St. John's College, Panadura
National school in Sri Lanka
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
St. John's College is a school in Panadura, Sri Lanka, that was founded in 1876. It is a National school with a student population of 3500 and staff of about 150
| St. John's National school | |
|---|---|
 | |
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Udahamulla, Panadura | |
| Information | |
| Type | National school |
| Motto | Sinhala: උත්සාහවන්ත පුද්ගලයාට කල නොහැක්කක් නොමැත Latin: Nihil Amanti Difficile |
Religious affiliation | Christianity |
| Established | 1876 |
| Founder | Mudliyar Susew de Soysa[1][2] Arnold Jansz (1882) |
Principal | Priyangani kannangara |
| Faculty | Commerce, Combined maths, Biology, Arts and Technology |
| Grades | Class 1–13 |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Age | 6 to 19 |
| Colours | Green, silver |
| Website | http://www.sjcpanadura.com |
History
St. John's College was initially known as 'Primary State English School' which had existed from about the middle of the 19th century.[1] In 1876 it received land and endowments from Wasala Mudliyar Susew de Soysa (1809–1881) as well as Sir Charles Henry de Soysa and was named 'St. John's College' by the Anglican Bishop of Colombo, Reginald Stephen Copleston. It was ceremonially opened by the Governor William Henry Gregory on 14 June 1876 (along with the Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa).[2]
In 1882, the headmaster, Cyril Arnold Jansz, was appointed as the first principal by the Bishop of Colombo of the Anglican church, at the request of the people of Panadura and has rendered an immense service for the upliftment of the school. Starting with 75 students the numbers raised gradually and in 1885 classes for girls began at St John's started by Mrs Jansz. The school celebrated the 125th anniversary during the year 2000.[1][2][3]
Battle of Greens
The annual big match is played between St. John's College and Panadura Royal College. It is known as the Battle of the Greens .[4]
Notable alumni
The alumni of St. John's College are known as Old Johnians.[5] Alumni include:
| Name | Notability | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Premasiri Khemadasa | musician, composer | |
| Ediriweera Sarachchandra | playwright, novelist, poet, literary critic, essayist | |
| Gunapala Piyasena Malalasekera | academic, diplomat | |
| Sir Susantha de Fonseka | member State Council - Panadura (1931–1947) | |
| Sir Bennet Soysa | member State Council, Senate, Mayor of Kandy (1949, 1954–1956, 1961–1962, 1968–1970) | |
| Edmund Peiris | Gate Mudaliyar - Panadura, Kalutara | |
| Wilmot A. Perera | philanthropist and member parliament - Matugama (1947–1956) | |
| Arthur V. Dias | independence activist, philanthropist | |
| Leslie Goonewardene | independence activist and member parliament - Panadura (1956–1977) | |
| Colvin R. de Silva | member parliament - Wellawatte-Galkissa (1947–1952, 1956–1960), Agalawatte (1970–1977) | |
| Lalith Athulathmudali | member parliament - Colombo (1989–1993) | |
| Reginald Perera | member parliament - Dehiowita (1947–1952), Senator (1959–1971) | |
| Percy Samaraweera | Chief Minister of Uva Province (1988), member parliament - Welimada (1965–1970, 1977–1988) | |
| Ravindra Pushpakumara | international cricket player (1994–2001) | |
| Charitha Buddhika | international cricket player (2001–2002) | |
| Sangeetha Weeraratne | actress |