St.Mary's College Nawalapitiya
A glimpse of the glorious past of St.Mary’s M.V.
v First and foremost, our revered tribute to the Founder of St. Mary’s M,V. Rev. Fr. D.H.N.Lima O.S.B. whose pioneering and relentless efforts of 23 years brought it up as a leading Educational Institution in Nawalapitiya.
v Rev. Fr. D.H.N. Lima, Parish Priest of Nawalapitiya. In 1915 set up St.Mary’s Mixed School with only 28 students on a portion of land donated by Imboolpitiya Estate.
v The rest of the land on which St.Mary’s now stands was gradually obtained with the co-operation of Muslims to cater to the increasing student population.
v Passing the nebulous years Mr.C.T.Lorage was appointed the First Principal in 1923 in which capacity he served for 7 years.
v The two strayed building was declared open by Bishop Bede Beekmeyer O.S.B in 1926.
v In1929 Mr Dharmadasa was appointed the Principal. He introduced Kandyan Dancing in Schools and the College Band was formed which was highly commended by the Colonial Secretary His Excellency G.C.M.Fletcher, when in attendance at the opening of the Fletcher Market at Nawalapitiya.
v Mr.Rogus Fernando was the Head Master of the Tamil and Sinhala Steams’
v Mr.S. Sugathapala was appointed the Principal. He was the first Buddhist Principal of a Roman Catholic English School. He established a record in securing 100% passes at the S.S.C. and J.S.C. Exams. and the school was closed on 26.I.1940 as a mark of recognition of the achievement of the girls section in obtaining 100%passes.
v In the forties there were three principals. Messrs Wilson. Gnanapragasam and U.J Perera.During this period St.Mary’s became a Govt.Assisted School. The study of Sinhala and Tamil was extended till the fith standard. Mrs. Warnakulasuriya, Messrs Samuel, Gomez, Muttiah and Anthonypillai served as Head Masters of the Primary Section.
v Extensions to buildings took shape during Rev.Fr.Barsenbech’s time (1947-1953) and Mr.R.Rajanayagam became the Principal in the fifties Rev. Fr.Jestus Sinnappu took a keen interest in Football and the playground was put into trim by Mr.Pieris, the Sports Teacher.
v The yeoman services of Mrs.I.Phillips at this juncture is gratefully.
v In1948 out of 265 pupils in the Primary Section 250 were in the Tamil Medium and Sinhala Medium and the Manager Rev.Fr.Barsenbech made application on 15.5.1950 for seperetion of the Sinhala and Tamil Sections.
v An Art Exhibition was held on the 27 th, 28th and 29th of May 1955.
v On 1.6.1960 the building space was 3200 sq.ft.
v On 27.1.1961 the Tamil Section was shifted to its old site and the handing over was done by Rev.Fr. Theodore Pieris.
v On 24.2.1961 twenty five Muslim students and furnitures were transferred from the Muslim Girls School to St. Mary;s Mixed School.
v From 3 3. 1961 all Muslim students were sent to the Mosque for Friday Jummah prayers at 12.00 and all the Catholic students were sent to the Church at 11.00 on the Friday of every month.
v Renovation to Tamil Section on 13.4.1962 at an expense of Rs. 429.50.
v All Teachers and the Principal opted to serve in Director Managed Schools on 26.11.1960.
v The number on roll on 6.10.1961 was 1121.
v The take over of the School by the Government was on 30.3.1962 and the principal at that time of take over was Mr.R.Rajanayagam.
At present our school has been converted as a muslim school due to the muslim majority.