Vidyartha College

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Vidyartha College විද්‍යාර්ථ විද්‍යාලය
Address
Katugastota Road Kandy, Central Province Sri Lanka
Coordinates	7°18′21″N 80°38′09″E / 7.30583°N 80.63572°E / 7.30583; 80.63572
Information
Former name	King's College
Type	Government School
Motto	"විද්‍යා සර්වස්‍ය භුෂණම්" Education is the Best Jewelry
Religious affiliation(s)	Buddhism
Established	18 May 1942 (82 years ago) (1942-05-18)
Founder	Vidyartha Society
Principal	M. R. P. Mayadunne
Teaching staff	180+
Grades	1 – 13
Gender	Male
Age	6 to 19
Number of students	5,000+
Language	Sinhala, English
Color(s)	Navy, aqua and gold
Athletics	Yes
Sports	Yes
Affiliation	Vidyartha Society (1942)
Website	vimasa.net

Vidyartha College (Sinhala:විද්‍යාර්ථ විද්‍යලය) is an all-male national school located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The college was founded in 1942 by the Vidyartha Society, and is currently run by the Government of Sri Lanka.^[1] The college has two sections: the primary section which includes grades 1–5; and the secondary section which includes students in grades 6–13.

Although there were many educational opportunities for Buddhist children in the Central Province during the early 1900s, there was a lack of education in English ^{[citation needed]}. This deficiency led Sir Tikiri Bandara Panabokke to create the Vidyartha Society in 1939. Other contributors to this project were T. B. Panabokke, M. B. Panabokke, S. L. Ratwatte, A. C. L. Ratwatte, William Gopallawa (President of Sri Lanka), T. B. Ranaraja, A. B. Pinnawala, K. B. Wijekoon, R. Divithotawela, A. Rathnayake, G. D. A. Abeyrathne, Dr. L. B. Senevirathne, L. M. Koswatta, M. B. E.^[2] Senevirathne and M. B. Kulugammana. The Society eventually purchased a private school named King's College, which was located on a rise on Katugasthota Road. Later, the name was changed to Vidyartha College. The new college had forty students and six teachers, and the first principal was G. D. A. Abeyratne.^[2] On 1 August 1961, the government took control of the college and still maintains control today.^[2]

Vidyartha College quickly grew in popularity,^[3] with a hostel and main hall were added so that the college could accept more students; children in rural areas such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Monaragala being now able to attend Vidyartha.^[3]

In 1954, an Advanced Level of Examination was held at Vidyartha for the first time.^[3] The college has since added three programs: Science in 1958, Commerce in 1972, and Information Technology in 1994.

A Colombo branch was formed in 1987 by C. K. Gajanayake, who was its first President. Major-General H. M. N. Krishnaratne RSP USP (Rtd) is the incumbent President of the Colombo branch and Ranjith Weeerasinghe functions as the Honorary Secretary.^[3]

When the college was first established, it only had a few buildings, a principal, and 8 teachers. Today, there are nearly 5,000 students receiving their education in the college, with a teaching staff of more than 180.^[3]

Vidyartha Old Boys Association ^[3] is the strongest supporting body for the college; its members work to improve the college's qualities and standards, as well as its reputation. The association holds an Annual General Meeting where projects are decided on and committees appointed.

^[4]

The names of the college houses:

• Parackrama, colour : Blue  
• Wickrama colour : Maroon  
• Mahinda, colour : Yellow  
• Narendra, colour : Light blue  

Battle of the Babes is played annually between St. Sylvester's College and Vidyartha College since 1958 except for 3 years.^[5] As of 2023, 63 Big Matches have been played and, Vidyartha College has won 3 matches while, 45 matches were drawn.^[6]

• Battle of the Babes