Nalanda College, Colombo
When Ananda College was established in 1886, it attracted the attention of many Buddhists. Thus, in no time students were drawn in from all corners of the island, craving for education catered to suit their own culture. As a result, by the end of 1923, it was quite conspicuous that the infrastructure that was present could no longer cope, with the ever- increasing demand.
New Wing for Ananda… At that time the Ananda playground was located in Campbell Place, Colombo. Next to the playground was a stretch of land about one acre in extent. Mr. P. de S. Kularathne the then principal of Ananda College leased this land and moved in some junior classes of Ananda. These first classrooms were simply mud huts!
Mr. Kularathne registered this off shoot of Ananda as a separate school on the 1st November 1925. The day was so chosen because it was the 39th Anniversary of Ananda and Mr. L. H Meththananda became the first principal of Nalanda. Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maithriya was allotted the task offending a name and a motto far this new school. He named it ‘Nalanda’ and chose ‘Apadana Sobhini Panna’ meaning ‘wisdom beautifies character’ as the motto. Nalandians old and new have lived up to it; and will strive to do so in future as well.
The school has a student population exceeding 7500 across 13 grades from primary to secondary classes. The academic staff of more than 300 is led by Principal Iran Champika De Silva since 2023.
NALANDA COLLEGE UAE ALUMNI UAE
Nalanda UAE group was established on 22nd November 2014 as the alumni for Nalanda College UAE Alumni in UAE under the patronage of Mr Channa Welihinda. Since then, the group continued its activities as an informal group and was formalized at the inaugural Annual General Meetings held. The first executive committee was formed under the leadership of Mr Welihinda, who as the president worked diligently to get the Nalanda UAE group off the ground.
Over the past several years Nalanda UAE Alumni organized multifarious projects which spanned over infrastructure development of School and Nalandians in UAE. Since 2014 Nalanda UAE has invested in projects as a gratitude to Nalanda College. Leading from the front, the Executive Committee of Nalanda UAE in close collaboration with the college administration has been instrumental in the process of development of physical and human capital for the college.
Community activities of our forum had the intention of bringing the alumni and their families together whilst ensuring a strong bond among the members of the association. A special focus was given create support groups for Nalandians who visit or enter UAE for the first time thereby bridging the community gap and assisted them in numerous ways to adopt to a new country and culture.
The Nalanda UAE Alumni currently has over 175 members and continues its rapid expansion as a community group. The executive committee continues to reach out to Nalandians living in UAE to join hands with our forum with the motives of supporting and glorifying Nalanda College and ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of the members and their families.
