Nalanda College Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Nalanda College has evolved from a humble branch of Ananda College in 1922 to become one of Sri Lanka’s leading Buddhist educational institutions.

FILE PHOTO

 Three presidents

By Mahinda Pathirage

It is indeed a proud and privileged occasion for both present and past Nalandians to rejoice, as their alma mater reached a memorable milestone on November 1, 2025, to celebrate a historic and commendable centenary.

On this celebratory day, it is most opportune to briefly reminisce about the fascinating origins of Nalanda College, which first functioned as a branch of Ananda College, before being registered as a separate and independent school, a fact unknown to many. 

The history of Nalanda College is deeply intertwined with that of Ananda College, and this bond of brotherhood between the two neighbouring schools continues unbroken and unsurpassed to this day. 

A Dip Into History  

The status of Buddhist education declined drastically in the pre-independent era of then Ceylon due to successive foreign invasions and dominance. As a result, Buddhist schools in the country fell to an all-time low by 1880. 

Against this backdrop, the arrival of American Theosophist Colonel Henry Steel Olcott in 1880 was both timely and significant — marking a definitive turning point in the renaissance of Buddhist education in the island. Upon his arrival, he embraced Buddhism and co-founded the Buddhist Theosophical Society (BTS) in Sri Lanka, which became the forerunner for establishing many new Buddhist English schools in the country. 

In 1886, through Colonel Olcott’s initiative, the first Buddhist English school was established in Pettah. Later, it was relocated to Maradana and re-established as Ananda College, thus began a new chapter in Buddhist education.

The Distinctive Kularatne Era

By 1922, as student numbers increased steadily, P. De S. Kularatne, then Principal of Ananda College, shifted several junior classes to a new location at Campbell Place -- near the Ananda playground.

Kularatne later constructed a new building with additional classrooms in this new locality and transferred around 300 Ananda students to the Campbell Place branch. 

Legend has it that this branch was called Ananda Vidyalaya, and even a ‘home and home’ big match between Ananda College and Ananda Vidyalaya was played at Campbell Place grounds, preceding the official ‘Battle of the Maroons’, Ananda Vs Nalanda, which began later. In fact, the Campbell Place grounds were shared by both schools for sports until Ananda established its own grounds at Maradana. 

Evolution Of Nalanda Vidyalaya

In 1925, Kularatne, recognised as a doyen of education with his mature foresight, prudently decided to establish entirely a new school on the same premises. Consequently, Nalanda Vidyalaya was born in 1925 at Campbell Place and registered as an independent school under BTS.

Most Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero, who was on the tutorial staff of the Ananda branch, proposed the name Nalanda and its motto, “Wisdom illuminates character”.

It is believed that Kularatne envisioned two leading Buddhist schools - Ananda and Nalanda - to meet the growing demand for Buddhist education then. 

Progression Of Nalanda Towards Its Goals 

Nalanda College, from its humble beginnings to the current stature as one of Sri Lanka’s leading Buddhist institutions, stands as a testament to the bold decision of its founder, P. De. S. Kularatne. 

Over the past ten decades, Nalanda has seen strong, steady, and impressive growth through its dynamic approach to both academics and sports. Its proud history is enriched by the contributions of visionary Principals and dedicated teachers who saw the institution’s progress. 

Throughout the years, countless Nalandians have brought fame, pride, and honour to their alma mater nationally and internationally as professionals, academics, leaders, and sportsmen. Their names are too numerous to list here due to space constraints. We salute them all for their brilliant achievements. 

Continuation Of Nalanda College Legacy

Nalandians remain ever grateful to belong to an institution that instills discipline, resilience, commitment, inspiration, and responsibility guided by timeless Buddhist values and traditions. 

Amidst a rapidly transforming world, Nalanda College continues to keep pace with vital structural and educational advancements, ensuring immense benefits for generations of students who have walked through its hallowed grounds. 

In this journey, the unwavering and united efforts of the Old Boys’ Associations -- Nalanda Old Boys’ Association (NOBA), Nalanda Junior Old Boys Association (NJOBA), and the Old Nalandians’ Sports Club (ONSC) -- have been invaluable. Their unstinting cooperation has been instrumental in every stage of development at Nalanda College. 

Equally praiseworthy are the continual and generous contributions received from our members attached to Nalanda OBA branches in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and the Middle East. Their consistent support and readiness to assist at any time are truly commendable. 

Generous donations from philanthropists, sponsorships from well-wishers and parents and contributions from silent benefactors have all played invaluable roles in shaping Nalanda’s success story, in both progressive education and Sports. Last but by no means least, the role played by the Schools’ Development Society (SDS) is well appreciated and welcome indeed. 

It is now our bounden duty to ensure that Nalanda’s current standards -- achieved through decades of dedication --  are not only well maintained but also enhanced as and when necessary. We must continue to add new facilities, meeting real-time educational requirements and challenging sports trends, so that both present and future generations of Nalandians would continue to flourish unhindered and unfazed. 

Nalanda College Centenary Building Projects 

The two mega projects costing Rs. 600 Million are a joint initiative by the three main OBAs of Nalanda College -- namely NOBA, JOBA and ONSC -- emphasising unity and strength across generations of alumni of Nalanda.

1.    Innovation Centre for Steam Education, which costs Rs. 300 Million 

The Principal of Nalanda College, Iran Champika Silva, together with his dedicated tutorial staff, continues to focus on enhancing educational standards and nurturing innovative thinking among students. In their quest to redefine modern education and align with global trends, Nalanda has initiated the establishment of a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Education Centre.

The state-of-the-art innovation centre aims to foster critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and problem-solving through activity-based and inquiry-driven learning. 

Furthermore, it will empower A/L students to explore both local and global opportunities, preparing them for careers in Technology and entrepreneurship in Tech start-ups too. The Opening of the centre is in November to coincide with the centennial celebrations. 

2.    Modern Sports Complex, whose estimated cost is Rs 300 Million

The foundation stone for the Nalanda College Sports Complex to be laid on November 1st, the day on which Nalanda reaches its centenary. 

This proposed ultra-modern sports Complex will include a fully equipped gymnasium and will provide facilities for both team and individual sports. The latest equipment will support physical and endurance training for players in various indoor and outdoor sports, as planned by experts to  enhance player performances. 

The sports Complex will feature a Basketball court on the ground floor and dedicated areas for Boxing, Table Tennis, Judo, Wushu, Karate and Board games, with ample amenities for young Nalandians of all ages to indulge in their favourite sports within school premises. 

Fund-Raising Projects 

During centennial celebrations, several key events are being organised especially for the Nalanda fraternity, who are indeed fortunate to be part of this unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pay tribute to their beloved seat of learning. It will be a time to reunite with friends, teachers, and contemporaries; to relive cherished memories of the past and to witness the remarkable transformation that Nalanda College has undergone since their school days.

It is truly a rare privilege that both present and past Nalandians should not miss, as none of us will be here to celebrate Nalanda’s next centenary.  Therefore, now is the ideal moment to express our gratitude and honour to the institution that shaped who we are today, by extending every possible form of support -- through sponsorships and contributions -–towards the ongoing Centenary Fund-Raising Project, jointly undertaken by the three OBAs.

The synergistic partnership among the OBAs has proven to be a strong and effective alliance in mobilising funds. They can take immense pride in the fact that the Innovation Centre is completed, and the construction of the Sports Complex will begin this month.  The Sports Complex is scheduled for completion within 18 months.

Undoubtedly, this is yet another major challenge for the three OBAs. However, they remain fully committed to seeing it through. A clarion call is made to all Nalandians, corporates, and well-wishers who may have missed out on sponsoring the Innovation Centre, to now step forward and contribute lavishly to this vital Sports Complex project. 

Further details regarding sponsorships/contributions could be obtained by contacting the Presidents of the respective OBAs, as listed below. 

Mohan Gunadasa 
Executive President,  
Nalanda Old Boys Association 
Mobile: 773077360
Dinuka Chandrarate
President, 
Old Nalandians’ Sports Club 
Mobile: 773039943
Heshan Padukka 
President,  
Nalanda Junior Old Boys Association 
Mobile: 772616727
Let us continue to make Nalanda College an exemplary force to reckon with, in both Education and Sports. 
The Writer is an advisor to the ONSC.