Old Boys' Association, Sri Sumangala College, Panadura, Sri Lanka

History of Sri Sumangala College

Sri Sumangala College was established in Panadura on March 03, 1909 (popularly known as "Town Branch" at latter stages), in a land belonging to Rankoth Vihara Temple just 25 km south of Colombo, fulfilling the vision of six Philanthrophists of Panadura, namely, M Cornelis Perera, together with Mudliar Thomas Rodrigo, M. Mathes Salgado, P. C. H. Dias, P. Lewis Dias and P. Domingo Dias. The prime idea was to deliver an education to the children of Panadura, in English at a standard equal that of a Colombo school. The first Principal was Mr. Thomas E. Gooneratne who held the principalship for three years.

The school was further expanded with the help and contributions from the philanthropists / old boys. The foundation stone for the new building was laid on 24^th of March 1940 by Mr. P de S Kularatne, an Educationist of great repute on a land gifted by the first student of the College, Mr. M. Walter Salgado and situated at Nalluruwa, about one-and-a-half Kilometres south of Panadura town. The new building was to be ceremonially opened by the Governor of Ceylon, H.E. Andrew Caldecott on the 7^th of August 1942, but due to unavoidable circumstance it was declared opened by the Governor's Legal Secretary, Mr.H. B. Nihill on behalf of the Governor. This event marks the beginning of expansion of our Alma Mater in the new premises and the first Principal was Mr. P.J. Jayaratne. The establishment of Sri Sumangala College was a boon to those who sought higher education in English.

Sri Sumangala College with Principals like Abeyseela Ginige, during whose time the College executed a variety of extra - curricular activities.

Even the Old Boys' Association was established under his auspices on 28^th of October 1922, after 13 years after the establishment of the College. The management, which complied with the wishes of the Principals, granted Free Education in 1946. University Entrance classes were commenced in 1955 under Mr. K L V Alagiyawanna with a host of highly qualified Teachers, and had a success rate of about 85% in the very first year. During this period College achieved the Island's Best Results in the University Entrance Examination.

The "Town Branch", which housed the primary section of the school, was shifted to Nalluruwa in 1993 and the Principal at this time was Mr. D. E. Jayanetti. During this period, the College was among the 35 schools in Sri Lanka to be classified as a National School in the very first year of the classification system introduced and is considered the leading school in Kalutara District. However, due to ever-increasing demands for student admissions to Sri Sumangala College, and restrictions in the funds available to College from the Government, it has become an urgent need to carry out identified Priority Projects for the upliftment of the College for the welfare of the students and to make the environment conducive for students. The College has a student population around 4000 by year 2004.