Piliyandala Central College

In the British colonial times which education was really for converting children into Catholicism in case to protect the rural Buddhist children from this incident, Rev. Mampe Saranapala Thero made the first move to make Piliyandala Central College a reality.[2]

As mentioned above in 1887 at the Mampe Temple in a small hut on which the roof was covered in Coconut branches, Rev. Mampe Saranapala Thero started the school all by himself. As time passed by this hut was no bigger enough for the continuous growth of students and Rev. Mampe Saranapala Thero was asking the leadership of the village for a new building for the school, but it didn't work that well.

Because of Rev. Mampe Saranapala Thero's great attempt, Mr. Kanonis Bass who lived in Moratuwa agreed to donate a vacant land for the school and with the continuous support of Dr. H.D.Koranelis, Registrar Mr. Remanis Wanigasuriya, Mr. D.B. Lewis Vidanarachchi, Dr. Kesbawe Senasekara, Mr. Velun and Mr. H.D. Kirineris in 1887 The school was started with future positive hopes.

Mr. Olaboduwe Jayasekara was the headmaster of the school and the school gained so many students of the area which Rev. Mampe Saranapala Thero decided to hand over the charge of the school to the Buddhist Theosophical Society for a much better-organized administration.

They Brought new land for the school but because of the rapid growth of the number of students even it was not enough, society failed to maintain the school and finally, the school was held to the government.

Afterward, the school proudly succeeded in many achievements. In 1920 as a part of a program of the British agent of western province Mr. Praiser, Piliyandala got a Public English Medium Mix School. The headmaster of this school was Mr. S.W. Sahabandu and the 2 schools ( The public English medium mix school & The Sinhalese medium boys' school) were divided by a building that a shape like a bird.

As the Madya Vidyala (Central College) Concept of Minister of education Mr. C.W.W. Kannangara, the two schools which were divided from 1920 to 1944 were united and formed Piliyandala Central College on 04th of January 1944, which later on 4th of March 1944 held the official event to convert the school into a Central College. The chairman of this event was a member of the Sri Lanka Parliament for Panadura & the deputy speaker of Sri Lanka Parliament Mr. Susanda Fonseka, Deputy Director of Education Mr. S.LB. Kapukotuwa and the President of the rural development society of Mampe-Kesbawa Mr. L.D.B. Wanigasuriya addressed the participation of the event. The First Principle of the college was Mr. D.M. Costa. On the 24th of November 1945, Central College Piliyandala had its first Prize Giving, and the chief guest of the event was Mr. C.W.W. Kannangara, student hostels were also opened on this day.

Central College Piliyandala has a massive variety of sports when it comes to being The First National Sports School in Sri Lanka. The Annual Cricket match also known as The School Big Match is an important part in the school sports which is known as The Battle Of The Salpiti - Raigam as it is an endless rivalry with Taxila Central College Horana.

The Battle Of The Salpiti-Raigam

The Battle Of The Salpiti-Raigam, is an annual cricket match between Central College Piliyandala & Taxila Central College Horana. This annual match is one of the most popular school big matches played outside the Colombo city area which has been played for 19 years since 2001. The big match was played for 2 days and a limited overs match (50 overs) also played usually in De Zoysa International Cricket Stadium.

Centralions cheering during The 18th Battle Of The Salpiti-Raigam

Defending Champions are Central College Piliyandala of The 19th Battle Of The Salpiti-Raigam 2020.

• Rev. Mampe Saranapala Thero 1887

• Mr. Olaboduwe Jayasekara 1887 - 1888

• Mr. M.D.J. Perera 1889

• Mr. S.W. Sahabandu 1920

• Mr. H.M. Costa 1944

• Mr. H.R. Fernando 1944 - 1946

• Mr. L.P. de Silva 1947

• Mr. W.K.P. de Silva 1948

• Mr. H.I de Silva 1949

• Mr. W.V.P Gunawardena 1950 - 1955

• Mr. H.I. de Silva 1956

• Mr. M.A.R. Koore 1957 - 1969

• Mr. D.B. Perera 1970

• Mr. M.B. Rathnayake 1971

• Mr. D.S. Senanayake 1972 - 1977

• Mr. K.S. Wikramarathna 1978 - 1984

• Mr. G.J.M.M. Fernando 1985 - 1987

• Mr. W.M.L. Wijesingha 2007 - 2012

• Mr. D.P. Udawaththage 2012 - Present

Each student is assigned to one of the four houses which are named after ancient Sinhala kings of Sri Lanka.

• Gemunu House
Colours: Dark Blue & Black   

• Wijaya House
Colours: Dark Green & Black   

• Parakrama House
Colours: Gold & Black   

• Thissa House
Colours: Maroon & Black   

An athletic & sports tournament among these houses is held once a year at the beginning of the first term. Wijaya House is the defending champion of 2020.

Wijaya House winning moment of the inter-house school sports meet 2020

• Education in Sri Lanka
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• Piliyandala Central College Official Website