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Mahanama Maha Vidyalaya
History
During the colonial
period in Sri Lanka in 19th Century , Matara
was also under the catholic missionary education. As a
consequence of this missionary education , Mahanama
Viduhala (then it was named S.C.P) was founded in a
temporary building at the latter part of the 19th
century.
It wad administered by
the Anglican church (Lanka Sabhawa) ; and it was
popularly crown a great service to the people in walgama
through the catholic missionary had their own ulterior
motive. Scholl thus provided a great education service
to student from Polhena , Walgama , Madiha ,
Wewahamanduwa , with the increase of student population
, the education department entrusted the missionary
commission to acquire the necessary land. Mr. Don
Gabrel Dias was appointed as principal in 1905.As the
missionary commission was unable to fulfill the needful
, the then well-known philanthropist Muhandiram (a
respectful title). D.N. Weeratunga constructed a School
building and since then , the missionary school under
the administration of the Anglican church (Lanka Sabhwa)
was for the boys and there were classes only up to Grade
8.
The pundit, Mr. K.D.
Kulathilaka who came from Kurunegala , was appointed as
principal on 25th November 1925. He was the
principal until 31st March 1944; it was a period of
renaissance. He commenced a class for senior school
certificate in 1977, and there was a bug turnout of
students for it. Most of them who got through this
examination , turned out to be teacher.Mr. M.L Darmish
was thereafter appointed as principal on 1st
September 1944 and his tenure lasted only a short period
until 12th May 1952.Since 12th May
1952, Mr. G.L. Peiris was deputizing as principal until
12th December 1952.
On 12th
December 1952 Mr. K.Manamperi was appointed as
principal. He served as principal until 9th October
1964. It was a golden era of the school. He re launched
the classes for senior school certificate. Which caused
to produce teacher, clerks and more government
employees.
He had the cad jam
thatched roofing replace with tiles with the unwavering
assistance of the village. At the same time, the
philanthropist and an inspector on sudden deaths Mr.
Arthur Weerathunga donated, His adjoining land to the
school for the school playground. This is one of the
best playground in the Matara educational segment.
In 1959 , the
parliament passed a bill to acquire semi-government
school. So S.P.S.M became a government school on 1st
December 1960.By then, this alma mater was content of
having produced outstanding citizens to Sri Lanka.
The landmark in the
history of this school was that it was upgraded to “Maha
Viduhala”
This educational institute
has been proud to have produced luminaries in different
fields of professions. With bettor results in the senior
school certificate examination and the ordinary level
examination.
The school was
then elevated to a maha viduhala in 1963. The then
Principal Mr. K. Manampaeri and the then mp for matara
Mr. Mahanama Samaraweera and some elite in the area
contributed a lot in this act .
As a consequence
of thin act, an Old Students’ Association was also
established in 1963. The old students who gathered there
on this Occasion donated a building to the school.
After Walgama
Viduhala was converted in to “maha viduhala”, Mr. K.
Manamperi was the first principal of the school. He was
a great principal who was committed for the development
of the school. Then the classes from grade 6 to the
Advanced Level classes were housed in Maha Viduhala and
in the primary section; classes from Grade 1 to Grade 5
were housed in the building opposite in the Girl’s
school. The two schools had by then been amalgamated. In
1964, the advanced level classes in the Art’s stream
were commenced: these school was well staffed with
veteran teachers for Arts, Handicraft, Music and
Handicraft. In the university entrance examination,
eight students were selected in the same year. They are
new top grade executive officers. The first ever sports
meet was held under the able-guidance of the principal,
Mr. K. Manamperi in 1964. It was a great attraction to
the area.
The demise of the principal
Mr. K. Manamperi occurred in 1965. Mr. M. K. Martin
administrated as principal from 09th.10.1964
to 10th.02.1965, his successor was Mr.
B.D.B.K. de Silva from 10th.02.1965 to 01st
05.1965. Mr. H.G.S. Rathnaweera was appointed as
principal in 1965. He revived the glory of the school;
his tenure was from 03rd.05.1965 to 29th
09.1969. During his period a student brought a great
honor to the school by winning the first prize; a gold
trophy in World’s Art Competition of Shanker. The
students continued entering the university from then
on.
Mr. H.M. Wickramarathna was
the principal from 01st .01.1969 to 21st
05. 1970. The Independence Day was then planned to
celebrate in Matara with this event. All the schools in
Matara were to be repaired and restored; Mr. H.M.
Wickramarathna was a leading figure in this tread task.
Mr. C.A. Wijeweera was thereafter appointed as principal
from 22nd 05.1970 to 03rd.
10.1975. During this period maha viduhala (senior
school) and kanitu viduhala (junior school) were
separate administration entities. With the new school
reform bill passed by the parliament on 20th.10.1970.
These two administration entities were amalgamated.
The Commerce stream classes
were commenced on 01st.01.1971. With this
amalgamation, a new PTA (Parents & Teachers’
Association) was established. The PTA is still an active
partner in the progress achieved by the school.
During the period from 1970
to 1977, more facilities were provided to the school. A
new building for a library was built with the assistance
from the Walgama rural development society and the PTA.
Then, the science stream classes were commenced on 01st.01.1972.
In 1977, classes for commerce and management studies
were commenced. With the collaboration of the villagers
and the elite in the area; a building for a science
laboratory was built. It was a great contribution of the
then vice principals Mr. Sarath Wimalasinghe and Mr. H.T.
Dayananda.
Mr. B.Y. Thudawa who was
the deputy Minister of Education from 1970-1977 assisted
in many way. He provided the financial support in
building a building for the commerce stream students, a
laboratory building for the advanced level science
students and some other buildings as well. The
Philanthropist Mr. E. W. Richard had a Buddhist Shrine
room built for the school on 16th .05.1997
with the retirement of Mr. Sarath wimalasinghe, Mr. H.
T. Dayananda was appointed.
For the advanced level
science students and some other buildings as well.
Philanthropist Mr. E. W. Richard had a Buddmst Shire
room built for the school on 16th .05.1997
with the retirement. Of Mr. Sarath wimalasighe , Mr. H.
T. Dayananda was appointed.
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