Old Boys Association (OBA)
During early British rule in Sri Lanka, Christian missionary societies began opening up English Schools all over-the country, with the active support of the government. The move was to benefit .,British rule by turning out English educated youth to man the lower levels of the bureaucracy, which was to help reduce administration costs by stopping the import of British to the lower posts. The covert aim was to perpetuate both the new religion and British rule by helping to create Western oriented Sri Lankan officials, who would help to implement British policy here. The religions and lay Buddhist leaders of the time realized the gravity of the lasting damage the offer effects of this policy would have on the indigenous religion of the Buddhist majority and their national identity. The news of the debates and the agitation that followed about the two religions spread far and wide and Colonel. Henry Steele Olcott who got interested in them came over here in I 880 and was very soon converted to Buddhism.
All Buddhist leaders rallied round him and the Buddhist Theosophist society was formed and soon began starting Buddhist English Schools in many parts of the country including the provinces. As the Buddhists were not that affluent, well funded or organized as the Christian organizations, enthusiasm had to be created and public support of the Buddhist policy enlisted. The desire spread to Badulla too and on the initiative of Mudliyar. D.N.Gunasekera representing the Kalutara Dharmadutha Society, a similar society was set up in Badulla too, in 1886 at lower street, with the active support of Muhandiram. D.C.Kotalawala. Mr. William fayasinghe who was a law student abandoned his law studies, returned and took over the lead to setup the Buddhist English High School which was handed over to the Dharmadutha Society in 1891.
By 1894 it was registered as a state aided school. It needed financial and other resources for its continuance and develop the philanthropy of Muhandiram. D.C.Kotalawala and Mr. D.N. Gunasekera helped ease the situation. The school underwent a name change and was named Dharmadutha College, in honor of the society which pioneered its establishment. During the time Mr. R.H.Gunawardena as English trained teacher took over as Principal and school made tremendous progress under his tutelage. By this time, the management of the school had been taken over by Sir. Henry Kotalawala on the death of his father Muhandiram. D.C.Kotalawala, He like his father was an entrepreneur, proprietary planter, social worker and politician. He was twice a member of the Legislative Council in 1921 and 1924 and was elected to both the 1′ & 2d State Councils in 1931 and 1936 respectively. His popularity with the people, his power and influence with the rulers combined with his philanthropy was ideally suited for the welfare of the School. His qualities combined with Mr., R.H.Goonewardena own sterling qualities of commitment to his job, loyalty to the school and the confidence he was able to instill in the minds of the general public, his regularity of attendance, good teaching, social discipline and love of sports worked wonders. The standard of education of sports and of discipline developed by leaps and bounds. The Old Boys Association of Dharmadutha College which had been formed in 1920 was a great source of strength to him. Besides helping to develop sports in the school the O.B.A impacted the sports section in Badulla in a big way, initially and gradually the District and the Country. The great bonds forget and the management and the strengths develops helped the Principal and the management to overcome the obstacles placed in the path to progress, by hostile forces.
More buildings came up on the two pieces of land called Sinhasanewatte and Pelapolwatte the two blocks of land leased out from the Kataragama Devale, Badulla. Funds were obtained through the proceed from Concerts, Dramas, Buddhist Carols and other fund generating projects with the active support of Mr. D.N.Dharmaratna, the Vice Principal a very versatile person good at teaching, maintaining discipline, Art, Music, Composition, Drama and public relations. While the Principal was the public face the Vice Principal was the common man’s friend. Mr: W.Weerakoon and some of the earliest teachers Mrs. M. Ratnayake and Mrs. C.Gunasekera two sisters of Mr Cyril Attanayake, one of the most loyal Old Boys, school has produced, played their support role in helping the Principal in laying the foundation for a sound and all-round education for students of the time. The overall development of standards of education was responsible for students being sent up for the Cambridge Senior and Junior examinations, London Matriculation and later the local School Leaving Examinations, School became a Senior Secondary School.
The Old Duthians Sports Club was formed in 1949 which soon contributed to the school dominating the local Sports scene in a very big way.
Around this time too virtually contemporaneous event took place in the history of the school which could normally have proved disastrous to the well-being of the school and satisfied its growth. These tragic events were the death of the stalwart a benefactor Sir. Henry Kotalawala and the retirement of our much adored and respected Principal Mr. R.H.Goonewardena. The impact of the loss of these two Colossuses was however overcome and the great damage that could have happened were avoided by the great efforts put in by the new Manager Mr. Gladwyn Kotalawala, the late Sir. Henry’s son who himself was a Member of Parliament for Buttala, M.B.E and later the Chairman of the National Lotteries Board, who ioined hands with Mr. S.K.Gnanamuttu BA(Lon) of the staff who towk over as Principal on his completion of his post-graduate Teacher Training. Being an English teacher of high caliber although not a local way to the occasion in a great way. With the action support of the Vice Principal Mr. Dharmaratna who helped him to relate to the Buddhist public and the Old Boys as well he continued the forward march to higher educational standards and of discipline using more innovative methods. The great rappot established between Sir Henry and OBA faced an initial setback with the new change but very soon the Old Boys began rallying behind the new Principal. A large number of Old Boys too began joining the staff and this infused greater enthusiasm and loyalty. A new building was built on the Pelapolwatte land by the new Manager from funds requested by his late father for the purpose. School was upgraded to the rank of a Grade 2 secondary Scholl. School had reached a stage when it could compare well with many of the prestigious Schools in the Country.
Very soon Mr. Gnanamuttu went to London to complete his post graduate Diploma in Education (Lon). However on his return after completing his studies abroad he relinquished and Rev W. Ratanawansa BA, took over as the first Buddhist Priest to be head of Dharmadutha in 1958 and continuous his good work until Dec 961. A Buddhist shrine room was built for the first time in the school.
This was a period of great change in education in Sri Lanka. There had been agitation in the Country against the continued domination of English education here by Christian missionaries, although they were only a minority of the population, much to the detriment of Buddhist education in general and the employment prospects of Buddhists, in government service, in particular. In 1960, the assisted chools take over act was passed by parliament and by order no 375 of 14.12.196 1 of the minister of education . Dharmadutha became a Director management School, as a first step of becoming a full pledged government school.
By 31.12.1961 Rev. Rathnavansa left on transfer and on 01.01.1962 Mr. D L iayasinghe one of our old boys who had continued his education at Dharmaraja College Kandy , graduated from the University of Ceylon and who, was already a teacher here since 1953, took over as Principal. His assumption of service as the first old boy to be the principal and his period of service were of great significance to the school. He brought back stability to the school after the turmoil created with the changing scenario in ownership and `management of the school, after the school’s take over and the reorganization of schools in Badulla, and created a period of great educational development.
The actual physical take over of the school took place on 1.08.1963 with Mr. L FI, Gunapala circuit education officer doing it on behalf of the education ministry. The enrolment which had been around 500 had risen to 900 by the time of the vesting of the schools with staff of 44 . This was created a feeling of euphoria in Badulla too as else where and the populace felt that best schools were now with in easy access to children from any strata in society and demand for involvement increased by leaps and bounce.
The ministry introduced changes by restructuring / reorganization of schools in Baddla too. It was a very traumatic period for most schools in Badulla and Dharmadutha , because most of the schools especially ours underwent major changes re composition of students, medium of instructions, staff and education facilities. Only medium of instruction continued here, the other being shifted elsewhere. The science stream was shifted for the ostensible purpose of throwing open science education to rural children too. However the ministry that any such changes amalgamation should not be at the expense of the welfare of Dharmadutha, a school of the majority and the G C E OIL also was continued and later science too reintroduced. Very soon the school became a double session school to coop with the demand for more admission, and enrollment rose to 1600 with the staff rising to 65. A new science lab came up and G C E A/L was started for the first time. The prevailing trend of Badulla students migrating for higher education to other cities stopped. The very first student who entered university direct from school came baU here to teach and .continue to this day. The very next one was a brilliant student joined the academic staff of the Sinhala Section of the Peradenya University and continues as a senior lecturer there and is very much a popular figure in academic circles he is non other than Dr Attanayake M Herath . So many others who didn’t enter university then, joined the Services , Army , Police, Prisons, Navy, Air force, Teaching etc.
Not only was school developing in studies catering to every higher education needs, which was new break from past but sports which had continued to enjoying pride of place at Dharmadutha continues to flourish. While superiority at Football and hokey continued greater participation in interschool sports at district & national level took place. The dominance of Old Duthians at the club level continued into the National level too, in sports in a great impact on our school’s sport. Athletics too including long distance running developed and students won national school level places too. Junior cadetting was started for the first time and Mr. Wickrama Jayalath BA became the first officer in charge of the Junior platoon and he himself took over as the senior cadet officer where he became principal later on.
Until the school’s take over, physical infrastructure facilities were .added solely with funds generated through the OBA parents, concerts , dramas etc and from the management with the change school was Fortunate to be able to add up to its land are athrough state funding Mailatha kumbura was acquired for the expansion of school, old building were renovated or demolished and replaced by new buildings and the foundation was lead was for a new two storied building on the new premises to be completed after 1973 during the tenor of the next principal. The loss oi’support due to the death of one benefactor and change of management was to a great extent compensated by state patronage which came through the good officer of Mr..B H Bandara MP and Deputy Minister for housing. A -new source of strength to the school was the birth of The Parent Teacher association augmented other support to help develop school’s standards more and more qualified staff joined and with improving standards school was progressing fast . The principal was promoted to the post of grade One Principal and with it happened the upgrading of the school.
I 972 saw the celebration of the biggest event in then school up to date., when the both anniversaries of the birth of the school was commemorated. Mr. fayasinghe the principal completed a post graduate course • in school administration and supervision under a British Council Fellowship and returned school, but soon after 1973 he received a promotion as education officer and joined the Ministry of Education. He had carved a niche for himself in the history of the school by dint of his service at a critical time and The Parent Teacher association awarded him a gold medal in honor.
Mr. W Jayalath BA Dip in ED — Vice Principal took over and while continuing the good work of his predecessors won the support of the Old boys, Parents and well wishers. He started GCE A/L science and commerce classes and admission to University increased more new buildings came up with state support received through Mr. Vincent Dias MP and deputy minister for housing, who is our old boy. He continues to help the school as a member of the provincial council.
On Mr. Jayalath’s departure Mr. Jinadasa Attanayake took over and during his time schools celebrated it’s centenary and school was elevated to the level of a National School . Subsequently the present principal Mr. Chandra Ovitipana Jayathilake took over and continues the good work of his predecessors with greater state support. The school now, is in everyway a fully fledged school.
We are happy and proud that we have in the past contributed highly to the well being of so many of our student who have in-turn done their share of service to the town, province, and the country for the greater good of our nation. We have produced great Teachers, Principals, Education administrators, Academics, Lawyers, Judges, Service Personals, Engineers, Doctors and even personal who man some of the•top most positions in the corporate sector in Sri Lanka.
We could re called Dr W S Karunaratne professor and Dean at the University of Ceylon, The brilliant scholar, wonderful creator, politician and Sri Lankan Ambassador to the USA, who joined Ananda for his Higher Education. He was one if not the most knowledgeable and charismatic persons who entered the portals of our great institution hadn’t he died early he would have served the country longer and better. We have produced soldiers of that caliber of Lt. Col Neil Akmeemana who sacrificed his life in the defense of the country. Brigadier Thularatne who continues to serve the army even after retirement and Maj. Gen Andrew Rathnayake who has migrated in retirement.
We have had dedicated old boys like Late D D Jayasinghe Municipal Commissioner and founder of Ofd-Duthians club ( One of the first provincial old boys club ) Mr. Cyril Attanayake sports man entrepreneur social worker and philanthropist , Mr. VV A linadasa long term secretary of the OBA and the ODSC. We have had old boys who became Meteorologists, Marine Engineers, and Radiologists etc. We have had great social workers who helped to set up and run elders home, Children home and so many charitable activities and worked for great international campaigns as Lionism has risen to high positions in the movement. We have produced entrepreneurs who have risen to shine in Business industry & Agriculture. We have produced great sportsman in Football, Hokey and athletics of National & International standards. We have sportsman who have presently held high positions in national level sport organizations and very prestigious clubs, and international Football and Hokey referees who have served International sports very well.
We have had politicians in the past who were our old boys who were Members of Parliament and Deputy Ministers and who helped school. We have had Late Mr. Percy Samaraweera MP, Deputy Minister, The Member of Provincial council and the Chief minister for UVA. HE was a great sportsman , a charismatic figure and great achiever , a very versatile person who served Uva very well. He, was of great help to the school.
We have amongst politicians who have been our old boys Mr. Vincent Dias — MP , Deputy Minister and member of Uva Provincial council has helped the school and the club immensely and would like that support to continue.
We have amongst us the most recognized politicians especially in Uva besides in the country and out side. He was a brilliant student and creator who joined Nalanda college for his higher studies to become a lawyer of great capture. He has been in the political area for a very long time and has served Badulla, Uva, Sri Lanka very well. In his path to success he has always been ready to help the school at every juncture when high caliber support of the state has been required. He is the longest serving Minister of health care & Nutrition in Sri Lanka and as President world health organization is .a shining light namely Mr. Nimal Siripala De Silva. We are certain he will continue to shine and serve the country long and well and take the initiation to launch, stream line are planned, development program which would equip Dharmadutha to face the challenges of the new millennium to produce a generation of young able to face up to all new changes able to line up to the highest aspirations of the society.
We have had great leaders of contemporary society from time to time added stations to our school by their graceful presence , the late members of the Sir Henry Kothalawala family , Ministers of education, Late Dr Budrudeen Mahmaud, Late Dr P B G Kalugalla, Late Mr. I M R A Erriyagolla, Late Mr. Lalith Athulathmudali, Hon W J M Loku Bandara the then minister of Education and presently speaker of the Parliament, amongst so many more dignitaries like Mr. K Balapatabandi former Secretary to the president and former Sri Lankan ambassador and Old boy.
We are certain our school which has had the hallowed of them and so many other guests in continue be a guiding light in the educational firmament of our country for a very long time. May all of us be able to support our Alma Mater to achieve its true potential.
Compiled by Duthian Mahinda Fernandoo
President of OBA 2006-2008
Presedent of O.D.S.C. 2009