Housing 37 youngsters in Pettah, the-then English Buddhist Academy was founded in 1886 by Col. Henry Steel Olcott and was opened to provide Buddhist students in Ceylon with a holistic English education. Ananda College came under the purview of the Government of Ceylon in 1961, following which it was
instated as a state school in Sri Lanka. Often dubbed as an “establishment” rather than a “school”, the college provides primary and secondary education from grades 1 to 13.
In the not-so-scenic surroundings of Maradana, Sri Lanka’s premier Buddhist school extends over a land area of 15.5 acres which includes classrooms, libraries, an English skills centre, science and ICT laboratories equipped with the finest of modern technologies. The school also comprises of a state-of-the-art swimming pool complex, sportsground, gymnasium, badminton, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts and a number of dancing and aesthetic activity rooms.
Its L. H. Mettananda hostel is home for students coming to Colombo from all part of the island. The Patrick de Silva Kularatne Auditorium stages the school’s topmost events during a year including the annual Prize Giving, Colours Night, Clubs’ Night etc.
As you enter the premises, the infamous quadrangle of Ananda College will direct you to the newly built 7-storeyed classrooms complex “Sathmahala” (සත්මහල) which is furnished with avant-garde technologies, making a student’s ordinary school day a smooth and enjoyable one.
No student, teacher or non-tutorial staff member passes by the most majestic “Budu Medura” (shrine room or බුදු මැදුර) without worshipping the statue of Lord Buddha. The “Samaadhi” Buddha statue (සමාධි බුද්ධ ප්රතිමාව) is to-date the third most-venerated shrine at any given time in Sri Lanka.
The crest of Ananda features the school’s colours maroon and gold signifying the fundamental ideals of Sri Lanka’s rich heritage and culture and the teachings of Lord Buddha. The school’s motto in Pali reads Appamādō Amathapadan (අප්පමාදෝ අමතපදං), which is a quote from the Apramaada Vagga (අප්රමාද වග්ග) in the Dhammapadaya (ධම්මපදය) translates to “heedfulness and punctuality leads to emancipation”.
Ananda is home to a variety of sports including cricket, swimming, track and field, basketball, rowing, water polo, hockey, gymnastics, badminton, tennis, table tennis, rugby, football, volleyball, baseball, karate, wushu, kabaddi, archery, weight and power lifting, boxing, mountaineering, chess and carrom. Notably, the school has produced a large pool of military personnel to the country owing to the distinct discipline inculcated into cadetting. Students are given the opportunity to choose army, navy or police cadetting.
Dina dina kitu gosa boovii – Vajambenu ananda pa maataa
Sudilii – Jayavii – Lovehii
Saadaa diilaa sipsata haa – Kala da vinea da pahadaa
Editara Sinhala daru kela sadalaa
Dina dina kitu gosa boovii – Vajambenu ananda pa maataa
Lakehii bo anandee paturaa
Anada terun se lo vada salasaa
Peavii seave nisaa veseavaa
Pamaada novemuu tiloona desusee
Dina dina kitu gosa bovii – Vajambenu ananda pa maataa
Anandai anandai anande ada anandai
Samma sambudu sugatha thatgatha sambudu pilimaya abiyasadee
Kelesun Duruwee Athyugalesadee
Anandai anandai anande ada anandai
Silgath thani sudu nelum kusum lesa, pehedi, pibidi pirisindu wee Munidun namadimu ath yuga hisadee
Anandai Anandai Anande ada anandai
Anadatha Paana …… Nopama Nipuno
Kumaratha Maana …. Gajathaa Piruno //
Bana Dam Danagena Haduno….. Vidu Nana Yaha Guna Piruno
Keli Lowa Dinawana Hapano
Rana Jaya Bima …. Rana Jaya Bima Maha Muduno
Pasu Man Nobasina Aththu …. Pera Man Hobavana Puththu
Anande Puththu….Api Ananda Puththu
Vedi Vassata Salen naa …. Adi Passata Haren naa
Anadatha Paana……. Nopama Nipuno
Kumaratha Maana….Gajathaa Piruno
Kala vile Siyapath Vu …… Nile Bale Aga Path vu
Elo Melo Suwa Path Vu ……
Anagathe …. Anagathe Pahapath Vu
Anuhas Athi Puthanuvo … Kothanath Raja Karanavo
Anande Puththu …. Api Ananda Puththu
Uruma Raki Pera Dine ….. Diyunu Lowe Peramune
Anadatha Paana …… Nopama Nipuno
Kumaratha Maana …. Gajathaa Piruno
Viharaye Ran Budu Ras …… Senahase Ran Kulu Ras
Eda Aadi Ran Kathu Ras Ape Kaale …… Ape Kaale Ran Sisu Ras
Vijathi Bala Theda Sindu ….. Lowema Hela Nama Randu
Anande Puththu …. Api Ananda Puththu
Eka Wage Nageawi ….. Anada Sarana Labaavi
Anadatha Paana …… Nopama Nipuno
Kumaratha Maana …. Gajathaa Piruno
Fritz Kunz Memorial Trophy – This is the school’s most prestigious life time achievement award given to the “Most Outstanding Anandian” passing out from the school each year.
Most Outstanding Sportsman (MOS)
Ananda Padma – Presented for outstanding achievement in sports as a student
Ananda Pradeepa – Presented for outstanding academic achievements at GCE (A/L)
The students are divided among four houses. The houses are named after four ancient Sinhala kings of Sri Lanka.
Parakrama
House Colour – Red
Vijaya
House Colour – Dark Green
Asoka
House Colour – Dark Purple
Gamunu
House Colour- Navy Blue
A need of the era during the British colonial period, an English education for the children of majority Buddhists of the country became a reality, when on 1st November, 1886, a daily English school was opened at No: 61, in Maliban Street, Pettah, pioneered by Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thero and inspired by Col. Henry Steele Olcott, the founder of Buddhist Theosophical Society (popularly known as BTS). Starting with a mere student population of 37, it was soon re-located at Paranavadiya in Maradana, where it blossomed into the present day pristine glory. Re-named “Ananda College “, after Buddha’s chief disciple Arahant Ananda, it earned a reputation as island’s Premier Buddhist Educational Institution for boys. Ananda College along with many fee-levying Private Schools, came under government’s control in 1961.
Nevertheless, it went from strength to strength offering Primary and Secondary education under Government curriculum. Its glamour as the main centre of attraction for those Buddhists seeking best education in a school which rose to Nations security when sovereignty of the State was at stake, Ananda is proud of having produced almost all Socialist Leaders of the pre-independence era. Incidentally, ‘PARANAVADIYA’ is the point where brave Sinhala forces loyal to the Monarch ganged – up against invasive Portuguese forces.
At present, Ananda College stands in a domain of 15.5 acres in Maradana, with several imposing buildings that house classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels etc. and a majestic Viharage (image-house) adoring the frontage. It is the second home to more than 8000 students across the Nation and holds state of the art facilities for sports activities and co-curricular activities.
The College flag and crest, which are designed in gold and maroon, represent the core values of Sri Lankan culture and Buddhist teachings. The College motto, which is in Pali – ‘Appamādō Amathapadan’, a Buddhist quote from the ‘Apramadha Vagga’ in the Dhammapada; means – heedfulness and punctuality leads to emancipation.
Since its inception, Ananada College has produced many eminent alumni, who contributed immensely to Sri Lanka. Such alumni continue to thrive in various disciplines such as religion, politics, Diplomacy, Military, Academic, Corporate, Sports, Judiciary, Medicine, Engineering, Media and Arts.
Dina dina kitu gosa boovii – Vajambenu ananda pa maataa
Sudilii – Jayavii – Lovehii
Saadaa diilaa sipsata haa – Kala da vinea da pahadaa
Editara Sinhala daru kela sadalaa
Dina dina kitu gosa boovii – Vajambenu ananda pa maataa
Lakehii bo anandee paturaa
Anada terun se lo vada salasaa
Peavii seave nisaa veseavaa
Pamaada novemuu tiloona desusee
Dina dina kitu gosa bovii – Vajambenu ananda pa maataa
Anandai anandai anande ada anandai
Samma sambudu sugatha thatgatha sambudu pilimaya abiyasadee
Kelesun Duruwee Athyugalesadee
Anandai anandai anande ada anandai
Silgath thani sudu nelum kusum lesa, pehedi, pibidi pirisindu wee Munidun namadimu ath yuga hisadee
Anandai Anandai Anande ada anandai
Anadatha Paana …… Nopama Nipuno
Kumaratha Maana …. Gajathaa Piruno //
Bana Dam Danagena Haduno….. Vidu Nana Yaha Guna Piruno
Keli Lowa Dinawana Hapano
Rana Jaya Bima …. Rana Jaya Bima Maha Muduno
Pasu Man Nobasina Aththu …. Pera Man Hobavana Puththu
Anande Puththu….Api Ananda Puththu
Vedi Vassata Salen naa …. Adi Passata Haren naa
Anadatha Paana……. Nopama Nipuno
Kumaratha Maana….Gajathaa Piruno
Kala vile Siyapath Vu …… Nile Bale Aga Path vu
Elo Melo Suwa Path Vu ……
Anagathe …. Anagathe Pahapath Vu
Anuhas Athi Puthanuvo … Kothanath Raja Karanavo
Anande Puththu …. Api Ananda Puththu
Uruma Raki Pera Dine ….. Diyunu Lowe Peramune
Anadatha Paana …… Nopama Nipuno
Kumaratha Maana …. Gajathaa Piruno
Viharaye Ran Budu Ras …… Senahase Ran Kulu Ras
Eda Aadi Ran Kathu Ras Ape Kaale …… Ape Kaale Ran Sisu Ras
Vijathi Bala Theda Sindu ….. Lowema Hela Nama Randu
Anande Puththu …. Api Ananda Puththu
Eka Wage Nageawi ….. Anada Sarana Labaavi
Anadatha Paana …… Nopama Nipuno
Kumaratha Maana …. Gajathaa Piruno
Fritz Kunz Memorial Trophy – This is the school’s most prestigious life time achievement award given to the “Most Outstanding Anandian” passing out from the school each year.
Most Outstanding Sportsman (MOS)
Ananda Padma – Presented for outstanding achievement in sports as a student
Ananda Pradeepa – Presented for outstanding academic achievements at GCE (A/L)
The students are divided among four houses. The houses are named after four ancient Sinhala kings of Sri Lanka.
Parakrama
House Colour – Red
Vijaya
House Colour – Dark Green
Asoka
House Colour – Dark Purple
Gamunu
House Colour- Navy Blue