More Detals Ceylon in the 1800s was a turbulent time when Buddhism was consistently undermined and deprived of its rightful place, and Buddhist students were destitute of an education. It was at such a tumultuous time that Col. Henry Steel Olcott together with Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera and Ven. Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera established what would eventually turn out to be Sri Lanka’s biggest Buddhist school, housing a student populace of over 6000; the then-English Buddhist Academy at No. 61, Maliban Street, Pettah – Ananda College. ANANDA COLLEGE More Detals Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (August 2, 1832 – February 17, 1907) was an American military officer, journalist, lawyer and the co-founder and first President of the Theosophical Society. Olcott was the first well-known person of European ancestry to make a formal conversion to Buddhism. ANANDA COLLEGE

Principal of Ananda

Assuming duties in August 2016, Mr. S. M. Keerthirathna is the 26th in the line of elitist figures to have taken up the office of Principal of Ananda College. Prior to his appointment to this prestigious position, he was the Principal of Ranabima Rajakeeya Vidyalaya, following which he was appointed as Principal of Dharmaraja College, Kandy, an office he held for 16 years. A graduate from the Sri Jayawardenapura University, Mr. S. M. Keerthirathna is a member of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service.

Executive President of the OBA

Dushmantha Karannagoda first joined the Old Boys’ Association’s Executive Committee in the late 90s as representative of the Old Anandians’ 75-80 Group. In his active years of service, Dushmantha worked his way to the top by being part of several fund-raising projects of the OBA, with the inclusion of chairing the main organising body of “Ananda 119 – Carnival & Fun Fair” and taking up the responsibilities of Joint Secretary, Vice President and immediate past Deputy President. During his tenure as Deputy President, the OBAs latest fund-raising scheme “Trailblazer” was introduced. This musical show featuring some of Sri Lanka’s finest artistes, performers and musicians brings about a substantial amount of revenue to the organisation, the proceeds of which are funnelled to the School Development Fund. Apart from his appointments to the executive committee, Dushmantha also served as President of the Old Anandians’ 75-80 Group and Secretary of the Old Anandians’ Sports Club (OASC).

At present, Dushmantha serves as Chairman of Marine Group of Companies which specialises in shipping, logistics and trading. He is a Fellow of the Association of Business Executives (UK) and a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK).

Old Boys’ Association

Ananda’s first Sinhalese Buddhist Principal and Minister of Home Affairs in the then-Ceylon established the Old Boys’ Association in 1908. With over a century of alumni, the organisation looks into the administrative work of old Anandians and extends a substantial service to the school in providing its students with a quality education and state-of-the-art amenities in terms of infrastructure, sports and extra-curricular activities.

Anandaya Newsletter

‘Anandaya’ is the by-annual magazine published by the Old Boys’ Association of Ananda College. A detailed record of activities of ACOBA, of Affiliated Groups, of a selected overseas group and of the school are reported in this magazine in order to acquaint past students, parents and well-wishers.

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The Annual General Meeting of 2019/2020 of Ananda College Old Boys Association (ACOBA) will be on Sa...

25 June, 2020

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