History of a School

The imperialists completely subjugated our motherland, carrying out administrative activities according to their will, and established missionary schools in Sri Lanka with the aim of spreading their religion.

In accordance with the Colebrooke-Cameron reforms, schools modeled after the English system were introduced to the Sri Lankan government. The school started as the Colombo Academy in 1835 is known today as Royal College, Colombo.

In that manner, during the period when missionary schools were being established in each main city, the Paramadhammacetiya Pirivena in Ratmalana was founded in 1841 by Sri Siddhartha Nahimi as an effort to revive Buddhist education. This effort resulted in the establishment of the Vidyodaya Pirivena in 1873 under the leadership of Sri Sumangala Nahimi of Hikkaduwa.

In the year 1875, Vidyalayankara Pirivena was started under the leadership of Sri Dharmaloka, Prefect of Ratmalana. These groups have now become universities. In 1880, as a result of the efforts of the pioneers Parama Vijnanartha Samiti, Helena Blavatsky, and the American Henry Olakat, the Ananda Vidyalaya was established under the name of English Buddhist schools in 1886, and the Dharmaraja Vidyalaya in Kandy in 1880. Education in Sri Lanka was at an important juncture.

In 1875, under the leadership of Sri Dharmaloka Nahimi of Ratmalana, the Vidyalankara Pirivena was established, which has since developed into a university. As a result of efforts a prominent figure of the The Paramawijnanartha Society,by Rusiyan Helena Blavatsky, and American Henry Olcott to promote Buddhist education, English Buddhist schools were founded: Ananda College in Colombo in 1886, Dharmaraja College in Kandy in 1887, and Maliyadeva College in Kurunegala in 1880. These establishments marked significant milestones in Sri Lanka's education history.

During this period, Anagarika Dharmapala, who was associated with Henry Olcott's movement, started more than 300 Buddhist schools across the country. Accordingly, the first school in the Nikawagampaha Korale was established in 1891 as the Bora Wewa Vidyalaya, Fifteen years later, in 1905, a school was started in Nikkewa Henogama village called Madagalle School, and due to its difficulty, the present Nikkewa Central Collage was brought near Nikawewa 1911, according to history.

When considering the socio-economic and political background of the time when schools were started in areas like Nikawewa and Bora Wewa, it becomes evident that the leaders involved were directly connected to the anti-imperialist rebellion led by Weera Keppetipola in 1818. Moreover, several prominent monks who held high positions in the Temple of the Tooth, which plays a key role in the country's Buddhist heritage, originated from villages like Galgiriyawe and Bora Wewa.

In such a context, these schools might have been established as educational centers. According to records, the founding principal of Nikawewa Vidyalaya was a gentleman named Bulupitiya, followed by a gentleman known as T.K. Nikaweratiya. Subsequently, Don Pedrick administered the school from September 10, 1912, to May 6, 1923. During this period, diseases like hookworm disease and Pandu diseases were prevalent, and taking medicine on Fridays was mandatory in schools.

After Don Pedrick's tenure, E.W. Perera managed the school from May 7, 1923, to June 24, 1924. From June 1924, D.A. Rajapaksha served as the principal until January 1915 for six months. Following that, W.P. Dissanayake, also known as Pilaesse Loku Mahattaya, administered the school from January 8, 1925, to December 15, 1958, for an uninterrupted period of 34 years.

During this time, Professor Vimal Dissanayake, who gained experience in poetry through his father, created works such as "Nagala Kanda" and "Diye Gilunu Ayiyandi," stating that the school environment greatly inspired his creativity.

About the principal W.J. Dissanayake Mr.H.M.D.B. Herath, a living retired principal who is one of his students and later became famous as a principal of this college, remembers his teacher with great devotion.

After this, in 1959, B. M. Ranbanda served as the primary teacher in the Borawewa area until December 28, 1962. During this period, specifically on June 1, 1961, the school was elevated to the status of a major school. A significant period followed when R. M. P. B. Hangilipola assumed duties as the principal on January 1, 1963. During his tenure, the school took a new direction, producing a large number of students who were granted university degrees, many of whom have become professors serving both locally and internationally.

One of the first students to receive university degrees during the Hangilipola era, retired District Education Director W. M. Surasena Wasala, remembers his teacher with great reverence.

Following the end of the Hangilipola era, T. M. Ratnayake, the father of the current Inspector General of Police, Deshabandu Tennakoon, served as the principal from April 10, 1973, for approximately one year. Subsequently, on February 18, 1974, D. A. Sumathipala took over as principal. Then, on September 22, 1977, R. M. B. P. Abogama assumed the role. From March 1, 1978, S. M. Gunasekara served as principal, followed by Premasena Udugampola, an exceptional principal, who began his tenure on June 1, 1979, leading the school through another significant period.

Later, the previously mentioned H. M. D. B. Herath held the position of principal from November 20, 1982, to November 25, 1993, performing outstanding service during his tenure. Significant developments during his time included the construction of a three-story building, an assembly hall, pavilion and play ground, a gymnasium, and a home science section.

Afterwards, from November 25, 1993, to July 2, 2003, H. M. M. Bandara served as the principal, continuing to develop the school. During his tenure, Nikawewa School was elevated to a Central College. From July 2, 2003, under the administration of Principal S. B. Dissanayake, the school progressed under the e-Village concept, equipped with internet facilities to meet the educational needs of the 21st century. During this period, a new awakening in education occurred with the establishment of the Mahindodaya Science Laboratory and the introduction of Advanced Level streams in Mathematics and Science.

Subsequently, for a brief period, W. M. Gunasinghe and Sisira Rajapaksha served as acting principals. Following them, permanent principals E. M. D. B. Eka Nayaka, E. M. A. Eka Nayaka, and Sanath Priyashantha served from 2017 to February 17, 2024. It is believed that the school experienced some setbacks during this period due to the impact of the 2019 terrorist attacks and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Nikawewa Devanampiyatissa Central College has now been designated a national school. An observer of the school's physical and human resources would see that it is well-positioned to provide excellent education to the children in the area. The school caters to approximately 700 students from grades 6 to 13, with around 60 teachers. The school has established many resources and staff to offer opportunities for learning in various streams, including Advanced Level Mathematics, Science, Commerce, Arts, Agriculture, Technology, Information Technology, and Languages.

Additionally, the school provides an uninterrupted 13-year education with three well-equipped smart classrooms.

Under such a foundation, the Education Ministry's recent educational reforms, specifically the 'Cluster of Schools' project, will significantly contribute to the school's development. Effective management of human and physical resources is essential for this. Enhancing the students' sanitary facilities and ensuring the safety and organization of classrooms through building renovations are necessary steps. The goal is to establish ten new smart classrooms and improve the Ordinary Level examination results to 100%, as well as increase the number of students gaining university admission to 25. The ultimate aim is to proudly lead Devanampiyatissa School as the pioneer in the education of children in the area.