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First Buddhist school - G/Piyaratana Maha Vidyalaya seeks public support for survival
Pioneers to perish?
By Prof. W.M. Karunadasa
The first Buddhist school in Sri Lanka - G/Piyaratana Maha Vidyalaya is located between the 64th and 65th mile post along the Galle-Colombo main road in the Southern Province. It was highlighted by the media that this school is deteriorating and faces collapse if unattended by the relevant educational authorities and the public.

It may be of historical interest for many Sri Lankans, particularly the Buddhists to know about the pioneering role played by this school, and the efforts made by the founder of this school in promoting national education in Sri Lanka.

Historical records speak of the valiant role played by Piyaratana Tissa Nayaka Thero - the founder of this Buddhist school - who challenged the missionary education in Ceylon.

The saga of this school dates as far back as 1869. That was the time when the missionary schools and the government authorities attempted to suppress Buddhism and the setting up of native schools.

The school was initially known as Jinalabadhivishodhana (in love of Buddha) and was re-named after the demise of Piyaratana Thero by his pupil, Siridhamma Thero, who had been the immediate successor and the chief incumbent of the Temple.

Historical documents further indicate that Piyaratana Tissa Thero through a society known as Lokaratha Sadhana Sangamaya that he founded engaged in a valiant battle to get his school registered with the then educational authorities. Historical records indicate that many leaders during the period of Buddhist revival had worked with Piyaratana Nayaka Thero and visited the dhamsabha mandapa of Silabimbaramaya where many discussions were held on matters pertaining to Buddhist education. Veteran Buddhist priests like Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala and Migettuwatte Gunananda (the chief debator of Panaduravadaya) and clergymen like Anagarika Dharmapala and Henry Steele Olcott were among the close associates of this Thero. They exchanged letters on various topics in addition to visiting this temple located adjacent to this school.

Henry Olcott, an American national formed the Theosophical Society and helped in promoting Buddhist native schools like Mahinda College in Galle, Ananda and Nalanda Colleges in Colombo and Dharmaraja College in Kandy and schools in other parts of the island. Olcott was first administered Pansil by Piyaratana Nayake Thero. Impressed by the activities of the Thero, Olcott contributed much needed financial assistance and laboratory equipment to this school including a 8-mm projector, the first of its kind brought to the island (which is now in the possession of an outsider and worthy of preservation as cultural heritage of Buddhist Revival).

Begun in a cadjan shed, Piyaratana Vidyalaya grew to be one of the best schools in the Southern Province. Soon it was attracting students from distant places like Ambalangoda, Galle, Kalegana, Katudampe, Boossa, Kumarakanda, Hikkaduwa, Telwatte, Gonapinuwala, Thirangama, Rathgama and surrounding areas. It had one of the best science laboratories. Many students who studied in this school including my contemporaries of the 1940s and 50s have either entered top administrative positions or senior positions in the government service.

Past students of the school are hopeful that Minister of Cultural Heritage - Vijitha Herath and the Prime Minister, Minister of Education, relevant authorities of provincial education and all Parliamentarians will help in preserving this school as a place of "Cultural Heritage".

Subsequent to the media reports an ad-hoc committee was established by a few old boys a few months ago. A full session of the old boys and girls has now been summoned today December 5, 2004 to establish a steering committee for fund-raising and mapping out future strategies to overcome the present debacle of the first Buddhist school.

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