Dharmasoka College

Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda, is a leading mix school in Sri Lanka. The college was established in 1913.

It is one of the educational institute supported by the Buddhist Theosophical Society led by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, and accordingly is one of Sri Lanka's oldest schools. It provides primary and secondary education.

Coordinates: 6°55′30″N 79°52′09″E / 6.925°N 79.86917°E / 6.925; 79.86917

Dharmasoka College
Motto	Vidya Dadathi Vinayam (Buddhist quote in the Dhammapada. Meaning: "Knowledge generates humility")
Established	1913
Type	Public
Religious affiliation	Buddhist
Principal	Mudliar S. Thomas De Silva Esq.(1913 - 1917)
Location	Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka
Colours	'Blue and silver
Website	http://www.dharmasoka.sch.lk

Location and size

Dharmasoka College is situated in Ambalangoda within the administrative distrrict of Galle, Sri Lanka. At present, it consists of over 6,000 students and about 250 members of the academic staff.

History in brief

In 1913, The college was established with only 15 students by its founder Mudliar S. Thomas de Silva Esq. who spent his own wealth for the establishment and development of the college.

On April 10, 1929, the Sugatha Sasanodaya Samithiya (a benevolent society) took over entire administration of the college. The Government of Sri Lanka took control of the college in 1961.

Dharmasoka College is one of the top graded Buddhist schools ever established in 19th century. It has been rapidly developed in a large scale. The name “Dharmasoka” has been popular not only in the Southern region of Sri Lanka but also in the whole island.

The college has maintained it's high standard in education, extra curricular activities and also in discipline over the years as well. Approximately,100 students are selected to the local universities in each year.

The college has been introducing many great personalities who serve in both localy and internationally in various fields of the society.

Principals

Mudliar S. Thomas De Silva Esq. (1913 - 1917)

Mr. E. Ginige (1917 - 1921)

Mr. A.M. Nathaniel (1921 - 1923)

Mr. G.M. De Silva (1923 - 1927)

Mr. E.A. Wijesooriya (1928 - 1933)

Mr. F.R. Jayasooriya (1934 - 1938)

Mr. D.T. Wijerathna (1938 - 1947 and 1953 - 1961)

Mr. P.De S. Jasenthuliyana (1947 - 1953)

Mr. K.K.V.S. De Silva (1961 - 1965)

Mr. M.D. Wimalasooriya (1965 - 1975)

Mr. N.E. Fernando (1975 - 1980)

Mr. G.W.W. De Silva (1980 - 1982)

Mr. B.H.H. Wimaladasa (1982 - 1984)

Mr. H.S.N.K. Fernando (1984 - 1986)

Mr. A.G.I. De Silva (1987 - 1998)

Mr. M. Premaseela De Silva (1999 - 2001)

Mr. D.M.G. Anura Jayalath (2002 - 2004)

Mr. K.M.G.B. Jayasooriya (2004 - 2007)

Mr. S.J.P .Wijesingha (2007 -2010)

Mr. M.G.O.P. Panditharathna (2010 up to now)

Sokians

The term of "Sokians" is being used to call the students of Dharmasoka College.

Alumni

Following is the list of some illustrious Sokians, they being alumni of Dharmasoka College

Clergy

Ven.Ambalangoda Vajirawansa Thero (Presently in Thailand)

Parliamentarians

Hon.Gen.G.H.Sarath Chandralal Fonseka-Ex.M.P

Hon.Sunil Handunneththi-M.P

Hon.Anagarika R.Thilakasekara -Ex.M.P

Hon.Buddhika Kurukularatne -Ex.M.P

Hon.Ariyapala Walpitagama- Ex.M.P & Former secretary of Ports & Shipping. Hon J.L.Sirisena (Jasenthu Liyana Sirisena)- Ex.M.P & Former Cabinet Minister of Social Service

Hon.Nandimithra G. De Zoysa -Ex.M.P & Former State Minister. Judiciary His Lordship Justice Sisira de Abrew-Judge of the Court of Appeal

His Lordship Justice K.T.Chitrasiri-Judge of the Court of Appeal

Hon.C.P.Keerthisinghe-High Court Judge

Hon.Dudly Karunaratne-High Court Judge(Retired)& Chairman of the Mediation Board for Elders under the Judicial Service Commission

Hon.Kumar Ekaratne-High Court Judge(Retired) & Additional Secretary to Ministry of Justice

Hon.Sarath Karunaratne-District Judge(Retired)

Hon.A.M.A.Wasantha Kumara-District Judge

Hon.S.S.K.Withana-District Judge

Hon.K.D.L.Saman Kumara-District Judge Other political figures (non-parliamentarians) Hon.Shan Wijayalal De Silva - Chief Minister of Southern Province

Late.Mr.Rohana Wijeweera -Ex.Leader of People's Liberation Front (J.V.P). Administrative Service Officials Dr. Neela Gunasekera

Dr. Damitha De Zoysa-Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries

Mr.W.W.Mahinda Deshapriya -Commissioner of Elections

Mrs. Upuli GOONESEKERA- Additional Director of Education, Western Province

Mr. Chandana Thilakaratne Opathawithana-Divisional Secretary/Akuressa.

Kala Vibushana Mr.Padmaseela De Silva, BA;SLAS-Former Director Small Industry,Secretary to Industrial Ministry..

Dr.K.G Udaya Kumara Indrarathna - Government of Dubai: Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing -Executive Director: Policy & Strategy Military,Police & Prison General G.G. Sarath Chandralal Fonseka-Ex.Army Commander & Chief of the Defence Staff

Air Marshal Jayalath Weerakkodi -Ex.Air Force Commandor & Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan

Mr. Indra De Silva -Ex.Inspector General of Police

Major General N.D.Fernando

Major General Kapila Hendawitharana

Major General Sunil De Silva

Major General Sanath Karunaratne

Brigadier Rangit P. Witana

Mr.Indradasa Godahewa-Ex.Director of National Inteligence Bureau

Mr.T.N.De Silva -Ex.Deputy Inspector General of Police

Mr.N.Dhanasinghe-Commissioner of Prison Medical Prof. W.I Amarasinghe, FCOG(Sri Lanka), FRCOG(Gt. Brit.) Former Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Peradeniya Sri lanka Dr.Amal Harsha De Silva -Western Provincial Director of Health Services

Dr Pinnaduwage Ariyaratne De Silva, OBE (for services to Medicine & Health care in the United Kingdom), FRCP (London), FRCS (Edin), FRCS (Glas), FRCOG (Gt.Brit.), FCOG (Sri Lanka), Formerly Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist (Ministry of Health, Sri lanka attached to BH Matale 1983 - 1987 & BH Nuwara Eliya 1988). Laterly, Consultant Physician Dewsbury and District Hospital, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom (1990 -2009) Dr.Sri Lal De Silva -Consultant Paediatrician

Dr.Sumanaseela De Silva - Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, UK ; Assistant Professor St Georges Medical School, Granada,USA

Dr. Dr.Sunil De Silva -Consultant Psychatrist

Dr.Muditha Jayatilake - Deputy Director General of Health services

Prof.Sarath Lekamwasam - Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna

Dr.K.D.Mahinda- Senior Lecturer,University of Ruhuna

Dr.Janaka Lenora - Senior Lecturer, University of Ruhuna

Dr.Shanthi Paranawithana - Asst Prof. University of Hampton, USA

Dr.P.Warusavithana-Consultant Anesthetist

Dr.E.L Chandrakantha-Consultant Paediatrician

Dr.Senaka Rajapaksha,MBBS,MD,FRCP - Head of the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,University of Colombo

Dr.Ruwan Fernando MBBS.MS.MD.MRCOG. Consultant Obstetrician & Urogynaecology Subspecialist.Clinical Senior Lecturer, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London , UK Legal Late Mr.A.R.C. Perera-Attorney General of Dominica Islands in West Indies(at the time of his death) and Ex.Deputy Solicitor General of Sri Lanka

Mr.Patrick de Alwis -(Attorney-at-Law) Ex.Chairman of Sri Lanka Press Council

Pettagan Saman De Silva - ( Deputy Director Sri Lanka Customs)

Engineering Prof.Sisil Kumarawadu -Director, Eng.Research Unit, University of Moratuwa

Mr.T. Sudath Priyantha De Silva-Director(Operation), Public Utility Commission of Sri Lanka Dr.Kasun de Zoysa, Senior Lecturer, University of Colombo (School of Computing) Architects Mr.M.W.Jinendralal De Silva

Mr.Diluk Dayarathna

Mr. Surin Dilupa Halvitigala

Imasha Jorsigoda Artists Music Maestro Gunadasa Kapuge

Mr.Bernard Lokuge

Mr.Jayasiri Semage

Mr.Pandula Lokuge

Mr.Jayasri Chandrajith

Mr.Iman Perera

Mr.Candarasoma Binduhewa De Silva

Ms.Jayamini De Silva

Mr.Sudarshana Bandara Sports Mr.Upul Tharanga-National Cricketer

Mr.Saman Jayantha-National Cricketer

Mr.Dinesh Chandimal-National Cricketer

Mr.Ajith de Silva-National Cricketer

Mr.K.P.N.Padmadeva -Swimmer

Mr.T.G.Cameron Kumara de Silva - Former National Swimmer

Ms.Namal Gunasekara -Table Tennis Player

Mrs Dhammika Waduge - Badminton

Ms.Dilhani De Silva - Badminton

Ms.Lakshi Niroshani De Silva - Badminton Mr.G.W.Chandrasena-Former National Badminton Player, Best Outstation School Boy Cricketer 1960 International Organizations Mr.Nipul GOONESEKERA - United Nations, DPKO

Mr.Jagath Peththawadu - Asian Development Bank