Isipathana College

Isipathana College (Sinhala: ඉසිපතන විද්‍යාලය) previously known as Greenlands College. Isipathana College is a national school for boys in Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka. It was established in January 1952. Presently it provides primary and secondary education on a campus of 11 acres ranging from grades 1 to 13, with an enrollment of more than 5,000+ students.

It provides education from Grades 1 to 13 in Sinhala, Tamil and English language.

The college students are known as Isipathanians whilst past pupils are known as Old Isipathanians.

History
The school commenced in January 1952, with an intake of 400 boys, the overflow of students from the Royal Preparatory School, Greenlands College was established in a coconut grove amidst Havelock Town on Greenlands Road (after which it was named), on approximately 7 acre.

The first principal was B. A. Kuruppu (1952 -1959), who was then the vice-principal of Blue Street Central College, Kotahena. The initial admissions were made by a board composed of principals of Royal College Colombo and Thurstan Colleges, and the headmaster of Royal Preparatory School; classes were organised in all three streams - Sinhala, Tamil and English, with a tutorial staff of seven teachers.

The first principal designed the college crest with the assistance of J. D. A. Perera and Stanley Abeysinghe of Heywood School of Art. It consists of a lighted lamp and an opened book with the motto "Strive with Determination" below. The college colours are dark and light green, which was selected from the college's name (Greenlands College).

The first sports meet was held in March 1953, and the first prize-giving was in 1954.

The first issue of the college magazine came out in 1954. In 1956, Vihara Mandiraya and Chaitya were built to commemorate "Buddha Jayanthi year" at school premises. The college had adapted itself to the socio-cultural changes that were taking place since Buddha Jayanthi in 1956, which led to the renaming of the college in 1961. Greenlands Road had been renamed as Isipathana Mawatha after Isipathanaramaya Temple, and the school was renamed as Isipathana Maha Vidyalaya. Within a decade, Greenlands became Isipathana.

In 1962, the college was divided into a junior and upper college, with two separate principals. In 1975, the Education Department amalgamated the junior college with the upper college. In 1999, the schools were amalgamated into a single college under one principal.

Sports Stadium
Isipathana College was provided the Henry Pedris sports stadium on the 1st of July 2024 through a cabinet decision for its use and management.

Houses
The students are divided into four Houses. The names are derived from four poets - Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thera, Rabindranath Tagore, John Milton and Muhammad Iqbal. The houses compete to win the annual inter-house sports meet.

Sports

 * Athletics
 * Archery
 * Badminton
 * Baseball
 * Basketball
 * Boxing
 * Cadet Platoon
 * Cadet Band
 * Cricket
 * Chess
 * Gymnastics
 * Hockey
 * Martial Arts – Karate, Wushu
 * Rugby Football
 * Rowing
 * Rifle Shooting
 * Soccer (Football)
 * Squash
 * Swimming
 * Tennis
 * Volleyball
 * scrabble
 * Water Polo
 * Table Tennis

Cricket
An annual cricket contest match, 'Battle of Brothers,' also called The Big Match, played against the school's traditional rival Thurstan College. The first Battle of Brothers was in 1963, and there have been 57 matches played, with 41 endings in a draw. Thurstan College won seven times and Isipathana College five times.

Rugby
Isipathana College, formerly known as Greenlands College, has been tagged as the Kings of Schools Rugby, which they have maintained since the school started playing the game in 1963. The college commenced competitive rugby in 1960, led by Randy Keller, playing friendly games at under-17 levels.

Rugby at Isipathana began with Randy Keller, who was an ardent spectator at all the matches that his father played for Havelock SC. Their first senior team to come out was in 1963, led by Bryan Ingram and coached by Y. C. Chang. The college's first major game was against St. Anthony’s College, Kandy, they defeated their opponents by 8 - 3.

Isipathana College's Rugby Achievements
Isipathana College has established itself as one of the most successful teams in the history of school rugby in the country. The college boasts an impressive record, including multiple championships in various tournaments.

Schools Rugby League
Isipathana College has been a dominant force in the Sri Lankan Schools Rugby League, having won sixteen League Championships. The team achieved championship victories in the years 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2022.

President's Trophy Knockout Tournament
Regarded as one of the most prestigious school rugby competitions in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Schools President's Trophy Knockout Tournament showcases the top eight school rugby teams in the country. Isipathana College has emerged as the most successful team in the history of this tournament, securing the championship title on eleven occasions. The team's victories in the tournament came in the years 1985, 1986, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2022. Additionally, Isipathana College has finished as runners-up in the tournament on fourteen occasions - 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, and 2023.

All Island Sevens Schools Rugby Tournament
Isipathana College holds the record for winning the All Island Sevens School Rugby tournament seventeen times.

Abdul Jabbar Trophy
The Abdul Jabbar Trophy is an annual rugby match between Thurstan College and Isipathana College. The trophy is named after Abdul Jabbar, a former principal of Thurstan College, who played a key role in elevating the match to big match status in 1967. The encounter symbolises the two schools' longstanding tradition of friendly competition and sportsmanship. Isipathana College holds the upper hand in the series, with 48 victories. There has only been one match that ended in a draw, occurring in 1975. No matches were played in 1972, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2022.

Major Milroy Fernando Trophy
The Major Milroy Fernando Trophy is a rugby trophy contested annually between Royal College and Isipathana College. Colonel Dudley Fernando donated the trophy in memory of his son, Major Milroy Fernando, who lost his life in a landmine explosion in Omanthai, Vavuniya, on 6 January 1986. Isipathana College holds the upper hand in the series, with sixteen victories compared to Royal College's twelve. Four matches ended in a draw, occurring in 1987, 2001, 2002, and 2013. No matches were played in 1991, 1994, 1995, 2007, 2020, and 2021.