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Dharmadutha College

Dharmadutha College is situated in Badulla District. This is the First Buddhist College in Uva which was established on 21st of August 1981 by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott and Muhandiram D.C. Kothalawala.

History

During the British rule of Sri Lanka English schools were established by catholic missionary. The aim was to implement an English educated generation suit for them and to carry out the office system conveniently. In these English schools were teached not only Englishanguage but also induced the Buddhist students to their religion. The Buddhist people were unhappy about this action. In this period (1880) ' Henry Alcott' arrived to the country. The creatior of schools such as Royel College & ST.Thomes College in Colombo, Trinty College and King'swood College in Kandy had been founded in this period. Badulla Uva College was founded as same. After that Badulla St.Beeds Collage was established. In end of 18th century with the awake of Buddhism in Sri Lanka the educated Buddhists paid the attention to give English knowledge to the Buddhist children in the Buddhist environment. There for Buddhist schools were established in all over the country as well as in Badulla. In 1880, the American 'Cornel Henry Alcott' was embraced the Buddhism and joined with the Buddhist elite and established 'Parama VIgngnanartha' Buddhist society and created Colombo 'Ananda College,Dharmaraja College-Kandy ,Mahinda College-Gall through the society. During that period the 'Dharmadutha Sangamaya' were being founded all over the country and a representative of 'Kaluthara Dharmadutha Sangamaya'.'Mudliar D.F Gunasekara' was visited Badulla and joined with Buddhist elites and was founded the 'Badulla Dharmadutha Society'. The first president of this society was 'Muhandiram D.C Kothalawala and the secretary was 'MR. W.M Godawela' who worked as a translator in the Badulla court. After observing the danger by the Catholic Missionary Education for the children of Badulla area, one of a student 'William Jayasinhe' Who was studying in the Law collage left the studies in 1886 and came to Badulla and founded the 'Buddhist English High School'. This school was started in a building in front of 'Sancy' studio at Lower king's street, Badulla. At the beginning there were 6 students in this school.

Then Mr. 'William Jayasinghe' also took the membership of the 'Badullla Dharmadutha Sangamaya' and handed over this educational institute founded by him in 1891. 'Muhandiram D.C Kothalawala' was assigned as the first manager of this institute and 'Mr. William Jayasinhe' was the head master. This school was registered as a government benefited School. In 1984 since this registration the head master should be a qualified teacher. There for 'Mr. William Jayasinha' left the post and again entered to the law collage to continue the education. Later 'Mr. D.F Silva' who was a qualified teacher was appointed as the head master. It is understand that there were 30 students in this school when registering as a government school. Due to increasing the number of students in the college new building was erected in the land belongs to 'Mr. D.C Kothalawala'. For this purpose donations were received from 'Mr. D.F Gunasekara' and Buddhist donors in the area. Proposal of 'Mr. H.R Gunawardana who served as a principal ( Since 1941 to 1949) of this school and old boys of the school, In 1923 changed the name of the school as 'Dharmadutha Collage' to memories the founders of the 'Dhrmadutha Sangamaya'. 'Mr. R.H Gunawardana' (Kotiya Sir) was and old boy of this school and worked as a teacher in this school. After getting the training he had been assigned as the principal of this school.

Expanding the main-hall from 70 ft to 101 ft, and erecting two rooms at the western side, erecting new two buildings, promoting the school from primary level to secondary level were the developments during his period by the assistance of old boys and commence of the area. There for it was a valuable period for Dharmadutha College. In 1960 the management of the school had been changed and the management was done by a director. 'Mr. Gladwin Kothalawala' is the last manager of this collage.

The Minister of education published the order No: 375 on 1961 .12.14 to acquire the school to the government. From 1963.08.01 the college was under the government control. At that time there were 900 students and 44 staff members. 'Mr. D.L Jayasinhe' who is an old boy of this college was the principal. He served as a teacher for a certain period and got the appointment as the principal.

During the period of Mr. Jayasinghe as the principal the all of buildings such as principal's office, library and the main hall with large stage(this was the largest stage in Badulla) was demolished and erected a two story building with 8 class rooms.(presently the building consists the office).

The acquired schools were reorganized in 1964.As a result Tamil section was closed in this college and the Tamil students were sent to another school. The students who were studied in the science section of this college was entered to the Badulla Maha Vidyalaya .After that Dharmaduta College was considered as a Sinhala medium school and taught only art subjects. Classes were conducted up to Advanced Level. At the same period the science section was started again. A new science lab was erected for G.C.E O/L classes. Mr. D.L. Jayasinghe was attached to the monastery of education and Kernel Jayalath appointed as the principal. During his period The G.C.E Advanced Level classes in the science section was founded. In 2006 there were 2300 students were studied in this college and the staff members were 96.