Our Dhamma School is approaching 100 years of in providing Dhamma Education to the children in Dehiwala-Mt Lavinia This is a very important and a momentous occasion for the students,staff members ,members of the Management society as well as to the Buddhists in Sri Lanka. To continue an educational institution run on voluntary basis for a period of 100 years is indeed an achievement to be celebr
ated. Near 500 years of colonial rule from 1505 CE was a dark period for Sri Lankan Buddhists who were denied of their rights including step motherly treatment they received from the rulers in regard to many social aspects like education, employment and registration of births etc In the early part of the 20th century the Sinhala Buddhists under the patriotic leaders such as Ven Migettuwarte Gunanada Thero, Ven Hikkuduwe Sumangala Thero, Ven Angarika Dhammapla, Walisinha Harischandra began to register their protests claiming their due rights through movements such as Amadayapa Sabawa, Sinhala Maha Sabawa and Organization for restoration of Anuradhapura sacred city etc. Simultaneously, many groups in various locations in Sri Lanka were determined to set up educational facilities for the upliftment of the Buddhist children The birth of our Dhamma School too was as result of this national awakening. Historic Meeting
For the purpose of setting up joining the Buddhist Reawakening program, a group of Dehiwala-Mt Lavinia residents met under the patronage of distinguished Buddhist prelate, Most Ven Thalramabe Indrasara maha thero at Subodharama Temple, Dehiwala. It was decided to establish a Buddhist Society and the name decided was SRI PUNYARTHI SOCIETY and the patron elected was the chief prelate of Subodharama Temple, Ven Sri Lalankara thero. Following were the pioneers who met on this important occasion. Mr A.J Perera, Mr G.J.Fermamdo, Mr R.K.G DE Silva, Mr W.R.Pries, Mr S.G Liyanage, Mr M.J Piries, Mr N.C.Silva, Mr Martin Piries, Mr C.Pallyaguru, Mr B.E.Charlie Wijesekera, Mr R.L.Periera, Mr B.A,Ranawake. The following joined the team of pioneers later. G.N.Fernando, Mr G.S de Silva, Mr P.T.de Silva, Mr S.J.A,Samarasuriya, Mr W.P. Daluwatte, Mr P.Wakwella, Mr U.G De Silva, Mr F.R.Senartane, Mr L.D.A Alwis, Mr P.C.S Fernando. Among the first batch of students who enrolled themselves were, Somi Scicilly Peries, Carolyin Sewaris, Tituts Fernando, P.T.de Silva, Solomen de Silva, Girtie Alwis, Charollette Alwis, , M.W .Fernando, Simon Dias, Cyril Dias, Ruby Fonseka, Carlina Fernando, Louis Fernando, Aslyn Wakwella, Mulin Silva, Seelawathi Dabare, Alwin Peiris, Bertie Peiris, Hentry Peiris and Francis Peiris,. The student numbers kept growing and by 1921 it was 90 and by 1950 it grew up to 250. The staff members and the old boys and the girls were determined to be part of the reawakening process and took active part in the social and religious work at Subodahrama temple as well as in other major Buddhist societies in the area. The members of the Buddhist order mainly from the Subodharama temple who actively assisted in raising the educational standards of the school were Ven Thalarambe Indrasara, Ven Galkisse Gunalankara, Ven Unavatune Dhammapala, Ven Dikwelle Seelarathana, Ven Dikwelle Dhammlankara, Ven Matara Wimaltissa theroes. We remember with gratitude the pioneering and dedicated volunteerism of our honorable teachers who guided the students in true Bodhistava spirit in offering their knowledge and time tirelessly. In the history of our school, one individual who is the golden link which made the institution strong both organizationally and in regard to Dhamma education is late Mr N.C Silva who was associated with the Sri Punarthi Society and School from 1914 to 1962 when he passed away. He was a member of the pioneering team and later became the Principal of the School and also served as the President of the management society for several years. We are indebted to him for his contributions and to his far sighted vision in moulding a dynamic team including his plan in giving opportunities to individuals to bear responsibility to strengthen the school.
