The Foundation of the St. Mary's College Dehiwala for the purpose of establishing a school for catholic children, Was truly the Lord's work. His initative Celebration a Jubliee is an Ocassion for all to take stock to give honour where Honour is due and to praise the Lord of the harvest for the abundance with which he has blessed the loving dedication of not only our predecesssors, but of all those who love labored to make of the St. Mary's College of the Dehiwala an outstanding intitue of education, one that has contributed noble to the all-round formation of generation of young people drawn to it from many corners of our island.
It is with great pleasure that I extend my sincere and warm wishes and heartful congratulation to the of St. Mary's College on this great occasion as century celebration of the St. Mary's College Dehiwala.
Rev.Sr.S.D.Priyani Asanthie
Principal
St. MAry's College-Dehiwala
St, Mary’s College Dehiwala was started in 1909 in the premises of St, Mary’s Church. As years went by the girls who where in St, Mary’s English School were sent to Holy family Dehiwala. During the war St, Peter’s and St, Mary’s existed together in the premises of St, Mary’s Dehiwala. The old building of St, Mary’s was opposite the present day belfry of St, Mary’s Dehiwala.St, Mary’s College was as the nurturing ground for a number of Catholic Priests Fr. Michael Rodrigo, Fr. John Gomes, Lester James Peiris, Later on those who Started at St, Mary’s Dehiwala went to St, Peter’s College. The first ever MANME KING of Professor Ediriweera Sarathchandra was Ben SIRIMANNE of St, Mary’s College. St, Mary’s moved from the premises of St, Mary’s church grounds to the present day premises. Till the schools take over St, Mary’s had the full patronage of the government and the Catholic church. On a request made to Cardinal Thomas Cooray, when he came for a prize giving a large church land at ratmalana was given to St, Mary’s College to be used as a play field..
St, Mary’s was always famous for sports, Boxing , Rugby , Cricket and Basket Ball. Some of its students had gone to OLYMPICS as well. Some of the Old Boys of St, Mary’s College are now in Australia, USA, France and England they have their own branches of the OBU of St, Mary’s have now begun to help the present day St, Mary’s . OBU of St, Mary’s has a clear , detailed plan for the improvement os St, Mary’s. One was the appeal to get a priest to teach and hopefully one day take over as he Principal may be for its 100th year in 2009.every Sunday at 10.15 OBU members met with the parish priest started planning for the improvements of St, Mary’s. One …..as been now realized in having Rev.Fr.Neville Bernard as a government teacher of St, Mary’s Dehiwala.
Rev.Sister.S.D.P.Asanthi is the First historic Catholic Sister to be appointed as a government Principal to St, Mary’s College, Dehiwala. Rev. Sister Sattabiralalage Don Priyani Asanthi was born in Maggona.She was born on 21th May 1963.Her parents are Mr.S.D.E.Joseph (R.I.P) and the mother is Ms.P.L.Rose Cooray(R.I.P). She Studied in St, Mary’s Convent Matara. She also got a B.A. Degree in English and Social Science
Centenary Celebration Visual Invitation
