| Wesley College, Colombo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 6°55′16″N 79°52′34″E / 6.9210°N 79.8761°E |
| Information | |
| School type | Semi Government Managed Boys School |
| Motto | Ora et Labora (Pray and Labour) |
| Established | 2 March 1874 |
| Founder | Rev. D. H. Pereira |
| Educational authority | Sri Lanka Education Department |
| Principal | A. A. M. Fernando |
| Faculty | 300+ |
| Grades | 1–13 |
| Gender | Boys |
| Age | 5 to 20 |
| Enrollment | 5000+ |
| Language | English, Sinhala and Tamil |
| Colour(s) | Light blue and Dark blue |
| Song | Wesley to the Fore |
| Publication | The Double Blue (Since 1898) |
| Affiliation | Methodist Sri Lanka |
| Alumni | Wesleyites |
| Website | www.wesleycollege.lk |
Wesley College, Colombo, popularly known as "Wesley" or "The Double Blues" is a school providing primary and secondary education in Sri Lanka since 1874. Wesley College is a Methodist educational institution.
History
In 1858, Rev. Joseph Rippon wanted to establish a superior educational institution for the Wesleyan Methodist Mission in South Ceylon.[1] On 2 March 1874 (the death anniversary of Rev. John Wesley) Wesley College was founded in the City Mission buildings at Dam Street, Pettah. Wesley's first principal was Rev. Samuel R. Wilkin and the first vice-principal was Rev. D. Henry Pereira.
Many years later, under the guiding hand of Rev. Henry Highfield, Wesley was moved from Dam Street, Pettah to its current residence at Karlsruhe Gardens, Borella in 1907.
The Methodist institution was envisaged to be a distinctly Christian college, however it currently provides secondary education for over three thousand Sri Lankan students from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds.[2]
Wesley College has since established two branches to accommodate its growing number of students. One branch is situated in Havelock Town, Colombo while the other is in Thampola, Katunayake.
Wesley College is named after John Wesley (1703–1791), the founder of the Methodist Church.
Houses
Suggested by Rev. Henry Highfield and introduced by Rev Albert Hutchinson during his principalship, Wesley College has four main houses, which were further divided by C. J. Oorloff as senior houses and junior houses during his principalship. The houses are named after former principals and teachers who provided extraordinary service to the school. The houses are named as follows:[3]
- Senior house-Wilkin / Junior house-Dias.
- Senior house-Moscrop / Junior house-Lemphers.
- Senior house-Hillard / Junior house-Mack.
- Senior house-Passmore / Junior house-Honter.
Notable alumni
| Name | Notability | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rohan Amerasekera | Commander of the Air Force (1962–1970) | |
| Claude Corea | member of parliament (1931–1946) | |
| Oliver Ernest Goonetilleke | Governor-General of Ceylon (1954–1962) | |
| Walisinghe Harischandra | social reformer, historian, author | |
| Don Baron Jayatilaka | ||
| Brendon Kuruppu | international cricket player (1987–1991) | |
| E. F. C. Ludowyk | first Professor of English University of Ceylon | |
| Farveez Maharoof | international cricket player (2004–2011) | |
| Mohamed Macan Markar | member Legislative Council of Ceylon (1924– ) | |
| M. H. Mohamed | Speaker of Sri Lanka Parliament (1989–1994) Cabinet Minister (1965-1970, 1977-1988 & 2001–2004) member of parliament (Colombo 1965-1970 & 1977-2004 –2010), Mayor of Colombo (1960–1962) | |
| Mahadevan Sathasivam | international cricket player (1944–1949) | |
| Jeffrey Vandersay | One Day International cricket player (2015–present) | |
| Kamal Addaraarachchi | Actor | |
| Gerard Wijeyekoon | member Legislative Council of Ceylon | |
| Wapchie Marikar Abdul Rahman | member Legislative Council of Ceylon | |
| E.W Adikaram | Social activist and a Philosopher. Founder of Multiple Schools in Sri Lanka (Anula Vidyalaya, Ananda Balika Vidyalaya Kotte 1971; Ananda Sastralaya, Matugama) | |
| Sampath Wickremeratne | Chief of the Staff, Sri Lanka Air Force. |
See also
- Category:People associated with Wesley College, Colombo
- Schools in Sri Lanka
- Oldest Schools in Sri Lanka
References
- ↑ "Rev. Joseph Rippon".
- ↑ "Official College history".
- ↑ "College houses". 14 September 2021.