Nalanda College, A college in Srilanka
Nalanda College is a boys school building in Colombo that teaches from primary through advanced secondary levels and emphasizes Buddhist values alongside the national curriculum. The campus includes sports fields for cricket and rugby, science laboratories, a library, computer facilities, and memorials honoring fallen alumni and founders.
The school was founded in 1925 to relieve overcrowding at Ananda College and provide Buddhist education, named after a famous Indian university. It expanded rapidly and became known for academic and sports achievements, especially after Sri Lanka's independence in 1948 when it grew into a major educational institution.
The school preserves Buddhist traditions through daily prayers, festivals like Vesak, and cultural events that connect students with their religious heritage. Art competitions, traditional dances, and the annual Nalanda Walk processions show how the school encourages students to experience and value their Sinhalese and Buddhist culture.
The school sits on Siri Dhamma Mawatha in Colombo 10 and is easy to reach by bus or bicycle from different parts of the city. The campus has open grounds for various sports, a library with study materials, computer labs for research, and school events like sports meets and prize-giving ceremonies happen throughout the year.
The famous annual cricket rivalry with Trinity College in Kandy, called the Battle of the Maroons, is a three-day match that draws many spectators and stands as a school tradition. Alumni like President Mahinda Rajapaksa and international cricketer Mahela Jayawardene studied here, and their achievements are part of local history.
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