MR.H.L.WIMALASOORIYA (1946-1948)
To develop a school there should be a good rapport among the teachers, students and the parents and there should be a good leadership as well. It was Mr.H.L.Wimalasooriya who took the initiatives to develop MR/Telijawila Central College to present standard.
He was sent to Telijjawila Central College from Kalutara Gnanodaya School by Mr.C.W.W.Kannangara, the Minister of Education. He was an expert in language, music, art and sports.
In his message to the annual magazine of Telijjawila central College he says that Telijjawila Central College started at Telijjawila junction in a thatched hall with a great deal of shortcomings on the 17th Jan. 1946. Medium of instruction was English. There were three houses called "Shakya","Sara" and "Nanda".Sportmeets,physical exercises, gardening completions ,conserts,prize-giving and parties were common events in this age.Mr.Wimalasoriya worked effectively and courageously to develop the Telijjawila Central College to contest with other leading school in the coubtry.It was a blessing to the college. In his message he further reminded that the secret of the development of the college in that era was the dedicated tutorial staff and the obedient students. He wished the college and he further requested the present students of the college to have broad objectives to suit the future generation ,to lead a pious life with patriotic feelings and do what you do with maximum dedication and partiality.
Mr.Wimalasooriya who laid a strong foundation to the college was transferred to Kalutara Tissa Central College on the 31st March 1948.In the end he was promoted to the commissioner of examination due to his capabilities and potentialities.
Mr.Edmend Dias Gunarathna
Mr.Gunarathna was the predecessor of Mr.Wimalasooriya.He was transferred to the Telijjawila Central College from Horana Thakshila Central College. He was an expert in English language and Latin Language. He taught English literature as well. His served in the Telijjawila Central College as the principal for about 8 months.
Mr.M.S.De Silva
Mr.M.S.De Silva was appointed as the principal in 1948.He was a BSC. Graduate. He was a competent teacher. His attempt to introduce science subjects was not successful due to non-existence of laboratories. He served as the principal for about 2 years.
Mr.A.Thanthirigoda
Mr.thanthirigoda was the predecessor of Mr.M.S.De Silva. He was a calm and quite teacher. He served as the principal for about 7 months.
Mr.D.A.Wedage (1953-1955)
The school conducted in a dilapidated thatched hall at Telijjawila junction was shifted to the new building in Mr.wedage’s age. The building wasn’t completely erected and the number of the students was about 550.
Mr.Wedage was in national dress and he had a good personality. He served the students with dedication.He built up a good rapport with the tutorial staff and the students in the school. He developed the school to a good standard.
Students got a chance to learn music, typewring and shorthand besides the traditional subjects learnt in the classroom.
In 1952 about 100 students sat for the junior examination in English medium and most of them got through the examination.
Mr.Wedage was a competent teacher and a strict disciplinarian. He served the school till 24/04/1955.He left the school and got an appointment in the department of official languages.
Mr.H.L.Rathnapala
Layout of the buildings was designed to suit a central college during Mr.Rathnapla’ s era. His wife also served as a teacher in the college. Both of them worked hard to uplift the standard of the students of the college. Mr.Rathnapala taught geography and his wife taught English literature and Pali.They treated the students as their own children.
12 acres of land in Galendakuttiya, Akurugoda, Telijjawila was allocated to build the college in his age. the foundation stone was laid by the late minister of highway and industry, Sir John Kothalawal on the 17th March 1952.The building complex consisted of main hall, classrooms, laboratories and boys and girls hostels.
Mr.R.B.Gallella (1955-1957)
Mr.Gallella was a pleasant democratic leader. He was in white national dress. He was an expert teacher. He is still living as a retired teacher.
The headway of the school curricular activities was a result of his guidance. Formation of the art circle,selection of prefects by votes, commencement of the present four houses(wijitha,Rohana,Tissa,Anura) were some the commendable events taken place in his age.
The present college was declares opened by the late Priminister sir John kothalawala on the 15th July 1955.This was a great event in this era.
Though a well-built science laboratory with a good deals of science equipments were available, no attempt was made to start science classes as a result of shortage of teachers.Mr.Gallella took the responsibility and stared a science class with 21 students from the art class with the help of Mr.S.R.Nithyanandan, a science teacher. As a result of Mr.Nithyanandan’s dedication all the students got through the senior examination in 1956.
Mr.Gallealla was in charge of the boy's hostel as well. His notes regarding the students in the hostel were very pleasant and attractive. To accompany the students to Colombo for competitions was one of his habitual actions. He left the college in 1957.
Mr.L.H.P.De Silva (1957-1968)
Mr.L.H.P.De Silva was the 8th principal of the Telijjawila Central College. He served in this college since the 1st Feb. 1957 to the 30th Sep. 1968.
He was transferred to this college from Kalutara central College. When we have a look at his age we can consider his period as the golden era of the history of the college.
As a result of his sincerer dedication he was able to complete the science laboratory. We should give him the credit for admitting the students to the science classes.
The major shake-up in the education field with the intervention of Mr.Silva was the commencement of the commerce stream.moreover,the history of the college testifies the first batch of students in the commerce section were selected to the University in his age as well.
Another unforgettable event taken place in his age was the continuous victory of the music and drama competitions.
In 1961 the old boys’ association was formed for the first time, consequently, OBA had a shrine room built and donated to the college.
The number o the students increased by 257(from 570-827). The teachers increased by 16 during his age.
In the college history he won the reputation as a competent teacher and administrator and he was a good artist as well.
He served as the principal in this college for about 12 years and he bid farewell to the college without any farewell party. He passed away on the 30th Sep. 1970.
May he attain Nibbhana !
Mr.U.A.F.Dharmasiri (1968-1970)
Mr.U.A.F.Dharmasiri was the 9th principal in the college. He resumed office on the 1st Oct. 1968 and he left the school on the 16th July 1970as a director of education. In spite of a short period, his service rendered to the college was commendable.
He was in white national dress. The prominent features of his character were dedication and enthusiasm. He was an artistic person as well. He took the initiatives to launch a magazine called”Telidiyawila” showing his artistic temperament.
There was a headway in the commerce section as a result of the guidance of Mr.susantha A.Wijesundara.The first publication of the magazine called"Vinimaya" was launched on the 4th Feb. 1969.
Mr. Dharmasiri was the premier to form the students’ union in science, commerce and art sections and students got a chance to show their skills and abilities.
Drama and musical shows called "Ranga Rasanga" was introduced and income was set apart for the building fund.
He was good at art. Whenever the teachers were absent he broke the monotony in the classes by teaching arts. He was interested in Buddhist culture too.
We should give him credits for building the playground for the benefits of the sporty students in the college. We should gratefully remind that the students got a chance to carry on the sport meets in order to develop their athletic skills during his short period.
After retirement he engaged in writing. May he attain Nibbhana !
Mr.N.G.K.Samarasekara
With the political shake-up in 1970 Mr.N.G.K.Samarasekara was transferred to Telijawila Central College from Deniyaya Central College to handle the administration of the college. At the dawn of his administration he managed to turn the college into a friendly institute by introducing the new government’s education reform with a new approach. He earnestly channeled the prevailed tradition of the administration to a new path and made the students the partners of the national development.
He could win the patronage of the existed government for the development of the college during insurrection in 1971.He managed the college protecting the students with the help of the tutorial staff during his age. He could develop the tutorial staff qualitatively and quantitatively. The number of students was 1230 and the number of teachers was 50 by 1973.
We should give him credit for admitting a large numbers of students to the universities in 1971.During his administration the tutorial staff contributed to the administration very much.Mr.A.D.Kudalugoda, the deputy principal was a great prop to the administration. The commerce section progressed by leaps and bounds under the guidance of Mr.Wijesundara and Mr.Wijerathna Kadaweduwa during his age.
Mr.M.R.A.Mathos
We can introduce Mr.Mathos as a principal with administrative abilities to build a calm structure of school through psychological approach and the psychological management of students.He tried to introduce various kinds of methodologies to the school.
He looked at the problems in the school at social angle and he applied the psychological methodologies to disciple the students in the school.He was an educationist and he maintained a good rapport with the parents as well.
His age was a delightful period for the students. The number of the students in this period was about 1475 and the teachers was about 57.He carried out the clerical section very effectively. He maintained a special personal file for each student in the school
He acted to develop the eastern music. English Language and English Literature. The role of the teachers were regulated by conducting the "Teachers' Intelligence Circle" monthly. This helped to develop the students' self-discipline and self-refrain. Thus, the students tended to social welfare and interschool relationship.
He was interested in co-curricular activities and he introduced social projects to develop the students’ competencies and attitudes.
He rendered a yeomen service to the school. He left the school on the 4th June 1975.
Mr.Gunadasa Nallaperuma
Mr. Nallaperuma considered the school as a "people- friendly institude".He took up office on the 2nd June 1975.He kept away from the authoritarian administration and he applied his vision to build an outright democratic administrative structure. He was a well-known social servant .He acted in the school considering the human resources as the key resource in the school. He got rid of the barriers for the teaching learning process and he attempted to develop the attitudes of both the teachers and the students of the school to suit the social development. He centralized the administrative power and he obtained the teachers' fullest co-operation for the administration of the school. As a result there was a considerable progress in Art, sports, GCE(O/L) and GCE(A/L)results and achievements at school levels and national levels.
The numbers of the students increased and the numbers on the teachers were 65.The commerce section progressed by leaps and bounds during this period. The magazine called "Vinimaya" was published for the third time in collaboration with Mr.C.Karunarathna and Mrs.Thamara Nandani.In 1976 out of the 65 students in commerce section who sat for the GCE(A/L) examination 27 students got through all four subjects and 30 students passed three subjects. This clearly showed the progress of the commerce section.
He very often valued the importance of winning the child rights in order to get over the social obstacles in education.
In his period, the field of Music and Drama improved very rapidly. He put a brave shoulder to this section to bring the students to the national level with the assistance of Mr.Chandradasa Bogoda and Mr.Bandu wijesooriya.
He had been an active leader of teachers' union. He took initiative to fight for the rights of the teachers in collaboration with the teachers 'unions. He directly involved in the teachers' affairs such as salary increments and teachers' rights to get them solved .His attempt was to mould the characters of the students through the increase in satisfaction of the teachers and the students and effective school administration.
Mr.C.K.Waidyarathna
Mr C.K.Waidyarathna was a prominent science teacher and he was an old boy in Mahinada College in Galle.He served as a science teacher in the same college.With the political shake-up in 1977,he was transferred to Telijjawila central College as the principal. He who had all-round personality actively contributed to the improvement of the education in the school with dedication.
He skillfully improved the standard of the science education at G.C.E.(O/L) and G.C.E(A/L) levels.The development of the laboratory facilities, science workshops, seminars, modern teaching methodologies were some of his strategies.
He was much interested in the discipline of the students. He launched a few programmes to create the sense of dignity in the school within the hearts of the students.The school uniform was compulsory during this period. He succeeded in introducing the prefect board in the school, it was ,further, regulated and gained their contribution to the school.
He regulated the sport meet with the intention of improving the students' athletic skills.He developed the school playground under the patronage of the government. The school library was, further, developed with the assistance of the librarian, Mr.Wimalasena.It was a great prop to the students’ education.
Mr.M.K.Sirisena(1981-1986)
With the political shake-up in the country, some competent teachers such as Mr.A.D.Kudalugoda Arachchi, Mr.H.G.Piyatissa, Mr.Nenapala and Mr. Wijesooriya were transferred to another schools.
The acting vice principal ,Mr.P.V.G.Wickramasingha,was also transferred. Mr.H.K.Sirisena took up office as the principal on the 6th Jan. 1981.He sacrificed his time to develop the physical resources and the standard of the education of the students in the school.
Mr.N.Jayawardana(1986-1988)
Mr.N.Jayawardana was the predecessor of Mr.siresena.He resumed duty on the 15th Jan 1986. He was interested in the cleanliness of the school. The numbers of the students grew up by leaps and bounds in his age.
Mr.J.P.P.Jayaweera(1988)
The conflict situation within the country and the school was predominant during his period.Mr.J.P.P.Jayaweera from MR/Morawaka central college took up office in this school. He spent his time to protect the students in the school. He retired on the 11th Sep. 1988.
Mr.A.Gamage(1988-1992)
Mr.Gamage had served MR/deniyaya Rajapaksha Vidyalaya, MR/Urubokka Maha Vidyalaya and MR/Alapala deniya Maha Vidyalaya before he took up office in this school.He could work cordially with the tutorial staff and the students in the school. He was transferred on the 4th May 1992.
Mr.I.Wijewantha(1992-1993)
Mr.I.Wijewantha was a very competent principal who diverted the path of the school.</br>
He attended the school as early as possible. All respected him for his dedication to school; attempt to restore reputation of the school and the students' discipline.
>Mr.Withananda(1993-1994)
Mr.Withananda who served as the deputy principal of the school took up office as the acting principal. He was very attracted to both the tutorial staff and the students of the school. He was transferred to MR/Wewahamanduwa Wanigasekara Vidyalaya
Mr.P.V.P.Wickramasinhe
Mr.Wickamasinha was the second past pupil who was the principal of Mr/Telijjawila Central College and he was appointed twice as the principal of this school. We was recorded in the history of the school as the person who served for a long time in this school. He was a well-dedicated and determined principal.
Mr.Wickramasingha entered the school in 1959 as a student in G.C.E. (A/L) class. He was admitted to the Peradeniya University in 1962 with his contemporary Mr.Edvin Liyanage and Mr.D.Basnayaka.After obtaining the degree, he served in several schools as a teacher. He resumed duty in this school in 1970 as a geography teacher. The prominent feature of his career was to display the best map drawn by the students in the school notice board.
He acted as the vice principal in Mr.C.K.Waidyarathn's times.He became the principal of the school after Mr, C.K.waidyarathna was transferred He got used to remain in the school premises after school.During his period English Medium (O/L) classes began and western Music was introduced.
After receiving transfers to several schools, he served in Ahangama Sariputtra Maha Vidyalaya as the principal. On the request of the old pupils of MR/Telijjawila Central College, He took up office as the principal on the 7th Oct.1994.By nature, he was an authoritarian ruler, but he had inner affection for his pupils.
The three-storied building consisted of 8 class rooms, staff room and computer lab was declared open by The former Minister of education Mr.Rechard Pathiran on the 27th June 1997.
The school was promoted as a national school in this times.As he was an active old pupil of the school he could work in collaboration with the old boys' association of the school and he, once, became the president of the association.
We should respect him for his dedication to the service, and attachments to the school.