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About Us

OUR HERITAGE

History of Mahinda College

Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, influenced by a religious debate, founded Mahinda College in 1892 in Galle, Sri Lanka. He was drawn to Buddhism and worked to establish educational institutions that reflected Buddhist values.

The college was named after the monk Arahat Mahinda Thero, who brought the message of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. The school quickly grew under the leadership of various principals, notably Frank Lee Woodward, who significantly increased student enrollment. Over the years, Mahinda College moved to a new location for expansion and continues to thrive as a leading educational institution in the country.

OUR STORY

Rooted in Mahinda, Connected for Life

The story of Mahinda Club began with a simple yet powerful idea — to keep the brotherhood of Mahindians alive beyond the school years.

As Mahindians left Mahinda College and moved from Galle to Colombo, other parts of Sri Lanka and different corners of the world, the need for a platform that could bring them together became increasingly evident. It was with this purpose that, on 5 September 1996, a group of old Mahindians gathered at the Colombo Public Library to discuss the formation of a club that would continue the bonds and values developed at Mahinda.

A special meeting followed on 23 October 1996, followed by the first General Meeting on 12 February 1997 and the first gathering on 1 March 1997. These early milestones marked the beginning of a continuing journey of fellowship, service and commitment to the Mother School.

The First Eleven

The formation of Mahinda Club was driven by eleven Mahindians who came together with a shared vision of strengthening the bonds among old Mahindians and contributing to the wellbeing of their Mother School:

  • C. W. A. Epa
  • Sundara Nihathamani De Mel
  • Sanath Rohana
  • Indika Jayawardena
  • Wimal Nanayakkara
  • R. K. A. Gunewardena
  • Kanchana Ramachandra
  • L. M. Prematilake
  • Punya Arambewela
  • Lal Ranasinghe
  • Heshantha Mudalige

What began with these eleven Mahindians grew into a community united by a shared identity, a lasting sense of brotherhood and a common commitment to Mahinda. At its heart, Mahinda Club exists to bring Mahindians together and strengthen the bonds among generations of students and old boys of Mahinda College.

The Club provides a platform for Mahindians living in Sri Lanka and around the world to connect, build friendships, support one another and contribute towards the continued development and wellbeing of the Mother School. Our work extends beyond maintaining connections among old boys. We believe in creating opportunities for the next generation of Mahindians, supporting current students, recognising the contributions of teachers and old boys, and carrying the values and spirit of Mahinda into wider society. Above all, Mahinda Club is built on brotherhood, service and a lasting commitment to Mahinda College.

Our Contributions

Over the years, Mahinda Club and its members have supported Mahinda College through numerous initiatives aimed at improving the lives of students and strengthening the school community.

Among the notable contributions are:

  • School BusDonating a bus to Mahinda College and continuing to support its maintenance and upkeep.

  • ScholarshipsProviding financial assistance and scholarships to support students in their education.

  • Library developmentDonating books and resources to strengthen the school library.

  • Prize-Giving and school eventsSupporting and sponsoring important events in the school's annual calendar.

  • Career guidanceCreating opportunities for students to gain guidance and exposure to different professional fields.

  • Sports developmentSupporting sporting activities, including the Albert Edirisinghe Challenge and improvements to sports facilities.

  • Medical initiativesOrganising sports medical camps and other programmes to support student wellbeing.

  • School facilitiesContributing towards the development and improvement of school infrastructure, including the hostel and cricket facilities.

  • Teacher appreciationSupporting initiatives that recognise and honour teachers and former teachers who have contributed to generations of Mahindians.

Continuing the Legacy

Mahinda Club continues to evolve while remaining firmly rooted in the values that inspired its formation. From supporting the Mother School to creating opportunities for Mahindians to connect across generations, universities, professions and countries, the Club seeks to ensure that the spirit of Mahinda continues beyond the school gates. The journey that began with a small gathering of Mahindians in Colombo continues today through the collective efforts of generations of Mahindians who believe in giving back to their Mother School and strengthening the community around it.

Together, we carry forward the legacy of Mahinda.

OUR PURPOSE

Vision and Mission

Our Vision

To be a leading, vibrant, united and exemplary community of Old Mahindians committed to the continued excellence and progress of Alma Mater Mahinda College, Galle.

අපගේ විදුහල් මාතාව වන ගාල්ල මහින්ද විද්‍යාලයයේ අඛණ්ඩව විශිෂ්ටතම ප්‍රගතිය වෙනුවෙන් කැපවී සිටින ප්‍රමුඛ, ජීවයෙන් පිරිපුන් එක්සත් මහින්ද ආදි ශිෂ්‍ය ප්‍රජාවක් බවට පත්වීම.

Our Mission

Foster lifelong bonds among all Mahindians, their family members, present & past teachers of Mahinda College, Galle ; support the development of beloved Alma Mater and its students and contribute positively to society.

සියළුම මහින්දීයයන්, ඔවුන්ගේ පවුලේ සාමාජිකයන් සහ ගාල්ල මහින්ද විද්‍යාලයයේ වර්තමාන හා හිටපු ගුරු භවතුන් අතර ජීවිත කාලය පුරා පවතින බැදීම් වර්ධනය කිරීම, ආදරණීය විදුහල් මාතාවගේ හා එහි සිසුන්ගේ සංවර්ධනයට සහායවීම හා සමාජයට ධනාත්මක ලෙස දායකවීම.

OUR LEADERSHIP

Executive Committee

Kasun Sooriyaarachchi

President

Kapila Gamage

Secretary

Wajira Amarasiri

Secretary

Mahinda Haputhanthri

Treasurer

Lakshman Athuraliya

Chief Organizer

Kanaka Wijewickrama

Vice President

Sahiru Jasinghe

Vice President

Prabath Gunawardane

Assistant Secretary

Chamara Jayawickrama

Assistant Treasurer

Udaya Samaraweera

Assistant Treasurer

Chandimal Vithanage

Assistant Organizer

Sudeera Peiris

Assistant Organizer

Indika Thiranagama

Chairman – Internal Affairs Committee

Irosh Fernando

Chairman – College Affairs Coordination Committee

Nalin Withanachchi

Chairman – Social & Welfare Affairs Committee

Ravindra Gunawardena

Chairman – International Affairs Committee

Shyan Viroshitha

Chairman – Fundraising Committee

Yasitha Lokunarangoda

Chairman – Membership Promotion & Data Management Committee

President's Counsel Palitha Kumarasinghe

Advisor

Prof. Ananda Wijewickrama

Advisor

Sundara Nihathamani de Mel

Advisor

Attorney-at-Law Jagath Abeynayake

Legal Officer

Chandrasiri Sarukkali

Auditor

Ajanta Premarathna

Committee Member

Ajith Jathunaarachchi

Committee Member

Anura Pandithage

Committee Member

B. N. Chamara

Committee Member

C. A. Gunawardena

Committee Member

Chinthaka Chandrakumara

Committee Member

D. N. Thilakumara

Committee Member

Dayamal Jayasuriya

Committee Member

Dilhan Wimalka

Committee Member

Gayanath Dahanayake

Committee Member

Hasitha Dissanayake

Committee Member

Heshantha Mudalige

Committee Member

Jagath Halpandeniya

Committee Member

L. A. Gunathilaka

Committee Member

Malindu Jayarathna

Committee Member

Manoj Indika

Committee Member

Medhanka Alwis

Committee Member

Meryl Liyanage

Committee Member

Mihira Egodage

Committee Member

Muditha Windsor

Committee Member

Padmi Perera

Committee Member

Prabath Ranaweera

Committee Member

Ranjith Chandrasiri

Committee Member

Sadeesh Niroshan Kodikara

Committee Member

Saman Weerathunga

Committee Member

Sampath Daulagala

Committee Member

Sanjaya Nallaperuma

Committee Member

Sumedha Madihahawa

Committee Member

Takura Gunasinghe

Committee Member

Upul Gunasekara

Committee Member