The weather outside was breezy with obvious signs of approaching rain. The cloudy Southern sky was doing its best to keep the sun from shining on the smiling faces of students, parents and teachers who were gathered at Mahinda College Galle. Yet, the atmosphere inside the school grounds on that Friday morning was that of immense pride and exhilaration that no turn of weather could dampen. The school hall, still echoing the Sri Lankan National Anthem as it was sung for the first time in history, lead by maestro Ananda Samarakoon as the schools’ Art and Music teacher, was full with the entire Mahindian Family who had gathered to witness yet another jewel being installed on the school crown, already radiating the glory of a 125-year history.
Principal of Mahinda College Galle, Mr. Gamini Jayewardena, together with his staff and the Old Boys Association had organized an event on Friday, to felicitate the Tokyo Cement Super Quiz Season 3 winners, Team Leader – Hans Thisanka, Kaviru Karunanayake, Gaurava Balasuriya, brothers Pulsara and Pahasara Viriththamulla and Amayuru Amarasinghe together with the Teacher-in-Charge of the Do You Know Society, Mrs. Sujeewa Alahakoon. The Champions of the South brought home the coveted Tokyo Cement Super Quiz trophy along with 1 Million Rupees grand prize after an exciting competition against Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo. The commendation event was attended by parents, teachers, students, officials of the OBA, Tokyo Cement Group and Swarnavahini.
Mr. B. D. Deepanath, Regional Sales Manager – Western Region, Tokyo Cement Group handed over the 1-Million-rupee cheque to Mr. Gamini Jayewardena, Principal of Mahinda College, while the six members of the team were presented the Dell laptops they won. The Mahinda College OBA made it an occasion to present tokens of appreciation to the Champion Team and to Mrs. Alahakoon for bringing glory to their Alma Mater.
The highlight of the day was Pulsara Viriththamulla of the winning team, whose brother Pahasara also received a laptop as a team member, gifting the laptop he won to fellow Mahindian Chalith Koongahage who was the former captain of the team and continued to train and inspire the team to achieve their grand success. This heart-warming gesture by the young student was exemplary of the values the school has instilled among its pupils.
Mr. Gamini Jayewardena, Principal of Mahinda College, Galle, speaking at the occasion said, “All members of the Mahinda Family are with me here today as we all unanimously believe that it is our duty to highlight these sons’ achievement. They showed the entire country what Mahindians are made of when they overcame a very tough competition against Visakha Vidyalaya, another top school in the island. We have over 300 members in our ‘Do You Know Society’ which started off with just 24 students. The real winner today is the long-term plan we had for the club, and the determination of the students, teachers, and parents who helped us put that plan into action. These six champs are representative of their collective enthusiasm and dedication, making it a win for every one of them who untiringly contributed to bring the Society to this level.” He made a special recognition of Pulsara Viriththamulla for his selfless act of giving away the laptop he won to his senior colleague, in a day and age where such generosity is rarely shown by young children given their fascination for latest devices. He also announced the school’s decision to channel a part of the 1-million-rupee prize money to provide drinking water facilities to a few deserving schools in the area.
Mrs. Sujeewa Alahakoon, Teacher-in-Charge of the School Do You Know Society gave an emotional account of all the hard work put in by the team during their journey to the top. While expressing her appreciation to the team for winning the Tokyo Cement Super Quiz crown, she admired their perseverance as a great example to all young school children in the country. Mrs. Alahakoon praised them for their thirst to learn new things and the world around them and also extended her gratitude to the parents for encouraging their children to exercise their young minds and become well-rounded human beings. While dedicating their win to everyone who supported she thanked the Principal for all the guidance and encouragement provided to reach greater heights as one Mahindian Team.
Mahinda College Galle, established in 1892 by none other than the revered philanthropist Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, takes pride in its glorious history as the Alma Mater of many illustrious Sri Lankans such as Most Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Thero, Prof. Siri Gunasinghe, Prof. Nandadasa Kodagoda, Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera, Pioneering Newspaper Journalist D. B. Dhanapala, Veteran Journalist Kala Keerthi Dr. Edwin Ariyadasa, Sundara Nihathamani De Mel and Dr. Anil Jasinghe, earning the reputation as the leading Buddhist boys’ school of the South. With this win they become the 2nd school from the South to clinch the prestigious Tokyo Cement Super Quiz title and now joins the ranks of Royal College Colombo and Richmond College Galle who had won Season 1 and Season 2 respectively.
Mr. Gamini Jayewardena, Principal of Mahinda College, Galle addressing the gathering.
Invitees at the event with parents, teachers, students and members of the Mahinda College OBA.
Mr. B.D. Deepanath, Regional Sales Manager of Tokyo Cement Group presenting the 1-Million-rupee cheque to Principal of Mahinda College, Galle.
Mrs. Sujeewa Alahakoon, Teacher-in-Charge of Mahinda College Do You Know Society speaking at the event
Six-member team who won Tokyo Cement Super Quiz Season 3.