Isipathana College


Isipathana College previously known as Greenlands College, is a national school for boys in Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka. It was established in January 1952. Presently, it provides primary and secondary education on a campus of ranging from grades 1 to 13, with an enrolment of more than 7,500+ students.
It provides education from Grades 1 to 13 in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages. The college students are known as Isipathanians whilst past pupils are known as Old Isipathanians.
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History

The school commenced in January 1952, with an intake of 400 boys, the overflow of students from the Royal Preparatory School, Greenlands College was established in a coconut grove amidst Havelock Town on Greenlands Road, on approximately.The first principal was B. A. Kuruppu, who was then the vice-principal of Blue Street Central College, Kotahena.
The initial admissions were made by a board composed of principals of Royal College Colombo and Thurstan Colleges, and the headmaster of Royal Preparatory School; classes were organised in all three streams - Sinhala, Tamil and English, with a tutorial staff of seven teachers.
The first principal designed the college crest with the assistance of J. D. A. Perera and Stanley Abeysinghe of Heywood School of Art. It consists of a lighted lamp and an opened book with the motto "Strive with Determination" below. The college colours are dark and light green, which was selected from the college's name.
The first sports meet was held in March 1953, and the first prize-giving was in 1954.
The first issue of the college magazine came out in 1954. In 1956, Vihara Mandiraya and Chaitya were built to commemorate "Buddha Jayanthi year" at school premises. The college had adapted itself to the socio-cultural changes that were taking place since Buddha Jayanthi in 1956, which led to the renaming of the college in 1961. Greenlands Road had been renamed as Isipathana Mawatha after Isipathanaramaya Temple, and the school was renamed as Isipathana Maha Vidyalaya. Within a decade, Greenlands became Isipathana.
In 1962, the college was divided into a junior and upper college, with two separate principals. In 1975, the Education Department amalgamated the junior college with the upper college. In 1999, the schools were amalgamated into a single college under one principal.

Sports Stadium

Isipathana College was provided the Henry Pedris sports stadium on 1 July 2024 through a cabinet decision for its use and management.

Houses

The students are divided into four Houses. The names are derived from four poets - Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thera, Rabindranath Tagore, John Milton and Muhammad Iqbal. The houses compete to win the annual inter-house sports meet.
House NamePoetHouse Colour
TagoreRabindranath Tagore Red
RahulaThotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thera Yellow
MiltonJohn Milton Blue
IqbalMuhammad Iqbal Green

Sports

  • Athletics
  • Archery
  • Badminton
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Boxing
  • Cadet Platoon
  • Cadet Band
  • Cricket
  • Chess
  • Gymnastics
  • Hockey
  • Martial Arts – Karate, Wushu
  • Rugby Football
  • Rowing
  • Rifle Shooting
  • Soccer
  • Squash
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Scrabble
  • Water Polo
  • Table Tennis

Cricket

An annual cricket contest match, 'Battle of Brothers,' also called The Big Match, played against the school's traditional rival Thurstan College. The first Battle of Brothers was in 1963, and there have been 57 matches played, with 41 endings in a draw. Thurstan College won seven times and Isipathana College five times.

Rugby

Isipathana College, formerly known as Greenlands College, has been tagged as the Kings of Schools Rugby, which they have maintained since the school started playing the game in 1963. The college commenced competitive rugby in 1960, led by Randy Keller, playing friendly games at under-17 levels.
Rugby at Isipathana began with Randy Keller, who was an ardent spectator at all the matches that his father played for Havelock SC. Their first senior team to come out was in 1963, led by Bryan Ingram and coached by Y. C. Chang. The college's first major game was against St. Anthony’s College, Kandy, they defeated their opponents by 8 - 3.

Schools Rugby League

Isipathana College has been a dominant force in the Sri Lankan Schools Rugby League, having won sixteen League Championships. The team achieved championship victories in the years 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2022.

President's Trophy Knockout Tournament

Regarded as one of the most prestigious school rugby competitions in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Schools President's Trophy Knockout Tournament showcases the top eight school rugby teams in the country. Isipathana College has emerged as the most successful team in the history of this tournament, securing the championship title on thirteen occasions. The team's victories in the tournament came in the years 1985, 1986, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2022, 2024 and 2025 Additionally, Isipathana College has finished as runners-up in the tournament on fourteen occasions - 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011,2015, 2017 and 2023.

Traditional Rivals

Abdul Jabbar Trophy
The Abdul Jabbar Trophy is an annual rugby match between Thurstan College and Isipathana College. The trophy is named after Abdul Jabbar, a former principal of Thurstan College, who played a key role in elevating the match to big match status in 1967. The encounter symbolises the two schools' longstanding tradition of friendly competition and sportsmanship. Isipathana College holds the upper hand in the series, with 48 victories. There has only been one match that ended in a draw, which occurred in 1975. No matches were played in 1972, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2022.
Major Milroy Fernando Trophy
The Major Milroy Fernando Trophy is a rugby trophy contested annually between Royal College and Isipathana College. Colonel Dudley Fernando donated the trophy in memory of his son, Major Milroy Fernando, who lost his life in a landmine explosion in Omanthai, Vavuniya, on 6 January 1986. Isipathana College holds the upper hand in the series, with sixteen victories compared to Royal College's twelve. Four matches ended in a draw, occurring in 1987, 2001, 2002, and 2013. No matches were played in 1991, 1994, 1995, 2007, 2020, and 2021.
Rizvi Suhayb Trophy
The Rizvi Suhayb Trophy is an annual rugby union match contested between S. Thomas College and Isipathana College. The trophy commemorates the 1989 S. Thomas’ College captain, Rizvi Suhayb, who led his team to notable success. The inaugural match was held in 2025, with S. Thomas’ College emerging as the winners.

Principals

NameFromTo
B. A. Kuruppu1 January 195211 October 1959
S. J. Rodrigo12 October 19597 January 1965
A. H. Wijetunge8 January 196528 May 1965
H. R. Perera1 June 196531 July 1966
H. D. De Silva 1 August 196631 July 1967
G. W. Rajapakse1 August 196730 June 1969
W. T. P. T. Thilakaratne1 July 19699 February 1971
T. E. de S. Leelananda10 February 197122 October 1979
S. de Muthukumarana23 October 197930 December 1980
V. S. Kudaligama1 January 19815 January 1981
Gamini Chandrasekara6 January 198230 January 1987
D. G. W. Jayasinghe1 February 19877 January 1997
H. A. Upali Gunasekara10 January 199731 February 2002
Punyadasa Kuruppu1 January 200319 July 2010
I. M. Kamal Palitha Illanasinghe20 July 201030 May 2011
A. M. A. A. C. Perera1 June 20111 June 2015
Epa K. Premesiri 1 June 201528 February 2020
Pabasara Bandara 1 March 20208 June 2021
Oshara Panditharathna9 June 202130 June 2024
J.A. Sudath Rajapaksha 1 July 202425 July 2024
Darshana Udawaththa25 July 2024Present