Mahanama College
Mahanama College is a national Buddhist boys' school located in Colombo, Sri Lanka, established in 1954. As a public national school, it is controlled by the central government rather than a provincial council. It provides primary education and secondary education.
College
Campus
Mahanama College is located in Kollupitiya, Colombo, with its main entrance on Richard Aluwihare de Mel Mawatha, Colombo 3. The southern boundary of the campus adjoins Church Missionary Society Ladies' College.The school relocated to its present site at Walukarama after initially operating from nearby locations, with primary classes temporarily held at Thurstan College. In the mid-1970s, the Sri Lankan government allocated approximately of land to support expansion. By 1976, the campus included several two-storey academic buildings, with facilities such as additional classrooms and a dental unit added during this period.
A three-storey building incorporating an art gallery was added in 1999. Laboratory facilities, computer sections, and existing buildings were subsequently upgraded and renovated.
History
Mahanama College was founded on 5 January 1954 by Ven. Maawiththara Rewatha Thero at the Walukarama Temple in Kollupitiya, with an initial enrolment of five students.In 1956, the school was registered as a government-assisted junior school. By 1960, enrolment had increased to 163 students, with four staff members, and by 1969 the student population had grown to 373, supported by fourteen staff.
In 1975, 130 students sat the National General Certificate of Education examination, with 107 students passing.
During the 1990s, the school expanded its extracurricular and inter-school activities. The annual school carnival, Foot-Loose, was introduced, and the Battle of the Golds, the annual cricket match between Mahanama College and D. S. Senanayake College, was initiated in 1999.
Administration and education
As a national school, the college receives funds from the Ministry of Education. The ministry appoints the principal who leads an administration that consists of vice principals and academic staff. The school is divided into three levels of education: primary school, middle school, and upper school, which is common in Sri Lanka. Each section has its own head. The school also appoints prefects to maintain discipline. Prefects are pupils with limited authority over other pupils in the school, similar to the authority given to a hall monitor or safety patrol member.Mahanama College only consists of Buddhist students. Sinhala is the language of instruction in the school. However, students may choose either Sinhala or English as their language of instruction for higher education. The school's motto is Vidvān Sarvatra Pūjyate, which means the scholar is respected everywhere.
Principals
- Ven. Vahalle Dhammananda Thero
- J. D. A. Jayakody
- N. E. Fernando
- T. S. Silva
- K. N. P. de Silva
- D. G. Sumanasekara
- K. K. Ratnadasa
- G. Liyanage
- W. H. Premalal Kumarasiri
- U. M. Prasanna Upashantha
- L. M. D. Dharmasena
- R. A. R. M. Rathnayake
- A. M. A. A. C. Perera
- Prabath Withanage
School houses
Students are divided into four houses, whose names are derived from the Sanskrit language.| House | Colour Code | Meaning |
| Mettha | Benevolence, friendliness, amity, friendship, goodwill, kindness. | |
| Karuna | The Buddhist concept of compassion. | |
| Muditha | Joy, or more specifically, sympathetic or vicarious joy; taking pleasure in other people's well-being. | |
| Upekha | The Buddhist concept of equanimity. |
Sports and extracurricular activities
Eighteen sports are played at Mahanama College.Cricket
Mahanama College has a significant, albeit young, cricket history, establishing its first U11 team in 1979, with the help of coach Vernon Perera and principal K. N. P. de Silva.Mahanama College has achieved significant success in school cricket, including being crowned the best team of the Western Province in Division One - Tier "A" for the 2023/24 season, winning the SLSCA Under-13 Division II Cricket Tournament, and reaching the U19 Division 1 Limited Over tournament.
Achievements and milestones
- Champions of Singer U17 Division I Schools Cricket Tournament in 2019.
- Champions in the U13 Division II Schools Cricket Tournament in 2024.
- Runners up in Sri Lanka U17 Division I Schools Cricket Tournament 2025.
- Champions of Sri Lanka U19 Division 1 Schools Cricket Tournament 2025.
Battle of the Golds
Below are listed the results to date:
| Year | Result | Ref. |
| 2007 | D. S. Senanayaka College | |
| 2008 | Mahanama College Won | |
| 2009 | D. S. Senanayaka College | |
| 2010 | Mahanama College Won | |
| 2011 | D. S. Senanayaka College | |
| 2012 | Mahanama College Won | |
| 2013 | Mahanama College Won | |
| 2014 | No result | |
| 2015 | D.S Senanayaka College | |
| 2016 | Mahanama College Won | |
| 2017 | Mahanama College Won | |
| 2018 | Mahanama College Won | |
| 2019 | Mahanama College Won | |
| 2020 | Postponed due to COVID-19 | |
| 2021 | Postponed due to COVID-19 | |
| 2022 | Mahanama College Won | |
| 2023 | Mahanama College Won | |
| 2024 | Mahanama College Won | |
| 2025 | Mahanama College Won |
Battle of the Golds Annual T20 Encounter
The T20 Encounter of Battle of the Golds is a friendly rivalry T20 cricket match between Mahanama College and D. S. Senanayake College. The First T20 Encounter was held in 2025, organised as a tribute to K. N. P. de Silva, former principal of Mahanama College who played a main role in the development of the school from 1976 to 1986, for the K. N. P. de Silva Memorial Trophy.Rugby
Mahanama College began its rugby journey in 1986, with significant recent successes including winning the Premier Trophy and the championship in Division 1 Segment B of the Dialog Schools Rugby League in 2024, earning them a spot in the top-tier league for 2025. In the 2025 season, the team achieved a major milestone by finishing as Bowl runners-up in the Dialog Schools Rugby League.Runners up of The Division One Tournament 1994/1995
Second Runners up in the ALL-Island Division One Category.Runners Up of The Premier Trophy 2008/2009
Runners Up in Division 01 – Segment "B" in 2008/2009Champions of The Premier Trophy 2024
Crowned as the Champions of Premier Trophy by defeating Ananda College.Secured the championship title in Division 1 Segment B of the Dialog Schools Rugby League.
Runners Up of The Bowl Segment of Division One Group "A" Category 2025
Finished as the Bowl Runners-up in the Dialog Schools Rugby League.Secured their first victory in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025.
The college has produced national-level players, such as Kapila Knowlton, Mithun Hapugoda and Darshana Dabare, who have represented national rugby union team.
Basketball
In the 2019, 2nd semi-final of the Boys' U17 All Island "B" Division Basketball Championship, the team was awarded 3rd place.The Battle of the Golds basketball encounter takes place every year where Mahanama College compete with D. S. Senanayake College.
Boxing
The Boxing Committee was founded on 2014. Mahanamian Boxers have shown their boxing skills throughout the years, and their achievements are as follows:L.V. Jayaweera Interschool Boxing Meet
Champions of the 46th L.V. Jayaweera Interschool meet in 2022.Champions of the 43rd L.V. Jayaweera Interschool meet in 2016.
Kasun Fernandoe was awarded best boxer at the 2016 L.V. Jayaweera championship.
The college's boxing coach, Y. M. Anura Yapa, was awarded best coach at the LV Jayaweera Memorial Championship 2022.
All Island Junior Boxing Championship
In 2019, the team achieved a 3rd place overall, bringing home a gold, silver, and bronze medal.Stubbs Shield Boxing Championship
W. T. L. M. Abeysekera, R. I. R. Perera, K. A. V. S. Karavita, and H. S. Nambuwasam were among the college's winning boxers in the Junior and Youth Boys categories. St. Sylvester's College was ultimately the winner, securing their fourth consecutive title. The tournament was a significant inter-school event, with nearly 500 boxers from 132 schools competing.Athletics
The college's athletics program is rooted in its tradition of holistic education, where physical fitness is given equal importance alongside intellectual development.Achievements
John Tarbet Athletic Meet
The athletes of Mahanama College have excelled in the John Tarbet Junior Athletic Meet held in October 2016 at Embilipitiya. The athletic competing in four age groups, under 12, 13, 14 and 15 were able to achieve a remarkable win reaching the standard of merit certificate awards.Cadet
The Cadet Band of Mahanama College were crowned as the Champions of Hermann Loos Trophy in 2010.Co-curricular activities
Societies
Mahanama College Media Unit (MCMU)
The Media Unit of Mahanama College was started in 1987. As one of Sri Lanka's oldest school media units with over 33 years of history and experience, the Media Unit runs its own YouTube channel with 95 videos and over 7000 subscribers. The Media Unit has achieved:- The first school radio to transmit through short-wave amateur radio technology.
- The first school television to transmit a live big match one day encounter on Facebook Live
- Sri Lanka's first school media website to be awarded in Sri Lanka's only web designing competition BestWeb.lk in the year 2020.
The Leo Club of Mahanama College
Founded in 1987, the Leo Club of Mahanama College is one of Sri Lanka's most prestigious and time-honoured school-based Leo Clubs, operating proudly under Leo District 306 D7. With nearly four decades of continuous service and a legacy shaped by 40 visionary presidents, our club has become a beacon of youth leadership, purpose-driven action, and community impact.In 2024/2025, the club was recognised as the most outstanding school-based Leo Club in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, while also securing the title of most outstanding Leo Club in Leo District 306 C2.