Introduction

1948 marked Sri Lanka’s independence; however, the political structures, highly developed education system, English language, and Western culture persisted. Sri Lankans, who were ardent adherents to their own distinctive culture and traditions, found this extremely unsettling. They desired that their descendants be raised and educated in a community with their own cultures and traditions. Colombo’s Tamils, in particular, had a tremendous thirst for this.

Founding the Hindu Educational Society

In the 1950s, Tamil intellectuals were appointed to numerous high-level positions within the nation. This resulted in a significant influx of Tamil civilians into Colombo, the capital city. These Tamils had to find a way for their children to be educated with both a Saiva-Tamil heritage and modern knowledge of the world. The requirement for a Hindu Tamil institution became apparent.

On February 5, 1951, a gathering of Saiva-Tamil admirers was held in Colombo as a result of the combined efforts of a number of well-wishers. The Hindu Educational Society was founded on that day under the direction of the Honourable C. Nagalingam. The society was founded by the following 24 individuals:

1. Honourable Justice C. Nagalingam, K.C. (Supreme Court Senior Judge)
2. Representative of the Sammankottar Pillaiyar Temple Trustees Mr.K.Alvapillai, O.B.E., B.A. (Lond), C.C.S. (Civil Servant)
3. Dr.A.Kandiah, A.R.C.S., D.I.C., Ph.D., D.Sc. (Lond), A.I.C.
4. Mr.M.M.Kulasekaram, B.Sc.
5. Dr.V.Nadarajah, L.R.C.P. & S. (Edin), L.R.F.P.
6. Mr. Ratnam C.K.
7. Mr.S.Sellamuttu, OBE, (Colombo’s Mayor)
8. Civil Servant Sir Kandiah Vaithianathan, Kt. C.B.E., C.C.S., B.Sc. (Lond)
9. Mr.K.T.Chittampalam, (Proctor S.C & N.P)
10. Mr.M.S.Kandiah
11. Mr.S.Mahadevan, (Director, Sterling Product Ltd. Senator Peri Sundaram, M.A., L.L.B. (Cantab, Bar-of-Law and Advocate)
12. Mr. Mahdevan Sankar Iyer
13. Later Chairman of Paper Mills Corporation and Eelanadu, Mr.K.C.Thankarajah
14. Mr.R.A. Nadesan (Former Chairman of Express Newspaper Limited)
15. Later President of the Ceylon Law Society, Mr.S.Somasunderam, O.B.E., J.P. (Proctor, N.P.
16. Senator S.Nadesan, Advocate
17. Mr.M.Kanagasabay, M. INST.T
18. Mr.V.A.Kandaih, B.Sc. (London), Advocate (Later M.P. for Kayts)
19. Mr.A.Subramaniam, (Director, Mascons Limited)
20. Mr.A.Ragunather, B,Sc, (Eng) A.M.I.E.F.
21. Mr.K.Satchithan

The Birth of Hindu College Colombo

Then arrives Hindu College Colombo’s dawn. The school has been a prominent educational institution that has produced many well-balanced and educated citizens of the nation for more than seven decades.

Hindu College Colombo was founded on February 12, 1951, under the name “Pillayaar Paadasaalai”. The trustees of Bambalapitiya Sri Sammaankoodu Maanikka Vinaaagar temple and Sri Kathiresan temple donated the land for the school. Beginning with 55 students and two volunteer instructors, the school was managed by the Hindu Educational Society.

Mr. Pathmanathan was the school’s first principal, a position he held until 1957. Mr. V. Sathasivam was the principal of the primary section. With the beginning of senior courses, the school required additional space to accommodate new students. Sir John Kothalawala, who was Prime Minister at the time, laid the foundation for the construction of new structures on land acquired by HES in Ratmalana for the purpose of expanding the school. Beginning in 1955, senior courses were held in Ratmalana and junior classes were held in Bambalapitiya. However, both were administered by the same entity.

Growth and Development

With the assistance of founders and well-wishers, the ‘Saraswathy Hall’ was constructed adjacent to the Bambalapitiya school for the aesthetic development of students. During the years 1957 to 1959, Mr. N. Sathyendra served as the school’s principal. Mr. J. Subramaniyam became the school’s principal in 1959.

In 1962, both institutions were placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, after which they began to operate independently. Additionally, senior courses began in Bambalapitiya. In the same year, Mr. S. Ambalavanar was appointed as the new principal.

Milestones and Achievements

Former Senator Mr. T. Neethirajah lay the cornerstone for a three-story building in 1966. The support of Dr. A. Sinnathamby, the School Development Society, and the Parents made this possible. This structure was inaugurated in 1967 by the then-Minister of Education, I.M.R.A. Eeriyagolla. In 1967, Mr. P. Nalliah assumed his position as the school’s new principal.

In 1968, the school hosted its first-ever Inter House Athletic Meet, making it an important year. Students were divided into four households named after infamous Tamil poets: Bharathy, Valluvar, Kambar, and Elango. In addition, the school’s first Annual Prize Giving was held in 1969, with then-Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake as the guest of honor.

Cultural and Extracurricular Activities

This period marked the beginning of extracurricular activities at the institution. The school’s Tamil Literary Association conducted its first “Muththamizh Vizha” in 1970.

Mr. T. Sangaralingam was the next Principal of the school, beginning his tenure in 1971 and serving for nearly fifteen years.

In 1971, then-Minister of Posts and Telecommunications C. Kumarasuriyar laid the cornerstone for the school’s third structure. In 1972, 8th grade classes began in this building. In the same year, our school was promoted to ‘Maha Vidyalaya’ due to the efforts of our supporters. Additionally, ninth-grade courses were introduced in 1973. The aforementioned structure was completed in 1973, and the then-Minister of Education, Al Haj Badi Udin Muhammad, declared it open. In 1974, the foundation for the next three-story school structure was laid.

1976 was yet another significant year in the history of the institution. The school was promoted as “Hindu College Colombo” in the same year it celebrated its 25th anniversary. The Silver Jubilee celebrations were conducted on May 31, 1976, and the school’s third three-story building was inaugurated by the then-prime minister, Mrs. Srimavo Bandaranayake. In addition, a science center and a library were constructed at the school.

In 1978, the then-Minister of Education, Nissanka Wijeratne, laid the foundation for the school’s fourth three-story structure, which was opened in 1979 by the then-President, J.R. Jeyawardene. 1979 saw the laying of the Administration building, 5th three-story structure, and Main Hall’s foundations. In 1980, the foundation was laid for Ramanathan Hindu Ladies College, the sister institution of Hindu College Colombo, for which land was allocated the same year.

In the late 1970s, escalating ethnic tensions prompted Tamils to relocate to Colombo in search of a more secure education for their children. This resulted in a rise in enrollment, which necessitated that Ramanthan Hindu Ladies College operate independently beginning in 1981.

The then-Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, R. Premadasa, inaugurated the Administrative building of Hindu College Colombo in 1981. In 1983, the Main Hall was also proclaimed open. During the disturbances of 1983, school buildings were utilized as refugee camps. For three months, classes were held at Isipathana College and RCTM school. In 1984, the school recommenced operations in its own structures. During this time, however, a large number of students and instructors had left Colombo, and some had even left the country. Huge efforts were made to restore the institution to normalcy.

Continued Growth and Development

Mr. D.R. Rajalingam was designated the school’s principal in 1986. During his tenure, a canteen (1986) and a pavilion (1987) were inaugurated. The ‘Viththtaga Vinayagar Kovil’ was constructed in 1988. In the year 1989, a dental clinic was founded.

Mrs. Rajamanohari Pulendran, the then-Minister, initiated construction of the Pulendran Block in the same year that Mr. S. Sri Rajasingam was appointed as the school’s principal in 1990.

1991 turned out to be another magnificent year for Mother Hindu. The school’s 40th anniversary was commemorated in grand fashion this year, and the Pulendran Block was dedicated in its honor. In 1991, Mr. P. S. Sarma became the school’s new principal, and on September 11 of that year, our school was elevated to National School status. The school’s cooperative society was also founded in 1991.

The then-President, the Honourable R. Premadasa, was the featured guest at the 1992 Annual Prize Ceremony. The President’s Block was inaugurated in 1994 after its foundation was set in 1993.

The New Millennium and Further Achievements

Dr. T. Muthukumaraswamy was appointed as the principal of the school in 1996 and continued to serve the school as its principal for the next 15 years, which is still the longest tenure held by any Principal. In 1996, Computer Education was introduced, and on the school’s Founders’ Day in 1999, the first-ever ‘Walk’ was organized.

Mr. S. Thillainadarajah, the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education, inaugurated a Botanical garden constructed by students in the year 2000. In the same year, an educational exhibition was also conducted. In addition, Mr. A.H.M. Fowzie opened a new building for Primary classes. In 2000, the instructors of the school donated a van to the school. In the same year, the school’s Advanced Level pupils constructed a water pond adjacent to the ‘Viththaga Vinayagar Kovil and placed a statue of Goddess Saraswathy and four statues of Bharathy, Valluvar, Kambar, and Elango in its vicinity. In 2000, the school’s infrastructure was repaired and buildings were painted in anticipation of the Golden Jubilee.

New Century, New Milestones

In 2001, an educational exhibition was conducted to commemorate the school’s golden anniversary. Former Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha was the event’s honored guest. In the same year, the School Development Society installed audio systems in each classroom, and the Advanced Level class of 2003 gave the school a multimedia projector. A three-story building with a cafeteria on the ground floor was constructed with the assistance of Old Boys from around the globe. A digital printer was donated by the cooperative society.

In 2002, the new cafeteria, computer center, and library for the primary section were inaugurated. In 2002, the school ground was renovated at a cost of 7 million rupees thanks to the combined efforts of students, instructors, parents, alumni, and well-wishers. In the same year, Advanced Level students from the class of 2004 contributed funds to renovate the school entrance.

Continued Upgrades and Progress

2003 saw the reconstruction of the school’s pedestrian path with concrete blocks, thanks to the efforts of 2005 Advanced Level students. In the same year, a science laboratory for students in grades 6 to 9 also opened.

2004 saw the construction of a scoreboard for the school field, bicycle parking, and a basketball court. In 2005, a ‘Vasantha Mandabam’ was inaugurated at the Viththaga Vinayagar Kovil. In 2006, the school erected a three-story building and a gymnasium thanks to a number of donations. In 2007, a temporary computer lab for middle school pupils was established. In 2008, the school’s cooperative society was repaired, and in the same year, the Principal opened the Prefects’ room and the St. John Ambulance room.

Modernization and Advancements

During the 2009-2010 academic year, a CCTV security system was installed. Along with the opening of the Art Gallery, the temporary computer laboratory was made permanent.

In 2011, the Diamond Jubilee was commemorated in grand fashion. A “Diamond Jubilee walk” was organized, and numerous inter-school competitions were conducted on an island-wide scale. The main event was conducted on 15th May 2011, for which then-President Hon. Mahinda Rajapakse took part as its chief guest.

Dr. T. Muthukumaraswamy retired from his position as principal of the school after the Diamond Jubilee, and Mr. I. Rasaratnam was appointed as the new principal. In the 2010s, the education system and extracurricular activities of schools were reformed. In 2016, Cricket Nets were constructed and inaugurated in the presence of Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara, two Sri Lankan cricketers.

Mr. T.P. Parameswaran was designated the school’s new principal in 2016. In 2018, the school’s grounds were renovated thanks to the funds raised by the Old Boys through a number of events. During these years, clever classrooms were also constructed in the school. During the years 2017-2019, numerous classrooms were repainted and renovated. The renovated school grounds were inaugurated in 2020 by the school’s principal.

Mr. K. Manimarrphan became the school’s principal in 2020.