Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
Marking the occasion, the Visakha Centenary Walk was held yesterday with the participation of about 5,000 past and present students. The Visakha Centenary Carnival 2017 will be held on April 7 and 8 at Thurston grounds.
A commemorative coin with a face value of Rs. 2000 and a stamp were issued earlier to mark the anniversary. Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy presented the first coin to President Maithripala Sirisena. Visakha Vidyalaya is the first girls’ school to launch a commemorative coin which is a significant achievement for the school.
The school was founded on January 16, 1917 by Jeremias Dias as an institution of learning for Buddhist girls at a time when such institutions were rare. It was initially called ‘Buddhist Girls’ College’ established at a house called “The Firs” at Turret Road, Colombo. It later moved to its present premises at Vajira Road on November 21, 1927 and renamed ‘Visakha Vidyalaya’ by the spouse of then Governor Sir Herbert J. Stanley.
From humble beginnings, it has risen to the position of the most sought-after school for girls in the country.