Visakha Vidyalaya


Visakha Vidyalaya is a girls' school in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is a National School founded by the central government providing primary and secondary education.

History

The school was established in 1917 by Celestina Dias as the Buddhist Girls College in a house called 'The Firs' in Turret Road, Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was the desire of Dias to train the school girls according to the Buddhist moral values and principles. In 1927 it moved to its present premises in Vajira Road, Colombo and was named Visakha Vidyalaya by Lady Herbert Stanley the wife of the Governor of Ceylon at that time. In 1939 the school was affiliated to Lady Irwin College, New Delhi to conduct courses in Home economics. Science subjects were introduced to the curriculum in 1946, for the first time in a girls' school in Sri Lanka.

School motto

The school's motto is from the Alavaka Sutta in the Sutta Pitaka of the Tripitaka. When the yakkha Alavaka first confronted Lord Buddha, he threatened to exterminate Lord Buddha unless He, Lord Buddha were to answer all his questions. One of the questions asked was "Kathansu Parisujjhati" to which Lord Buddha replied, "Paññaya Parisujjhati"

Houses

There are 6 houses at Visakha:
Most of the names of the houses are made from the names of past principals.

Past principals

Notable alumni