Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya is one of the leading public girls' schools in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is a National public school controlled by the central government, provide primary and secondary education.
Overview
The school was inaugurated on 1 January 1973 as Stanmore Crescent Primary School and renamed in December 1973 as Sirimavo Bandaranaike Primary Girls School in honor of Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. From a primary school, the school developed into a secondary school and finally to a national school within seventeen years.
At present, the school has over 3,000 students and a staff of about 180 including approximately 45 members of the non-academic staff.
History
Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya was inaugurated on 1 January 1973, as Stanmore Crescent Primary School with five teachers and 149 students under the guidance of Wimala Liyanage, the founding principal. The school's name was "Stanmore Crescent Primary School" and consisted of classes up to grade five.
After eleven months of deliberation, the Deputy Minister of Education, B. Y. Tudawe, suggested to change the name of the school in honour of Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike.
After the initial batch of students finished five years of primary education, classes had to be extended to provide secondary education and in due course classes up to Year 13 were established. Due to the patronage of former principals Wimala Liyanage (1973–1982), and R. M. L. Jayasekera (1982–2000) the status of the school was raised to level of a National School in 1991. Under the guidance of W. P. N. de Silva (2000–2003) the school's academic and co-curricular activities were further developed.
On 6 November 2003 P. M. Kalubowila assumed duties as the principal, having joined Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya in 1986 as a Chemistry teacher. Kalubowila has dedicated herself to serve the school in the sphere of educational and co-curricular activities and to upgrade the infra-structure facilities and resources development of the school.
In July 2009, Kalubowila ordered all students to shut down their Facebook profiles, with a threat of expulsion from school for disobedience. This sparked a controversy in the school system in Sri Lanka. After the retirement of Kalubowila in February 2012, the principal was Dhammika C. Jayaneththi. Malini Herath was appointed as principal in 2013 and she is class 1 in Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service.
School motto
School flag
Past principals
Wimala Liyanage (1973–1982) R. M. L. Jayasekera (1982–2000) W. P. N. De Silva (2000–2003) P. M. Kalubowila (2003—2012) R. M. Herath (2014—2023) Sumedha Jayaweera (2023—present)
Achievements
The students of Sirimavo Bandaraniake Vidyala have accomplished the following achievements in many national and international events.
Clubs and societies
More than 30 clubs and societies are available. Every club and society has a member of the teaching staff overseeing things and helping with administration and organising events.
Agriculture Society
Astronomical Society
Aviation Society
Buddhist Society
Cadets Platoon
Career Guidance and Skills Society
Commerce Society
Disaster Management Unit
Domestic Science Society
Drama Unit English
Drug Abuse Prevention Society
Elocution and Debating Society
English Literary Association
Environmental Society
French Club
Gavel Club
General Knowledge Society
Girl Guides and Little Friends Society
Global Friends Club
Good Friends Society
Information Technology Society
Japanese Language Society
Law Circle
Leaders Foundation
Media Unit
Novel Invention Society
Oriental Music Society
Philatelic Club
Photographic Society
Practical Technology Skills Society
Print Media Unit
Ran-Kekulu Savings Foundation
Science-Mathematics Society
Security and Traffic Warden Society
Sinhala Literature Association
Sisu-Udana Society
Society of Fine Arts
Teachers Welfare Society
UNESCO Society
Western Music Society
Quality Circle
Sports
Athletics
Badminton
Basketball
Carrom
Chess
Gymnastic
Hockey
Netball
Physical Training
Rowing
Squash
Swimming
Table Tennis
Throwball
Volleyball
Soccer
Scrabble
Rifle Shooting
Infrastructure facilities (recent and ongoing projects)