Homagama Central College

The Homagama Central College is a 1 AB Grade school affiliated to the Western Provincial Council (WPC), situated in a serene and tranquil setting approximately one kilometre from the bustling town of Homagama. This co-educational school catering to students from Grades 6 – 13 holds a prominent position in the Homagama Educational Zone.

Prior to 1900, only the Homagama Maha Vidyalaya, situated in proximity to the Homagama weekly fair, was in existence. As time progressed, the demand for a new English-medium school became increasingly apparent. In response to this need, a prominent philanthropist of the era, B. R. Semaneris Appuhami generously offered a cinnamon plantation owned by him for this purpose.

Principal A. Pushpani Adhihetty

In 1937, the prevailing political authority undertook the clearance of the cinnamon plantation and constructed four buildings on the land, which over time transformed into the picturesque institution of learning now known as the Homagama Central College. This campus encompasses an area spanning seven acres.

Established in 1937, this institution was originally known as the Government Senior English School. It was established with the intention of providing educational opportunities to students in the English medium from Grade 6 and above. These opportunities were extended to students from both Homagama Maha Vidyalaya and the Mawathagama College. At its inception, the school had 168 students and had a teaching staff of just five faculty members, as documented in its history.

Dedicated efforts

In 1979, owing to the dedicated efforts and special interest of Minister Gamini Jayasuriya, the school was officially renamed the Homagama Central College. Subsequently, the curriculum expanded to include A-level programs in various fields such as Science, Mathematics, Commerce, and Arts, offering students a broader spectrum of educational opportunities. In 1998, the school introduced Grade 1 classes, marking its transformation into an institution that caters to students from Grade 1 – 13.

The school focuses heavily on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects which are in high demand among students.

Girls are especially encouraged to take up these subjects, keeping future prospects in mind. Moreover, the school quickly adapted to the online delivery of lessons during the Covid-19 pandemic, which enabled students in all grades to continue their education without any interruption.

Currently, each year, all students from the Diyagama Junior College, along with students from two classes of the Panagoda Army College, enrol in Grade 6 at this college. In addition, after accommodating all applicants from Homagama Maha Vidyalaya for Grade 6, any remaining vacancies are filled based on the marks obtained in the Grade 5 scholarship examination. In fact, the school has become a sought after destination for those students who excel at the Scholarship Examination.

The Homagama Central College, with a rich history spanning 80 years, stands as the sole Central College within the Homagama Constituency. The school has excelled in Athletics in 2023 among other sports. Homagama Central College has been instrumental in nurturing a significant number of accomplished individuals.

Notable alumni include Pushpa Kalubowila, a former principal of Sirimavo Bandaranaike College in Colombo, Chirantha Hettiarachchi, an internationally recognised businessman heading the Ritchie Group, and Aruna Walpola, who serves as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

In addition to these distinguished figures, the school has also produced numerous professionals in the fields of law, medicine, and the military. It is an impressive testament to the school’s impact on the local community that 90 percent of the businessmen and businesswomen in the Homagama area are alumni of Homagama Central College.

Principal

The current principal of Homagama Central College is A. Pushpani Adihetti, a Grade I officer of the Sri Lanka Principals Service. She assumed her role on April 17, 2023 and has since initiated numerous changes aimed at the development and advancement of the college.

She conducts her administrative activities guided by the theme “the best thing for children – the right thing for children,” demonstrating her commitment to ensuring the well-being and proper education of the students. She is dedicated to cultivating a disciplined and responsible generation of children through her efforts.

She, along with a dedicated teaching staff of 106 and a non-teaching staff of five, collectively uphold their duties and responsibilities, to serve 2,400 students who are guided to become productive citizens.