Many years ago, the plot of land known as Aluthwatta on which the Moratu Maha Vidyalaya stands today was purchased by M.J.C. Fernando to establish a centre for Buddhists in the area.
The Sri Lanka Buddhist Society was founded on May 11, 1924. Following this, on July 28, 1924, the foundation stone for the Moratuwa Buddhist Mandir was laid, and the Mandir was officially inaugurated on June 24, 1929 with an elaborate ceremony.
Principal
Ruwan Arambepola
On the opening day of the Buddhist Mandir, another noteworthy event transpired following Fernando’s vision. The foundation stone for the establishment of an academy dedicated to the education and well-being of Moratuwa Buddhist children was laid on that significant day.
Accordingly, on January 19, 1934, the Moratu Maha Vidyalaya opened its doors to 65 Buddhist children in the area. The school has grown by leaps and bounds since.
Classes
As of today, the co-education Moratu Maha Vidyalaya accommodates approximately 2,200 students, comprising nearly 100 teaching staff and seven non-teaching staff. A distinctive feature is the offering of classes from Grade one to Grade 13, organised with five parallel classes.
Moratu Maha Vidyalaya’s A-Level Department covers a range of subjects, including Arts, Commerce, Science, Mathematics, Technology, and a 13-year certified Continuing Education Program (CEP).
This means that students will be able to successfully enter the job market even if they do not enter a State university or another higher educational institution. The Department takes pride in producing numerous professionals, including lawyers, teachers, professors, doctors, and engineers in the city of Moratuwa.
Moratu Maha Vidyalaya has earned a significant reputation at the Grade 5 Scholarship and Ordinary Level examinations by consistently achieving commendable results, placing the school in competitive standing alongside other institutions in the region.
Moratuwa’s students have extended the pride of the college globally through their participation in extracurricular activities. Annually, these students achieve numerous victories at regional and provincial levels in competitions involving Sinhala and English languages, as well as social science competitions and more.
Distinctive
Sports hold a distinctive position among the inherent talents of Moratu Maha Vidyalaya students. The students of Moratu Vidyalaya showcase their skills on the local and global stages through track and field competitions, team events, and more. Moratu Vidyalaya consistently secures triumphs in various sports, both domestically and internationally, enhancing its prestige with each passing year.
At present, a diverse array of individuals such as artists, announcers, actors, actresses, singers and sportsmen are flourishing in the nurturing environment of Moratu Maha Vidyalaya. They continue to grow and thrive, casting their influence in various fields, and are poised to make their mark on the global stage in the future.
The new leadership under the guidance of the college’s new Principal, Ruwan Arambepola, signifies the commencement of a new chapter for the institution. With a remarkable intellect, artistic sensibility, and a compassionate heart, Arambepola leads the way, while the entire teaching staff unites to contribute to the school’s development.
With the guidance and leadership of the new principal, the institution is implementing various projects and programs aimed at enhancing its reputation and showcasing its achievements to the world in the upcoming New Year.
The school also adapted to the online environment with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and even after it has abated, the school gives pride of place to new technology, with plans for smart classrooms and other innovative educational solutions. While Moratuwa is home to many reputed schools which are better known, the Moratu Vidyalaya has carved its own niche in the area, hoping to do better than its more famous counterparts in the future.
Pix By Nissanka Wijeratne
