Our Legacy & Vision
Explore the rich 157-year history, leadership, and educational achievements of Sri Gnanawasa Maha Vidyalaya, Divulapitiya.
Our Vision
“ගුණ ඇති දැනුමැති ලොව දිනන මග දකින පරපුරක් සමාජයට දයාද කිරීම”
“Empowering a virtuous, knowledgeable generation capable of navigating and conquering the world.”
Our Mission
“විධිමත් භෞතික හා මානව සම්පත් කළමනාකරණය තුළින් සියලු අධ්යාපන අරමුණු ඉලක්ක ජයගැනීමට සැලසුම්ගත ඉගෙනුම් ඉගැන්වීම් ක්රමවේද ක්රියාත්මක කිරීම.”
“Implementing planned teaching-learning methodologies through structured physical and human resource management to achieve all educational goals.”
157 Years of Educational Service
Negombo Road, Divulapitiya • Land Area: 2A 2R 31P
A Beacon of Wisdom in Divulapitiya
Located along Negombo Road, just 200 meters from Divulapitiya town, Sri Gnanawasa Maha Vidyalaya (Census No: 01469) is a distinguished Type 1-C institution educating 1,364 students from Grade 1 through Grade 13.
Our cornerstone philosophy is guided by the sacred Pali motto, “පඤ්ඤා නරානං රතනං” (Wisdom is the jewel of mankind). From its inception in 1868 with 8 students under Mr. A. Bastian Fernando, the school has developed on a generous land parcel of 2 Acres, 2 Roods, and 31 Perches.
In 1996, the school was honored with its present title in memory of the 10th death anniversary of the Most Venerable Henpitagedara Gnanawasa Thero. Today, backed by 52 active educators and a dynamic School Development Activity Committee (SDAC), we provide comprehensive primary, secondary, and Advanced Level Arts stream education.
Milestones in Our 157-Year Journey
Key moments that shaped Sri Gnanawasa Maha Vidyalaya from a modest hut into a premier national institution.
The Pioneering Inception
Founded near Divulapitiya junction under the initiative of Mr. A. Bastian Fernando as a vernacular boys' school in a thatched coconut-palm structure with just 08 male students and 1 headmaster.
Permanent Masonry Building
Muhandiram D.S. Jayakody donated a portion of his ancestral residential land and constructed a permanent building, legally handing it over to the government and establishing the school at its present location.
Girls' School Established
An adjacent school for girls was established under Headmistress Mrs. Dulinona Weerasinghe to address the critical need for female education in Divulapitiya.
Co-educational Amalgamation
On November 01, 1946, the separate boys' and girls' institutions were amalgamated into a single co-educational mixed school under Principal Mr. A.S. Pathirana.
Maha Vidyalaya Upgradation
The senior section was officially named 'Divulapitiya Maha Vidyalaya' and the primary wing 'Divulapitiya Kanishtha Vidyalaya'.
Expansion by Percy Jayakody
Following exponential student enrollment, senior facilities expanded onto state-acquired land donated by area Parliamentarian Percy Jayakody.
Named Sri Gnanawasa M.V.
On November 03, 1996, to commemorate the 10th death anniversary of the late Ven. Henpitagedara Gnanawasa Thero, formally renamed as Sri Gnanawasa Maha Vidyalaya.
A/L Arts Stream Inauguration
Officially commenced G.C.E. Advanced Level education, establishing the dedicated Arts Stream curriculum.
Our Key Achievements
Celebrating authentic 2023–2024 honors across sports, aesthetics, academics, and national competitions.
Wrestling Glory
All-Island 3rd Place in Wrestling at the National School Games, along with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Places in Gampaha District.
Classical Ragadhari
1st Place in Western Province & All-Island for Bhairavi Raga, Guitar accompaniments, and Zonal Hindi Choir competitions.
Literature & Art
1st Place National Award in Nelson Mandela Children's Literature and 2nd Place in the 5th International Children's Art Contest.
Grade 5 Scholarship
30 students qualified in the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, surpassing regional and divisional benchmarks.
Our Dedicated Faculty & Staff
Guided by Principal Mrs. K.A.S.H. Kulathunga (M.Ed, B.Sc, SLEAS Grade I), our 52 active teachers and support staff nurture 1,364 young learners across 13 grades.
1,364
Total Students
Grades 1 to 13
16
Primary Section
Grades 1 – 5 Teachers
36
Secondary & A/L
Grades 6 – 13 Teachers
8
Non-Academic Staff
4 State + 4 SDS Staff
School Development Activity Committee (SDAC)
පාසල් සංවර්ධන සමිතියේ නිලධාරී මණ්ඩලය
SDAC Chairman (සභාපති)
Mrs. K.A.S.H. Kulathunga
Principal (M.Ed, B.Sc, SLEAS Grade I)
SDAC Secretary (ලේකම්)
Mr. L.A.A.C. Liyanarachchi
Parent Representative
SDAC Treasurer (භාණ්ඩාගාරික)
Mrs. H.A.D. Nalika
Teacher Representative
Leadership & Governance
Principal's Desk • විදුහල්පති පණිවිඩය
Mrs. K.A.S.H. Kulathunga
කේ.ඒ.එස්.එච්. කුලතුංග මිය
Principal's Administrative Suite, Main Admin Block
“Nurturing intellectual wisdom alongside ethical character to guide each student toward personal mastery.”
From our humble 1868 beginnings as a rural vernacular school of just eight pupils, Sri Gnanawasa Maha Vidyalaya has blossomed across 157 years into a premier Type 1-C National School educating over 1,360 young minds from Grade 1 through Grade 13.
Guided by our sacred motto — “පඤ්ඤා නරානං රතනං” (Wisdom is the Jewel of Mankind) — we are deeply committed to balanced, holistic education. We harmonize academic rigor in our Primary Key Stages, Ordinary Level curriculum, and specialized Advanced Level Arts stream with modern digital technologies, including smart classrooms, computer laboratories, and our school LMS portal.
Our students consistently demonstrate excellence on the national stage — from our 2024 All-Island Wrestling bronze and divisional athletic champions to provincial classical Ragadhari music honors. Grounded in Buddhist moral ethos and strengthened by active collaboration between our 52 dedicated educators, the School Development Society (SDS), and parents, we guide every child to conquer the challenges of tomorrow with wisdom and virtue.
Mrs. K.A.S.H. Kulathunga
Principal (M.Ed, B.Sc, SLEAS I) · Sri Gnanawasa M.V.