Sivali Central College

Sivali Central College
සීවලී මධ්‍ය විද්‍යාලය
Location
Hidellana,Ratnapura Sabaragamuwa Sri Lanka
Coordinates	6°42′48″N 80°23′07″E / 6.71333°N 80.38528°E / 6.71333; 80.38528
Information
School type	National school
Motto	පඤ්ඤාය පරිසුජ්ජති (Verily, let thy soul be made pure by way of wisdom.)
Religious affiliation	Buddhist
Established	1909; 116 years ago
Founder	A.C.Atigala
School district	Ratnapura
Authority	Ministry of Education
Category	Type 1AB National School
Principal	Capt. Neel Dhammika Wathukarawaththa
Faculty	140
Teaching staff	167
Grades	Class 6 - 13
Gender	Co-educational
Age	11 to 19
Enrollment	Over 3500
Education system	National Education System
Language	English Sinhala
Classrooms	82
Colours	Green and Gold
Alumni	Sivalites
Website	sivalicc.lk

Sivali Central College (සීවලී මධ්‍ය විද්‍යාලය) is a distinguished co-educational national school in Hidallana, near Ratnapura,Sri Lanka, known for its long history and strong educational tradition. Founded in 1909 as a Buddhist secondary school by A. C. Atigala, it began with just a handful of students and, with the introduction of free education in Sri Lanka by C. W. W. Kannangara,the school became the first Central College in Ratnapura District, and later being designated a National School in 1992; today it serves over 3,500 students aged 11–19 and is recognized for its balanced emphasis on academics, values, and extracurricular life.

Sivali Central College began its journey in 1909 as a small Buddhist secondary school in Ratnapura with only about 15 students, founded during the British colonial period, by a group of local, education-minded leaders led by A. C. Atigala, and notably started independently of any temple or monastery at a time when missionary and English schools dominated formal education in Sri Lanka. In its earliest days, the school functioned out of a modest house on Warakathota (also known as Gangabada) Road in Ratnapura town and was simply known as a Buddhist school, quietly offering learning opportunities to local children. A major turning point came in 1925 when the chief monk of Nadun Viharaya in Ratnapura donated a property known as Sivali Garden, giving the school a larger and more permanent home as well as a stronger identity. By 1935, the institution had grown significantly and was officially graded as a recognized school, at which point it was renamed Sivali College; under the leadership of principals such as M. A. Peter and P. J. Jayaratne, the school expanded further, opened its primary section, and even formed its first Old Boys’ Association around 1930, showing that a strong community spirit was already taking root. With the introduction of free education in Sri Lanka, championed by C. W. W. Kannangara, widely known as the “Father of Free Education,” the school entered a new era as it was incorporated into the Central College system and became Sivali Central College, earning the distinction of being the first Central College in the Ratnapura District and greatly expanding its role in providing broader access to education. Another milestone followed on 18 September 1955, when the school moved to its present campus in Hidellana on land owned by Mr.A.C. Atigala, giving it the space needed for continued growth and development. Later, on 5 February 1992, the Government of Sri Lanka elevated the institution to National School status, formally recognizing its importance and long-standing achievements in the field of education. Altogether, this early history reflects a remarkable journey, showing how Sivali evolved from a tiny, community-driven Buddhist school into a major national educational institution over the first half of the twentieth century.

1. Mahanuwara Seneviratne(1909-1914)
2. Francis Perera (1914-1919)
3. M.A. Peter (1919-1926)
4. P.J. Jayaratne (1926-05-03 - 1930-09-14)
5. K. A. Dalpadadu (1930-09-15 - 1944-01-31)
6. D.T. Deevendra (1944-03-01 - 1948-05-01)
7. R.D. Sirisena (1949-05-03 - 1951-05-07)
8. M.B. Ratnayake (1951-10-01 - 1955-12-02)
9. D.D.P. Samaraweera (1956-01-02 - 1964-01-04)
10. W.A.D.S Gunathilake (1964-02-04 - 1966-03-10)
11. H.B. Weerakoon (1966-08-13 - 1968-02-24)
12. C.T.M Fernando (1968-03-15 - 1973-05-14)
13. U.B. Ratnayake (1973-05-14 - 1973-06-25)
14. Daya Akuretiyagama (1973-07-02 - 1974-12-20)
15. Capt. Wickman B Ramachandra (1975-01-01 - 1976-05-10 and 1991-05-01 - 1992-10-12)
16. Mohan Sri Kantha Gunasekara (1978-08-01 - 1986-08-11)
17. W.M.D.A. Bandara (1986-10-06 - 1988-06-16)
18. Ariyadasa Withanage (1992-10-28 - 1994-09-28)
19. W.M Gunathilake (1988-06-16 - 1991-03-11 and 1994 - 2001)
20. Dhanapala Mudiyanselage Gunarathne (2001-05-25 - 2004-02-24)
21. Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Gunarathne (2004-03-03 - 2007-08-09)
22. K.K.P. Ariyasinghe (2008-05-15 - 2020)
23. Capt. Neel Dhammika Wathukarawaththa (2020-2024)
24. L.R. Vedage (2024-09 - 2025-04-01 )
25. Capt. Neel Dhammika Wathukarawaththa (2025-04-02 - present )

Sivali Central College has a well-established House System that encourages healthy competition and school spirit. The four houses compete annually in the Inter-House Sports Meet, where they strive to earn the most points across various sports events.

The school is divided into four houses, each named after significant figures and symbols in Sri Lankan history and culture. Each house competes throughout the year to accumulate points for the House Cup during the Inter-House Sports Meet.

1. Atigala - Yellow
2. Parakrama - Green
3. Vijaya - Red
4. Gemunu - Blue

The main event for the House System is the Inter-House Sports Meet, where each house competes in a variety of athletic events. The house that accumulates the most points from these events is awarded the House Cup, marking the highlight of the year for the House System.

1. 2020 - Atigala
2. 2022 - Atigala
3. 2025 - Parakrama