Sri Sanghabodhi Central College situated on Colombo-Kandy highway close to Nittambuwa town, in front of Horagolla Walauwa was started at the auspicious time at 3.00 pm on Sunday the 1st of November, 1942 by the Honourable Minister of Inland affairs, Sir Don Baron Jayathilaka. Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara who was the Minister of Education at that time, placed his signature in the log book and started the teaching learning process at this auspicious time. Thus Dr. C.W.W. Kannangarathe became the first teacher of this school. Sri Sanghabodhi College pays tribute to Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara who was a great patriot and called the father of free education in Sri Lanka.

At the inauguration, the chair person was the Minister of Provincial council, Mr. S.W.R.D. Bandaranayake who was the president of the “Sanghabodhi Palaka Sabawa” then. In the inaugural speech made by Sir D.B. Jayathilaka, he stated, “it is sad to note, from Kegalle to Colombo there is not a single Buddhist English School. But this school will fill that scarcity surely. I am also a citizen of Siyane Korale. I wish a student who studies in this school will get the opportunity to become the prime minister of Sri Lanka in the future”

From that speech it is obvious that at the time there was a dearth of Buddhist English Schools in Siyane. This school fulfils the aspirations of the people…..

 

Dr.C.W.W. Kannangara _______ Sri D.B.Jayathilaka_________ S.W.R.D. Bandaranayake

In 1942 the country was ruled by the English. English language was used as the medium of governance at that time. During this period, the bombardment of Japanese in Sri Lanka sent the people living in the town back to the villages resulting in the establishment of branches of the high schools in suburbs.

Eminent people of Nittambuwa and surrounding areas met Sir S.W.R.D. Bandaranayeke and had a discussion. As a result of the discussion “Sanghabodi” was started as a English Buddhist school. Since long ago Attanagalla was well known in Sri Lanka due to King Srisanghabo.  Therefore school was open and named as Sanghabodi central College as a homage to king Srisanghabo.

The school was maintained by the social workers and donors. Their society was named as Sanghabodi Sabhawa. First school was opened close to Thihariya village in the land of Sir Salmon West Rijve Dias Bandaranayeke Mahamudali, but it was a less populated area and the school could not be maintained. Later Sanghabodi sabhawa decided to obtain a land from AWG Seneviratne from 10 years on lease which was a populated area closer to Nittambuwa junction on the way to Attanagalla named Miriswatta.

The first principal of the school was Professor DS Kalugampitiya. Because of his guidance and hard work day by day school was improving. Until the school was registered, constructing building, providing equipments, and teacher salaries all they were paid by the donors of the area. When the laid the foundation of the school, a case of Rs.1000/= was donated by SWRD Bandaranayeke. Rs.2000/= from the money that was collected for the development of “Yakadawala” colony was donated by Mr. J Aric Perera Mudaliyar.

After the period of lease was over a land belonging to Bandaranayeke in front of the Horagolla Walawwa called “Kopikotuwa” was denoted to build Sanghabodi College for the second time. According to the request of SWRD Bandaranayeke, Hapitigama M. Vilbet Fonseka JP laid the foundation to build the school. Before the school was built completely he was fell sick.

Yearly exam results, increasing number of students and the ability of teachers and extracurricular activities brought. The school a notable standard in 1959 26th of September Mr. SWRD Bandaranayeke met with and untimely death, due to this there were vacancies for president of “Sanghabodi Sabhawa” and management of the school. Later Mrs. Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranayeke was appointed for the above vacant positions.

When Mrs. Bandaranayeke was selected the prime minister of Sri Lanka she brought at to the parliament to take over the private school to the government and Sanghabodi was the Frst School is taken over. With the view of expanding the school at present, she donated four acres of land during her government and to up stairs buildings were built. The school was shifted to 3 places during the 25 years. Silver Jubilee was celebrated after 25 years in a grand scale. At the ceremony honorable minister of education IMRA Ieriagolla was the chief guest and he donated Rs.50000/= worth fully equipped laboratory.

To see the welfare of the school the prime minister  appointed a committee consist of the following members PJ Siriwardene JP, J Ramyanayeke school inspector and secretary of “Sanghabodi Sabhawa” DF Atukorala. In 1961 a student cadet corps was appointed to school and for the first time there was a comparison fir 35 cadet teams at Diyathalawa camp in 1963. Sanghabodi came 22nd place. The team was guided by Mr. Thilak Ratnasekare.

Meddles were pinned on 25 girl guides and they started a Girl Guide team in 1962 September. They were sworn to be useful citizens on the 10th of September in 1962.

In 1962, 11th of July parents teachers association was inaugurated. 400 participated in this. Deputy Minister of Health JP Obeysekera participated in this occasion. At the meeting there was a discussion about the lack of space, as a result of it they decided to purchase 5 acres of land from the “Owadi Estate” in Horagolla. The prime minster provided the necessary found to buy the land.

At the start under four houses called Ruhunu, Maya, Pihiti, Malaya, they organize a sprot meet including athletics. In 1955 old pupil association was established but due to various reasons they could not conduct the meeting. 1962 under the guidance of the principal Buddhist student association was organized. With the aim of expanding the social service in 1962, with the membership of 53 students, they establish the social service association. This association made way to provide a home science room for the students. In 1962 senior Sinhala literary association was formed.

Every year the school celebrate the school day in highly, from sport comparisons’ , exam results, extracurricular activities, the Sanghabodi School has come first in the circuit level.

At the start, the first principal of Sanghabodi School was Professor DS Kalugampitiya. There were two teachers and seven students at the time of starting.     

1. Mr. D.S. K.alugampitiya (B.A) 1942-1943
2. Mr. G.D.O. Wajirapani (M.A) 1943-1946
3. Mr. D.D. Bandaranayeke (B.A) 1946-1960
4. Mr. R.T. Direcs (E.T) 1960-1961
5. Mr. J.P. Wanniarachchi (B.A) 1962-1969
6. Mr. S.C. De S. Sirisuriya (B.A) 1970-1984
7. Mr. W.K. Karunaratne (M.A) 1985
8. Mr. L.M. Jayasena (B.A) 1986
9. Mr. S.D.D. Gunasekare (B.A) 1987-1990 March
10. Mr. G.C. Samanlalitha (B.Sc.) 1990-1993
11. Mrs. D.M.P. Jayasinghe (B.Sc.) 1993-1995
12. Mr. K.N.M.A. Nawaratne 1995-1998
13. Mr. S.A.N. Perera (B.Sc.) 1998-1999
14. Mr. S. Rajapaksha (B.Ed, Dip.Ed) 1999
15. Mr. S. Seneviratne (PGDEM) 2000-2004
16. Mr. J. Rajakaruna 2004-2008