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HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL
By 1950 some of the recommendations
of the Kannangara report had been implemented but many
believed that the opportunities for educational equality were inadequate. So
the state took up the recommendation of the White
Paper on education (1950), to trifurcate education at grade
8, when compulsory education ended.
One of the three streams was the academic. These, in
keeping with this policy, Government
Girls’ College, Castle Street (currently known as Devi
Balika Vidyalaya) was set up with
classes from grade 9 to 12, catering to academically gifted
girls. The Department of Education
further intended this new school to be a centre of
excellence
in science education, an area of knowledge for which
there was great demand after World War II. But not
long after, it became clear that trifurcation of education was not the
answer to our problems. But by then the vision for
Devi as a school for academically gifted girls, specially
strong in science, had taken hold. |
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In establishing this Government Girls’ College, the guidance and support
received from late
Mr. T.D.Jayasuriya as the Director of Education was
admirable. This prestigious educational institution – Government Girls’ College
was founded on the 15th January, 1953, at Castle Street, Borella, constructed with pre fabricated
material, with 53 students and 5 teachers. |
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From the very beginning the importance of extra curricular activities was
recognized though the emphasis was on academic pursuits. Girl Guiding,
dancing (Kandyan, Indian and country dancing), music, sports and drama were
introduced at the inception itself where by the hidden talents of many a
students were discovered and channeled towards personality building. |
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Mrs. Wimala de Silva (Late Deshabandu Dr. (Mrs.) Wimala de Silva) was its founder principal.
With the enthusiasm of a young and energetic staff and
above all with the unstinting help of her husband -
Dr. S.L. de Silva
particularly in developing science teaching, she started this great voyage. |
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More than half a century has
elapsed. Sri Lanka has been gifted with
thousands of patriotic, talented and
skilled daughters dedicated to duty
and service to their motherland,
who brought fame to their school in return. |
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Thanks to the group of Past Pupils who struggled with determination facing all
obstacles with courage, and overcoming all opposition, a
Hostel for Devi Balika Vidyalaya
became a reality in 1997.
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The dream of having a
School Multipurpose Auditorium became a
reality on 5th March,1998 not because of a single person. This was a massive project undertaken in 1985 by the past pupils. Several
fund raising projects were held to swell the fund to match the grant given
by the Ministry of Education. In addition, financial
contribution received from several other ministries, Pelpola Vipassi Foundation,
various Institutions, parents, and
past pupils was a major support in doing this task. Engineering and
Architectural consultancy and various services received from well-wishers
free of charge made the 1st and 2nd stages of this great endeavor - School
Multipurpose Auditorium Project a success. |
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PAST PRINCIPALS AND ACTING PRINCIPALS OF
DEVI BALIKA
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MRS. WIMALA DE SILVA |
MRS. KALYANI DE ZOYSA |
MRS. KANTHA GUNAWARDHANA |
MRS. MERCY EDUSSURIYA |
Principal |
Principal |
Acting Principal |
Principal |
JAN. '53 TO
DEC. '66 |
JAN. '66 TO
MAY '85 |
MAY '85 TO DEC. '85 |
JAN. '86 TO SEP. '86 |
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MRS. PADMA SENANAYAKE |
MRS. SOMA
SUBASINGHE |
MRS.
J. PINNAGODA
|
MRS.HELINA RANAWEERA |
Acting Principal |
Principal
|
Principal |
Acting Principal |
SEP. '86 TO MAY '87 |
MAY '87 TO
DEC. '87 |
JAN. '88 TO APR.
'95 |
APR. '95 to
JUN. '95 |
 |
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|
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MRS. KALYANI LAKSHMAN |
MRS. CHITRA JAYATHILAKE |
Mrs. R.
Malalasekera |
MRS.
DHAMMIKA JAYANETTHI |
Principal |
Acting Principal |
Principal |
Acting Principal |
JUN 1995 TO
MAR.2000 |
MAR. 2000
TO SEP. 2000 |
SEP. 2000
TO MAR. 2008 |
MAR. 2008
TO DATE |
Many of
the past principals were seated together at a function held at Devi Balika. |
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From left to right: |
Mrs. Chitra Jayathilake, Mrs. Kalyani de Zoysa, Mrs. Kalyani Lakshman, Deshbandhu
Dr. (Mrs.)
Wimala de Silva, Mrs. Jayanthi Pinnagoda, Mrs. Soma Subasinghe, Mrs. Mercy Edussuriya. |
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