St. Mary's College (Chilaw)

St. Mary's College, Chilaw
The motto Potest Qui Vult Latin - (We can if we but try!)
Location
Chilaw Sri Lanka
Coordinates	7°34′57″N 79°47′46″E / 7.582412°N 79.796212°E / 7.582412; 79.796212Coordinates: 7°34′57″N 79°47′46″E / 7.582412°N 79.796212°E / 7.582412; 79.796212
Information
Type	Public
Established	1 May 1933
Founder	Rev. Brother Caesar Albert
Principal	Brother Director Rev. Bro. A. Sandalal Alwis
Grades	Class 6 - 13
Gender	Boys
Age	11 to 19
Enrollment	2500
Campus	5 acres (20,000 m2)
Colour(s)	Black, gold and blue
Pupils	Maryite’s

St. Mary's College, Chilaw is one of the oldest English educational institutes of past Ceylon. St. Mary's College is a provincial school, which provides secondary education.

History

St. Mary's College, Chilaw was established as St. Mary's English School. It was founded in the premises of late G.S. Perera at Jetty Street Chilaw. In 1905 the school was shifted to the Queen Victoria Memorial Hall, which was situated near the cathedral of Chilaw.

On 1 May 1933, the college handed over the administration to the De La Salle brothers and shifted to the current location, its first director was Rev. Bro. Caesar Albert.

It was a mixed school of girls and boys where the former principals were Rev. Father Joseph David Fernando and J. Robert Fernando who were attached to community of Oblates Mary immaculate. Messrs Len Karunaratne, Peter Lawrence Perera, A.G Cambal and Roach were former First Head masters.

Sinhala, Tamil, English languages which were converted to multilingual medium college on 1 May 1933, handed over the administration to the De La Salle brothers and its first director was Rev. Bro. Caesar Albert.

Main Building

St. John Baptist De La Salle -Patron Saint of the college

The college today

The collegey provides education to 2500 students from grade 6 to grade 13. It is governed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chilaw and the provincial government.

College anthem

College crest

• Ocean
• Shining Star
• AM (Ave Maria)
• Motto "Potest Qvi Vult"

The shining star, also known as the ocean star, symbolises Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

College houses

• De Costa House
• Camillus House
• Robert House
• De La Salle House

Past principals (rectors)

Diamond jubilee

Celebration of 75 years since its inception was celebrated on September 17, 2008. The college was founded and formed under the mantle of De La Salle Christian Brothers on September 17, 1933. St. Mary’s College began with a group of three Christian Brothers of the Order of De La Salle.

Rev. Dr. Valence Mendis, Bishop of Chilaw] and Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando, Bishop Emeritus were co-celebrants of Holy Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Chilaw on September 17 followed by a procession to the venue at St. Mary’s College where a meeting was held with the guests, students, parents and well-wishers.

References

• Diamond Jubilee of St. Mary’s College, Chilaw
• Fraternal battle in Chilaw

Derivation
De La Salle Brothers of Ceylon – Part 2 ( 1919-1961 )
By Bro. Michael Robert.
Old Boys Association of St.Mary's College, Chilaw