Welcome to the Piliyandala Sir John Kotelawala Maha Vidyalaya website
As you explore our website, you will discover our talented students, our rich history and our diverse strengths. Our commitment as a “Mother School” is to provide a safe and intellectually challenging environment that empowers students to develop the strong personalities essential for meeting the challenges of the twenty – first century.
Sir John Kotelawala Maha Vidyalaya is one of the leading mixed schools in the region, serving students rom Grade 1 through to the Advanced Level within the Kesbewa Education Division. We strive to create a learning environment that inspires staff, students and parents alike. We encourage our entire school community to engage fully in all aspects of school life and to identify with our core values, such as respect, integrity, collaboration and excellence.
We are proud to provide an optimum education and a well-disciplined environment that shapes each child’s character, allowing them to step into the world with confidence. To achieve this we rely on the steadfast support of our school community to bring out the best in every child. The dedication of our committed staff further enables us to achieve our vision by working diligently toward our mission.
We operate under the guidance of the Ministry of Education, the Provincial Department of Education (Western Province) and the Zonal Education Office Piliyandala. We are grateful for their continued leadership and support.
Education at our school goes far beyond text books, it encompasses a wide range of extra-curricular activities. We continuously work to provide and maintain the best possible infrastructure to serve our students. By building character and fostering resilience, we prepare our students to face global challenges without fear. At Sir John Kotelawala Maha Vidyalaya, we thrive on working with our students to help them maintain the momentum of their career dreams and become beneficial members of society.
In conclusion, we remain dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in everything we do.
To bequeath to the country a citizen with a balanced personality who can properly manage
human and physical resources while preserving the culture and identity of the motherland.
A civilized society and an excellent active citizen through optimal education.
There is no luster of doctrine without discipline.
Our college boasts a distinguished history, standing as a shining institution in the Piliyandala region. Established on February 6, 1980, within the sacred grounds of the Kollamunna Bimbarama temple, the foundation of our school was laid through the collaborative efforts of Mr.Dharmasena Atigala, the former Health Minister, and J. A. T. A. Abeyratne, the Education Officer for Piliyandala staff.
Inaugurated under the leadership of Mr. P. A. P. Gunasekara, our school witnessed subsequent stewardship by dedicated individuals such as Mr. S. G. Ariyadasa and Mrs. A. Malani. Following the retirement of Mrs. Ramyalathaa Weerakkody, a pivotal figure in shaping the identity of Navodaya, the esteemed position of principal was assumed by Mr. A.A. Sisira Kumara. Situated on land once owned by the brave General Sir John Kotelawala, former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, our school has evolved into Sir John Kotelawala Maha Vidyalaya, advancing its mission with excellence in the Piliyandala region. Beginning with a modest eight students and four teachers, the school now boasts 98 teaching staff and 2309 students, with numerous alumnicontributing significantly to society.
The primary section, with 683 students from grades 1 to 5, is celebrated in the Batakaththara community for its educational achievements. Beyond academics, the school excels in cocurricular and extra-curricular activities, producing winners in sports, speech and debate, and beauty competitions. Notably, the school clinched first place in the All-Ceylon Drama Festival in 2017, the All-Ceylon Music Competition in 2018, and the All-Ceylon Music Festival in 2022. A focal point upon entering the school is the serene statue of the Samadhi Buddha. Daily activities commence with the Gilanpasa Buddha Pooja, providing a moment of reflection for the students.
The commitment of the teaching staff, coupled with formal supervision processes implemented by former and current principals, has led to continuous growth in national examination results. Plans are underway to further analyze and enhance this process. Recognized by the Zonal Education Office, co-curricular achievements, including the annual Pirith Pinkama, add to the school's accolades. Under the guidance of the present leadership, deputy and assistant principals, and with the support of the Divisional Education Office, alumni, and parents, Middle School confidently treads the path of success.
At the inception of the college, a formal Media Unit was not active; instead, school activities were conducted through the collective efforts of the students. During that period, the activities were managed by Mr. Bandaranayake, a teacher serving at the school at the time.
Later, the former-Principal, Mrs. Ramyalatha Weerakkody, pioneered the establishment of a formal Media Unit and introduced Media Studies as a subject within the school. This initiative was spearheaded by Mrs. Nadeera Deshani. Today, the unit remains highly active, functioning under a board of officials that is updated annually.
Following Mrs. Nadeera’s tenure, the Vice Principal, Mrs. Poornima Kandage, worked to further formalize the unit and expand its operations into multiple languages. Currently, the College Media Unit stands out as a prominent entity within the school, with the Sinhala Medium section managed by Mr. Lakshitha Prabhatha and Mrs. Amali Mangeshka, and the English Medium section managed by Mrs. Gayana Colombage.