Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya, established in 1942 and it is the largest CO-ED institution and the most populated suburban school in Sri Lanka, providing education and endeavouring to build well guided and well-mannered children. The school is situated on a land donated by the great Anagarika Dharmapala, the noble-minded Sri Lankan, in whose honour the school had been named. It is a leading buddhist school in Sri Lanka, which provides primary and secondary education.

The school has nurtured thousands of good citizens and a number of great intellectuals who have done a phenomenal services for the nation. The school was upgraded to the National School status in 1991.

Dharmapala College is located in the suburb of Pannipitiya in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka. it occupies an area of 18 acre (73,000 m2) land along the Colombo - Batticaloa Hwy, bordered by Dharmapala Mawatha to the east, Arawwala Rd to the west and to the south residential area.

The land of the current school was originally owned by Anagarika Dharmapala. Later it was donated by the Don Hewawitharana Family to Mahabodhi Society and was allocated to Dharmapala College in 1940.

In 1940 an English secondary school was established at Pannipitiya as a branch of Ananda College Colombo. This new school was named Dharmapala College. On opening day two major events took place: the opening of Sri Devamitta Dharmapala Thero Memorial building by the Minister of Health, W. A. de Silva, and the ceremonial opening of Dharmapala College by the General Manager of Buddhist Schools, Walter Wijeynaike.

Dharmapala College was managed by the Buddhist Theosophical Society under the direct supervision of the principal of Ananda College, Colombo. It was a school for boys and girls and conducted classes from kindergarten to the matriculation form, in English. Dharmapala College began its work on 8 January 1941. Its founder was Patrick de Silva Kularatne and its principal was Dr. J. E. Jayasooriya.

During World War II a section from Ananda College- Colombo, along with the teachers, shifted to the Dharmapala College premises due to fear of war. To accommodate these students more cadjan sheds were built. Later six permanent classrooms were built for the Primary Section. The then-principal of Ananda College, P. de S Kularathna, led this project. With the exit of Jayasooriya, D. C. Lawris took over as principal in 1943.

The school registered as an independent institute and a Class 1AB school for higher education. Up to H.S.C, many more students started entering Dharmapala. With the help of many donors and with the money collected by the students, another five classrooms were built for the Primary Section.

By February 1947 there were 1,420 students and H.S.C. classes were started. D.C. Lawris left Dharmapala College to take over as the principal of Ananda College, Colombo.

• 06.12.1941 1st anniversary celebrations together with the prize giving under the patronage of Sir Baron Jayatileke.
• 06.06.1951 First soccer match in the newly build ground.
• 28.10.1951 First cricket match in the ground against Mahinda College Galle.
• 25.02.1952 Issuing the first school magazine “Dhampal Vidhuhal Sagarava”
• 14.06.1962 Dharmapala College a was taken over by the government.06.09.1965 25 year anniversary celebration. His Excellency Mr. Wlliam Gopallawa – Governor-General of Ceylon participated as the Chief Guest.
• 08.12.1990 Dharmapala College 50th anniversary official stamp issue.
• 07.11.2010 Earning ISO 9001:2008 quality certification.
• 28.02.2011 Inauguration of the Swimming pool by His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse- the President of Sri Lanka.
• 06.02.2012 First Big Match cricket encounter with Rahula College ,Matara at the Uyanwatta stadium.

Dharmapala College has five entrances which include four gates and a bridge.

The College, occupies a 18 acres (73,000 m) site and accommodates approximately 8,500 students and employs 650 teaching staff.

It provides education for students from grade 1 to G.C.E advanced level with a range of facilities, including the international level cricket ground in Sri Lanka.

The College has badminton court, basketball court, netball court, swimming pool, gymnasium, aesthetic unit, Science and IT labs and Gym etc. Two sports can be played at the same time in the College ground and which is cricket and rugger or cricket and soccer.

Houses of the College

House Name	House Colour	House Logo
Shakya House ‎	Red Colour ‎	Lotus Flower ‎
Maurya House	Blue Colour	Peafowl
Soorya House	Yellow Colour	Sun
Nanda House	Green Colour	Parrot

There are over 40 active student organisations at the college.

Battle of Golden Lions

The annual big match, the Battle of Golden Lions (රුහුණු -මායා සටන), between Dharmapala College and Rahula College is the major sport event in the school. Battle of the Golden Lions is a great event that consists of high quality Cricket, a range of enjoyable social and networking opportunities and more importantly an opening to cherish the Olcott brotherhood.

As Olcott schools, both Rahula & Dharmapala colleges have great histories & stories to share. It is encouraging to note that the school communities have valued greater relationships over the last eight years and Both Schools are sure we can further strengthen these fruitful relationships to create a culture that transcends the existing big match the culture of the country. We are now able to create solid collaborations to build up innovative programs by bringing the shared strengths together to empower the future generations of both school.

The Henry Steel Olcott Memorial Cricket Tournament

The Henry Steele Olcott Memorial Cricket Tournament is an annual cricket tournament conducted among the past cricketers of eight premier Buddhist schools in honor of Col. Olcott, the founder of Buddhist education in Sri Lanka.

Principals of Dharmapala College

Name	From	To
J. E. Jayasooriya ‎	1940 ‎	1943 ‎
D. C. Lawris	1943	1947
G. C. Edirisinghe	1947	1956
R. M. Abeywardhana	1959	1960
G. B. Bannehaka	1969	1971
B. S. Gunesekara	1971	1976
N. B. Perera	1976	1981
D. C. Danapala	1981	1983
R. T. Direcksze	1983	1985
G. R. W. G. Gunawardana	1985	1991
S. H. Kumarasinghe	1991	1994
R. S. Rajapaksha	1995	2004
K. G. Wimalasena	2004	2016
Oshara Panditharathna	2016	2020
K. G. Wimalasena	2020	2021
R. A. Maheshika Rupasinghe	2022	present

The Past Pupils’ Association (PPA) formerly operated under the name Dharmapala Old Boys Association, It was founded on 04.02.1947 under the guidance of Mr. David Silva who was a teacher at the time. The first elected President of this association was none other than Mr. G C Edirisinghe who fulfilled his duties and responsibilities to the association until his retirement in 1959.

The Past Pupils’ Association (PPA) of Dharmapala College has grown rapidly over the years and become the strongest PPA in all the mix schools in Sri Lanka. It has currently a life membership of over 3200. PPA having motivated to help maintain good standard in both academic and other activities of the Dharmapala College, generously contributed in many ways.

Name	Notability	Reference
Ratnasiri Wickremanayake	Prime Minister (2000–2001, 2005–2010), member parliament - Horana (1960–1977), Kalutara (1994–2010)
Kamal Gunaratne	Major General, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence (2019–present)
Oliver Ranasinghe	Commander of Sri Lankan Air Force (1994–1998)
Rohan Daluwatte	Commander of Sri Lankan Army (1996–1998)
M. P. Perera	Vice Chancellor University of Kelaniya (1973–1974, 1983–1985)
Soma Edirisinghe	Corporate Executive (chairman EAP Holdings), Film Producer, Philanthropist
Tissa Abeysekara	Filmwriter, Director, Producer
Eva Wansundera	Solicitor General (2011), Attorney General (2011–2012), Supreme Court Judge (2012–present)
Wimal Wickramasinghe	Member of Parliament - Ratnapura (1989–1994), Deputy Minister of Finance (1989–1994)
Asoka Wadigamangawa	Member of Parliament - Puttalam (1989–2000), Deputy Minister of Lands (1989–1994)
H. D. L. Leelaratne	Member of Parliament - Seruvila (1977–1989)
Chinthaka Jayasinghe	former Sri Lankan cricketer
Rohana Weerasinghe	Musician, Composer, Singer, Teacher
Thumindu Dodantenna	Actor, screenwriter, Lecturer
Narada Warnasuriya	Vice Chancellor University of Sri Jayewardenepura (2005-2008)

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