The pearl of the Indian Ocean was simple and exquisite in ancient times before Roman Catholic education was established in Sri Lanka. It was suffused with natural beauty and uniquely rich culture. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka
Times before Colonialism
The ancient Sri Lankan society was very religious and lived according to the rituals. Education was not one of the essentials. And only the monks were highly educated. The majority of the society was illiterate. Yet they had a successful and satisfying life by getting advice from the Buddhist monks.
The noble families and the royal families obtained education from temples. And the rest of the society learnt about their profession and living style from their fathers and adults. Education for females was not even a topic that society discussed.
The Western Education
But the system changed when Ceylon became a colony. When the Portuguese started ruling Ceylon they built around hundred schools to spread the Roman Catholic religion. And the Dutch initiated the primary school system to back up the existing system.
The main aim of these schools was to foster the emerging Roman Catholic culture. And it came with a lot more benefits. In these schools, they taught English and many other subjects such as mathematics and science. Also, new sports and extra-curricular activities were introduced to brush up the stamina and the personality of the students. Most importantly, the Catholic school system established Girls’ schools that educated the young ladies in the country. They understood that an educated lady can nourish the entire family as well as the society.
Later, different societies and individuals established Christian missionary schools, Buddhist schools, Muslim schools and even Tamil schools. And here are the remaining Catholic missionary schools in Sri Lanka.
- Good Shepherd Convent, Colombo
- Holy Cross College, Kalutara
- Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala
- Joseph Vaz College Wennappuwa
- Maris Stella College Negambo
- St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala
- St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo
- Saint Joseph’s College, Colombo
- St. Joseph’s College, Wattala
- St. Peter’s College, Colombo
- St Peter’s College, Udugampola
- St. Anthony’s College, Kandy
- St. Joseph’s Boys’ College, Nugegoda
- St. Mary’s College, Chilaw
- St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa
- St Joseph’s College, Anuradhapura
- St. Peter’s College, Negombo
- St. Xavier’s College, Nuwara Eliya
- De Mazenod College Kadana
- St. Lucia’s College, Colombo
- St. Michael’s College, Batticaloa
- St. Lawrence’s Convent Colombo
- Holy Rosary School Puttalam
