Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy, the Robarosiland overlooking the Kandy Lake has been the alma mater to many prominent ladies in Sri Lanka. The specialty of Mahamaya Girls’ College is that apart from achieving academic excellence the school records all-around achievements in sports, aesthetic studies, environmental activities, and many other fields.
Mahamaya girls are very popular in sports such as Athletics, Hockey, Badminton, Netball, Swimming, basketball, Chess, Table Tennis, Tennis, and Cricket.
Mahamaya Girls’ College is well-known for its invincible swimming squad which managed to win the all-island swimming championship organized by Sri Lanka aquatic sports union, for the 20th consecutive year in 2018. They started being all Island champions in 1999 and managed to be the proud title holders for 20 years in a row until 2018, allowing mother Mahamaya to be the proud producer of the best Sri Lankan female swimmers.
The victorious history of Mahamaya swimming started in 1991, even before the college pool was established. Nilmini Wicramarathne was the first to take the name Mahamaya to the international level, being a silver medalist at the international SAF games in 1991. The swimming team of Mahamaya Girls’ College has passed many milestones since 1991. The 25 m long college pool was established in 2000 with 8 lanes 5.5ft (1.68 m) deep end and 3ft (0.91 m) shallow end. Every year Mahamaya girls’ College enters the highest number of swimmers for provincial sports meets and all Island sports meet.
Another special event that Mayan swimmers have won is “sea swimming”. Over 1000 swimmers participate in the annual sea swimming championship which organizes by Sri Lanka aquatic sports union. This is one of the oldest open water swimming championships in Asia initiated in 1938. The exceptional fact is that like Kandyans, Mayans don’t have a sea to practice sea swimming. But just after one day of training in the sea these talented swimmers won the championship for many years. This amazing victory explains a lot about Mayan swimmers. Swimming 3 kilometers in the sea amidst the waves is not an easy task, especially after one-day of training. That manifests the courage, dedication, and commitment these Mayan swimmers have.
This much of amazing success cannot happen overnight. The wheels have started rolling years ago. It required courage, dedication, leadership, and bravery to venture risks. Swimmers of Mahamaya Girls’ College are gifted with immensely motivated and supportive teachers who have been lighthouses who guide them throughout their journey. Mrs. Chintha Ruwanpathirana is a devoted teacher who was in charge since 1989. Her guidance rendered throughout 24 years until she retired in 2013.
Mrs. D. Siripala and Mrs. Priyanga Herath are teachers in charge from 2013 until the present. Mr. U. H. Sugath is the veteran swimming coach of Mahamaya Girls’ College who paved the path to triumph. These teachers and coaches deserve the same credit the school receives for being a success story behind the girls.
Dilani Ranaweera, Ruwanthika Fernando, Shanika Wimalanatha, Viludhai Yatawara, Udara Mendis, Madhawee Weerathunga, Hansani Weerathunga, Nethuni De Silva, Uththama Silva, Hasini Hewage, Dewindhya Jayawardhana, Onethra Weerasinghe, Nicoli Bandara, Shanali de silva, Ovini Rathnayake, Lahini Costa, Kimithu De Silva, Sathusmi Dhiwyanjalee, Chamathka Kariyawasam are some of the best swimmers that mother Mahamaya has created.
Since 1991 Mahamaya Girls’ College produced a number of Mayan swimmers with indomitable spirits who reign supreme in winning. We hope future Mayan swimmers will aspire to reach and surpass the standard of excellence set by previous Mayans. Best of luck dear Mayans. May mother Mahamaya Bless you!
Pamodhya Samarakoon
