Ullala Maha Vidyalaya is one of the leading schools in Kamburupitiya. This was founded by Dinum’s grandfather and the famous philanthropist in the area late Mr D C Hewavidana . Mr Wannige Aruna the new school principal has made a remarkable improvement to the school’s appearance and environment . Under his leadership the children’s discipline has reached the highest standard within a very short period. Parents, old boys and villages have volunteered to renovate the school buildings which had become dilapidated over the years. Quality of teaching has improved remarkably and parents have been queuing up to enrol their little children to Grade 1 at Ullala
At the invitation of the Principal , Dinum and his father Devsiri together with the members of their extended Hewavidana family members, retired Head Master S W Hewavidana, Dharmadasa Hewavidana , Ananda Hewavidana and the Local Educational officer visited the school on 4th January 2013. The school had laid a grand welcome for the VIP guests . They were garlanded at the school gate and were accompanied by the school band to the main hall. Smartly dressed children each holding a beautiful Anthurian were lined up applauding the the guest
After lighting the traditional oil lamp by the guests the ceremony started with paying respect to the school founder Mr D C Hewavidana . Devsiri, Dinum and other Hewavidana family members laid flowers in front of his photo and honoured him with a minute silence. The school then staged a beautiful concert where children in very colourful costumes performed cultural dances , and sang songs . There were many speeches from the dignitaries and staff members . Little Dinum Hewavidana entertained the children and guests with his unique dancing and singing
Addressing the assembly, Mr Sirisena Gamage further assured the children and parents that UK FRIENDS OF GALLE Foundation would renovate and modernise the school library and buy all the new books for it. Mr Gamage also offered a 5 year scholarship to one poor and bright child . Then to the great delight of children, little Dinum handed over a brand new fridge, a cooker, a kettle , a DVD player and a video camera worth nearly 200,000 rupees to the Principal. In his speech Mr Devsiri said that it was an honour and privilege for him to be able to support the school his dear father had founded. He thanked the children , staff and parents for the wonderful welcoming ceremony and promised to donate a valuable and prestige cup called D C HEWAVIDANA Memorial Cup for the winning house at school’s annual sports meet
In his Thank You speech the principal expressed his utmost gratitude to Hewavidana family for the amazing presents the school had just received. He thanked UKFG for their continuing support for the school and mentioned Mick & Valerie Chittenden of Essex who donated a computer and shoes for children a few years before. Mr Aruna assured the guests and parents that his devoted teachers continue to work hard to make the children achieve best O/L and A/L results this year
At the end of the ceremony, Dinum presented all 400 children with a British 2 Pence coin each as a souvenir . Finally all the guest and children were treated to Ice Cream.
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