A local powerhouse in the school rugby scene, Isipathana College has won 60 cup championships in the under 20 category alone and have produced more than 60 players to the national grid, the highest by any school.
The concluded 2016 too proved to be another successful year for the school from Havelock town as they clinched a grand double winning the League and Presidents trophy remaining unbeaten. Despite these amazing feats the school has achieved it all without a ground of their own. The school has also been a dominant force in the cricketing field of late as well and that those achievements too have been achieved in the backdrop of many difficulties with the lack of a ground being one of the major problems. But today, 24th November marked a special day in the school’s history as they were officially handed over the Henry Pediris stadium for their usage.
Isipathana officials have tried their utmost to get the support of the authorities in the past but those discussions failed to reach a conclusion. However this year’s success in the rugby field helped their cause immensely as it caught the eye of Minister Harin Fernando and Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara. Both ministers showed great interest to locate a suitable ground. Isipathana’s dream of having a playground of their own soon started showing signs of great promise as this was communicated to Minster Malik Samrawickrama who in turn directed Minister Faizer Musthafa to hand over the Henry Pediris stadium to Isipathana College. The official agreement was handed over to the college principal Mr. Premasiri Epa at a simple function held at the temple trees this morning while another ceremony was organised by the school officials in the evening at their new home grounds and was graced by Ministers Malik Samarawickrama, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Harin Fernando and senior CMC officials amidst a large gathering of old boys, teachers and students. In his speech, the Principal Mr. Premasiri Epa thanked everyone who worked hard which helped the school finally realise a long desired dream. The move will surely benefit the college rugby teams and other sportsmen in general in the years to come which will also help to strengthen the national teams in future.
