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Ananda College, established November 1, 1886 by the Buddhist Theosophical Society, is one of Sri Lanka's oldest and most prestigious schools. Originally it was known as English Buddhist School, describing its stated intention of providing English instruction to Buddhist students who would otherwise have had to go to a missionary school in order to get an English education. The school opened on a modest scale with 37 students in a private house in Pettah. It was later relocated to Maradana and was named after Arahant Ananda, the most devoted disciple of the Buddha.

Today Ananda College stands to be one of the greatest Buddhist schools in Asia, with a student population exceeding 7000 in all 13 grades of secondary education on a campus of over 20 acres.The academic staff of 200 + is led by the Principal, Brigadier B.A. Abeyaratne. Over the years, Ananda has produced notable alumni and thus contributed immensely to Sri Lanka. These include statesman such as the current Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and United National Party deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya, and famous cricketers Arjuna Ranatunga and Marvan Atapattu.

One of the most memorable events in the annals of the college was the visit of Asia's first Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore on November 10, 1922, as chief guest at the annual prize giving. He declared on that occasion: "I acknowledge that the life of Ananda is its humility and unassuming nature." Mahatma Gandhi visited Ananda in 1927.

• Professor W.S.Karunaratne Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United States of America and Mexico, Professor of Buddhist Philosophy and comparative religion, Dean Faculty of Arts and Member of the Board of Regents of the University of Sri Lanka, a mesmerizing public speaker known affectionately as "W. S., the conscience of the nation". Adored by the masses and teacher to the Maha Sangha.
• Dr. N.M. Perera Freedom Fighter, Founder Leader of LSSP & Minister Of Finance
• Muhandiram Thomas Amarasuriya Former President of the Senate
• Stanley Thilakaratne Esq., Former Speaker of The National Assembly
• Regi Siriwardena
• Lieutenant General Hamilton Wanasingha Commander of the Army (16th Aug. 1988 - 15th Nov. 1991)
• Lieutenant General Rohan De S Daluwatta Commander of the Army (01st May. 1996 - 15th Dec. 1998 )
• Lieutenant General Lional Balagalle Commander of the Army (25th Aug. 2000 - 30th Jun 2004)
• Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka Commander of the Army
• Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda Commander of the Navy
• Colonel (Retd) Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Defence Secretary
• Phillip Gunawardana Freedom Fighter
• Ana Punchihewa CEO Pure Beverages Ceylon & Ex President of BCCSL
• Upali Dharmadasa CEO Nawaloka Group & Ex President of BCCSL
• Rohitha Bogollagama Hon.Minister Of Industries & Investment Promotion
• Imthiaz Bakir Markar Former Minister of Media
• Anura Pradeep Hapangama Former Member of Parliment
• Anande Tissa De Alwis Former Minister of Media
• Sam Wijesinghe Secretary General Of Parliament 1977
• D.J. Wimalasurendra pioneer of hydro-electricity in Sri Lanka
• Dharmasiri Senanayaka Former Minister of Tourism & Media
• Thilan Wijesingha Former Chief Of BOI
• A.S.Jayawardena Governor Of Central Bank
• Prof. D.A. Ranasinghe
• Arjuna Ranatunga Former Sri Lanka cricket captain
• Marvan Atapattu Former Sri Lanka cricket captain

• C. W. Leadbeater (1886-1890)
• A. E. Buultjens (1890 - 1898)
• Sir D.B. Jayathilaka (1898-1908)
• J.T. Davis (1908-1909)
• M. C. Moore (1910-1913)
• Fritz Kunz (1914 - 1917)
• P. de S. Kularatne (1923 - 1932)
• Dr. G. P. Malalasekera (1932)
• L. H. Mettananda (1945 - 1953)
• Colonel. G.W. Rajapaksha (1971)
• T.B. Damunupola (1995-2001)

• Ananda College
• Ananda Old Boys Association
• Ananda Old Boys Association, Australia
• AnandaNET
• Nalanda College, Sri Lanka