The Principal par excellence

The month of November 2021 marks the 100th Birth anniversary of an Educationist par Excellence, Mr. Sugunadasa Athukorale one of Nalanda’s greatest Principals who guided Nalanda’s destiny for 13 long years from 1969 to 1982. Nalanda was going through a difficult time during the early 1960’s due to various internal issues. The education Ministry appointed young Mr. Gunapala Wickramaratne as the Principal of Nalanda in 1964. Within a matter of weeks he took control of the situation and instilled discipline. Mr. Wickramaratne was able to turn around Nalanda in a short period and Nalanda became one of the best disciplined schools. But his stay was short and he was promoted and transferred in 1969. 

The appointment of Mr. Athukorale as the Pricipal of Nalanda was a kind of a ‘Head Hunting’ by the then Education authorities. Mr. Athukorale, an Old Anandian, was serving as the Principal of Thakshila Vidyalaya, Horana before his transfer. Mr Athukorale who himself was an extremely good Mathematics Teacher found his fiancée Hema also to be another good Mathematics teacher. She later taught Mathematics at Nalanda in the middle school, and became Mr Athukrale’s life partner. His son Upul (Also a Nalandian) is now domiciled in Canada while his two daughters Gayathri and Savithri are living in Sri Lanka. Gayathri served in the tutorial staff of Nalanda as a teacher of Information Technology.    

Mr Sugunadasa Athukorale was born in Keeranthidiya in Matugama on November 12, 1921. His administration skills were fine-tuned when he led the ‘Mathugama, Horawala Dodangoda Gam Sabawa’. He had relinquished his duties as the Head of the Gam Sabawa when Government took over the schools; he automatically became a Government Servant.  

Mr. Athukorale by his actions, behavior and mannerisms set an example to the students. He wanted his students not only to reach national level, but achieve international levels. He encouraged freedom of expression among staff and students, promoted free thinking. 

Mr Athukorale had been a father, teacher and a friend to any student who sought his advice. Students who got caught for wrong doings were not punished initially, but were severely warned and advised not to involve in such acts again. He always believed in giving students a second chance. He pushed students to achieve their full potential. During his time of service. Nalanda reached its peak in Academic performances, by improving the average number of students passing G.C.E (O/L) and (A/L) examinations, also producing the Island’s best students in science streams in certain years. 

During his period, Nalanda reached the top in most of the sports, especially in cricket. Athletics too reached the top level and there were some record-breaking performances. Cadeting prospered and Senior Cadets won the coveted ‘Herman Loos’ Cup. 

Coinciding with the Golden Jubilee of Nalanda the young past students of the school with the support, guidance and initiative, of the Principal Mr. Sugunadasa Athukorale formed the Nalanda Junior Old Boys Association (NJOBA) on January 7, 1975. The foresight the Principal had in supporting this initiative is evidenced today that this Association during its 47 years of journey has become one of the largest and wealthiest OBAs in the country. 
He planned a rigorous programme of infrastructure development for Nalanda. Mr. Athukorale should be credited for Nalanda’s rich infrastructure. A new three-storied Laboratory Building which has a Shrine room an Auditorium and a Library was constructed during his era in 1979. He saw the need for a Theatre Hall to facilitate the development of performing skills and aesthetics of budding Nalandian artists. A state-of-the-art Theatre Hall was constructed and it was named the ‘Malalasekera Hall ‘in honour of Nalanda’s First Principal Dr. Gunapala Malalasekera (1925-1927). These are some of the infrastructure projects this dynamic Principal added to the College.

His loyalty to Nalanda was unwavering till his death. 

His lifestyle was a very simple one. While he had his Volkswagen Beetle parked at school, he used to take the bus plying in route number 166 to go to the Education Department office at Green Path Colombo 2. He was spending public money very cautiously. He preferred to be always among his staff members and students. This was amply demonstrated at the first ever ‘Guru Upahara’ -Teacher felicitation ceremony organized by the Junior OBA in 1997. I consulted him on many occasions for advice at the time I was heading Junior OBA. 

To coincide with the 100th birth Anniversary of this great Principal, Nalanda Junior Old Boys Association is organizing the inaugural ‘Sugunadasa Athukorale Memorial Speech’ via zoom which will be delivered by a prominent Old Nalandian during the month of November. This will be followed by a donation to the school. This programme will be added to the calendar of events of the Junior OBA. The Junior OBA is ever grateful to their founder patron Mr. Sugunadasa Athukorala.  

Athula Jayasekera 
Past President (1995-1998)
Nalanda Junior OBA