thumb|Richmond College Main Hall

Richmond College (රිච්මන්ඩ් විද්‍යාලය) is a primary and secondary school in Galle, Sri Lanka which was established as the Galle High School in 1876. The founder of the school was the Wesleyan Missionary George Bough. The first principal of the school was Rev Samuel Langdon. In 1876, it was renamed Richmond College.

History

The first College magazine was published in 1887. It was only the second occasion that a school in Ceylon had produced a magazine. The same year, the English Literary Union was formed and cricket was started in the school. In 1894, under the principal-ship of Horatius Hartley, the Richmond College Old Boys' Association was formed. Another important occurrence during that year was the establishment of the College Cadet Corps. Main Hall James Horne Darrel assumed duties as principal in 1896. The school experienced both physical expansion as well as qualitative growth. During his period, Richmond rose to be recognised as one of the best schools in the island. At the local University of Cambridge Examinations of 1905, Richmond earned a top position among assisted schools and second place among all schools in Ceylon. The same year, the Richmond-Mahinda Cricket Encounter was played for the first time, with the two principals, Darrell of Richmond and F. L. Woodward of Mahinda College, officiating as umpires. Darrell sacrificed his life for the college nursing the pupils who were afflicted with 'typhoid' when there was an outbreak in the country and was buried at the Dadalla Cemetery, Galle. W. J. T. Small became principal following the death of Darrell. Darrell and Small are the only two principals of Richmond who have been buried side by side and both principals met with their deaths under tragic circumstances; the former due to typhoid fever and the latter due to an accident.

Principals

The following are the heads of the school from 1876, to-date

  • Samuel Langdon (1876 – 1879)
  • Robert Tebb BSc (London) MA(Cantab)(1879)
  • Samuel Hill (1879 – 1882)
  • Samuel R. Wilkins (1882 – 1888)
  • Arthur Triggs (1888 – 1893)
  • Horatius Hartley (1893 – 1896)
  • James Horne Darrell BSc(Cambs) MA(Cantab) (1896 – 1906)
  • Percy T. Cash (1914 – 1915)
  • W. J. T. Small (1906 – 1922)
  • Alec A. Sneath MA(Manch) (1922 – 1939)
  • John Dalby MA(Oxon) (1939 – 1940)
  • E. R. de Silva MA (1940 – 1957), first Ceylonese principal
  • A. Shelton Wirasinghe BA (1957 – 1961)
  • Claude Ivor de Silva BA (1961), acting

Richmond College (1962 onwards)

  • D. G. Welikala (1962–1971), the first principal after nationalisation
  • J. Munasinghe (1971–1973)
  • S. Kariyawasam (1973–1977)
  • N. P. G. Amarakeerthi (1978–1979)
  • B. Suriarachchi (1979–1986)
  • S. Illayperuma (1986–1994)
  • W. N. R. P. Daniyas (1994–2004)
  • G. V. S. B. Shanthasiri (2004–2008)
  • E. M. S. Ekanayake (2008–2015)
  • Sampath Weragoda (2015–2020)
  • Thilak Waththuhewa (2020–2021)
  • W. P. Niluka Dilruk Weerasinghe (2021–2022)
  • P. S. Pushpakumara (2022 – 2025)
  • R. S. N. Maddumahewage (2025 – 2026) (2025–present)
  • Prabhath Vithanage (2026–present)

Cricket

thumb|Richmond-Mahinda Big Match

The annual cricket match between Richmond College and Mahinda College is known as "the lovers' quarrel". It is one of the longest cricket match series in Sri Lanka, having been played for over 119 years. The match which is also known as the "Lovers' Quarrel" in public, is played at the Galle International Stadium. The Lovers' Quarrel was begun in 1905, under the two principals Rev. James Horne Darrel of Richmond College and Sir. Frank Lee Woodward of Mahinda College.

Notable alumni

See also

  • List of the oldest schools in Sri Lanka

References