Media Secretary Western Province Governor’s Office

COLOMBO- Old boys and well-wishers of the oldest Madiwela Sri Rahula Maha Vidyalaya, whose name has been changed to Jaya Isura  Vidyalaya, have urged President Maithripala Sirisena to retain the original name of the school because of its historical and cultural significance.

The group of representatives submitted the petition addressed to the President to Western Province Governor Azath Salley at a meeting held at Governor’s Office on Friday.

In a request made to the president, the group of old boys and well-wishers have said that the original name of the school was changed by the former Chief Minister of Western Province Isura Devapriya in April this year. The name of the school was kept in memory of the founder of this institution,” Ven. Nagasthenne Aruna Thero, secretary of the People’s Movement for Protection of Schools.

The Thero said that he would give the authorities seven days time to change the name of the school to its original name, failing which, he said future action will be taken as a remedial measure.

In response to the representation, the governor said that he would take up this matter with the president and would act accordingly. He recalled that he had issued a directive earlier that schools should not be labeled with fancy names unless the buildings are fully funded by philanthropists in memory of their beloved ones.