It is the Alma Mater of many distinguished citizens in Sri Lanka. Established in 1867 adjacent to St. Mary's Church as an Anglo - vernacular school and come under the direction of Benedictine Missionaries, on the Colombo-Kandy road in the Kegalle district. Domenico Pingulani who initiated the school and was in religious missionaries between 1864 and 1880. Mary's College Kegalle was the fifth estab
lished Catholic boys' school in Sri Lanka after the schools of Colombo, Jaffna, Kandy and Galle. When going down the memory lane one cannot forget the proud appearance of St Mary's which a fine edifice of colonial architecture is. In 1893, the Jesuit Missionaries from Belgium took over the management of school and they were in charge of college from the year of 1883 for 76 years. This period could be called the "Golden Era" of the history of St. Mary’s College and it is during this period that the school took its initial steps in the direction of the "Pathway to the Heights". The first Parish Priest was Fr. Neut, who came from the Belgium. From the beginning, the school was famous for the best results at the Cambridge Junior & Senior Exams. The school maintained a very high standard and this is best illustrated by the fact that it admitted overseas students (especially the Indians.) in as early as the 1990s. From the early times, St. Mary's has been famous for scouting. The scouts of yesteryear have participated many activities both in Sri Lanka and overseas as well. Moreover the school has also been famous for its sports and extra curricular activities. In the sports arena, it has an unparallel record and many Marians excelled in sports and taken part of national level and even represented Sri Lanka In several international events. For instance, in the 1950s Mr. John Perera and Mr. Farook from St. Mary's College were members of the National Youth Football Team and participated in foreign tour as well. The other sports Marians excelled in are Cricket, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Carom & Boxing. Under the guidance of the Master in Charge of Cadet Platoon, there was a Shooting Club in school. In the late 1950s, St. Mary's College had its own observatory with a powerful telescope. And from this very early point of time, which St. Mary’s College was honored as the pioneer school in relation to astronomical studies. It is with much pride that we could add that there is an active astronomical society in St. Mary’s College, Kegalle up to this day. When remembering of the schools history, one cannot forget the academic staff of the St. Mary’s College, which consisted of many colorful characters from all over the world. That is to say that teachers from Ireland, Belgium and especially from Italy have rendered their valuable service to the school. This is one the main ingredient of the recipe of our success. The high standards maintained and the rich traditions practiced in this glorious institute has mould many a young persons in good citizens of Sri Lanka and this is why Marians always take the lead wherever they go, be it within Sri Lanka or overseas. We, the present and past Marians remind them with our heartfelt gratitude for their valuable contribution to our Alma Mater.
