History

Musaeus College Past Pupils Association was inaugurated in 1934. The first President was Miss Sujatha Nimalasuriya who was also the Principal at that time. The Founder Members are Mrs. Guy Paranavitana, Mrs. Rose Perera, Mrs. C Hapugalle and Miss Elsie Perera.

The First Founders day celebration was organized by the manager of the School Mr. Peter de Abrew. It was attended by past pupils and subsequently it was decided that the Founders Day would be regarded as an annual event for celebration by the Past Pupils Association.

1946 – Membership increased to 86. Numerous activities were organized by the Association such as the concert, stage plays and the prize distribution, which helped to build up the school and widened the activities of the Past Pupils. In 1946 Mrs. Nimalasuriya was succeeded by Mrs. Somie Seneviratne as the President. The Hon. Joint Secretaries were Mrs. M D F Jayasuriya and Miss Nanda de Silva. On the occasion of the Founders Day Celebrations held on 16th November 1946, Dr G P Malalasekera recalled the contribution made by foreigners to Buddhism and Buddhist Education inCeylon. He also recounted the achievements of stalwarts such as Olcott, Woodward and the Founder of Musaeus College Mrs. Marie Musaeus Higgins.

1947 – Mrs. Seela Munasinghe was appointed as the President. The outstanding event of the year was the Prize Giving held at the Higgins Memorial Hall. The Attorney General at the time Mr. H H Basnayake presided and Mrs. Basnayake gave away the prizes. The prize Giving was the outcome of a request made by the Association to the School authorities.

1948 – Mrs. Clara Motwani was appointed as the principal of Musaeus College and duly elected president of the association.

Highlights of her period:

  • The school offered to run as a private school.
  • Past Pupil Miss Lucy de Soysa obtained her doctorate and in her honour MCPPA organized a dinner which was attended by Sir Ivor Jennings as the Chief Guest and the then minister of Education Mr. E A Nugawela.
  • 1949 MCPPA organized a scholarship course in Dress Making.
  • 1950 the Peter de Abrew Memorial Scholarship was inaugurated.
  • Vice president Mrs. C Hapugalle published the life history of Mrs Marie Musaeus Higgins ‘Wana Pasa Mala’ with the help of the PPA.
  • 1951 Inauguration of the Practical Activities Fund.
  • Musaeus College upgraded from a C Grade School to a A Grade School

1954 – Mrs.B I Ratwatte was appointed as the principal of Musaeus College and duly elected president of the association followed by Mrs. R Pereira who was the president in

1958 and in 1962 Mrs. K H Rajapakse was the duly elected president.

1963 – Mrs D G de Silva was appointed Principal of Musaeus College and became the President of the Association. Under her guidance the Association became very active.

  • 1964 the Association donated Rs 5000/- to the Board of trustees to put up a sickroom.
  • Funds were raised in the form of Charity Dances, Dinners, Hamper Sales, Raffles and Film Shows
  • A Scholarship was established for an exceptionally intelligent student.
  • Annually a monthly programme was drawn up by the Committee
  • Monthly committee meetings were held at a house of a member followed by fellowship.

1973 – President Mrs K H Rajapakse

The association organized Fundraiser. It was a Drama by Chitrasena-Vajira “Kinkini Kolama” which was staged at the John de Silva Auditorium.

1981 – President Miss C K Abayaratna

The Centenary year was celebrated in 1993. MCPPA organized a series of events to mark the occasion. A unique feature of these events was the participation of spouses and family members. The friendships formed during these times were binding and maintained up to date.

  • A centenary stamp was issued to mark the occasion. The minister of Telecommunications Hon. A M S Adhikari and Mrs. Adhikari were the Chief Guests.
  • The Centenary Song was written by Mrs. Rani Fernando.
  • A Boddhi Puja was held to invoke the blessings of the Triple Gem to the Founders of the College. This event was well attended.
  • The Centenary Carnival was held at the Sathutu Uyana. This event was a huge success. The income generated from the Carnival was utilized to form the Computer Section of the College which was a crying need at that time. A total of 10 Computers were donated to the College.

The events held in the following years include:

  • Coffee Mornings and Coffee Evenings
  • Raffle Draws
  • A Dance Extravaganza – Dances around the World was staged at the BMICH

The funds generated were utilized to purchase medicine, Wheel Chairs and other equipment for the Armed Forces who were engaged in war at that time and for assistance to school activities when requested.

  • The PPA launched the Felicitation Ceremony for Teachers with 25 years and 40 years of dedicated service to College at the Annual General Meeting during this tenure.
  • The membership register and the issuance of membership cards were re-organized by the Joint Secretaries.
  • Monthly Committee meetings were held in school.
  • The Portraits of Past Principals were unveiled at the Higgins memorial Hall.

In 1994 Mrs N K Pilapiya was appointed the Principal of Musaeus College and the President MCPPA. This is the first instance a Past Pupil became the Principal of College.

under her guidance the Committee ventured into projects aimed at the community at large and School Development projects.

  • Identified Sri Sobitha Vidyalaya Moragasmulla Rajagiriya as a school with students of lower income groups. We assisted in the upliftment of the infra structure of the school and initiated a weekly midday meal to the students (an ongoing project).
  • Organized evening tea to the inmates of theVictoriaHomefor the Incurables once a year (an ongoing project).
  • Inaugurated the series of Marie Musaeus Higgins – Peter de Abrew Memorial Lecture.
  • At a later stage the Committee decided to recognize the students who participated in Sports at international level successfully at this ceremony.
  • The Past Pupils participated in Teachers Day Celebrations.
  • Introduced a Marking Scheme for the admission of Daughters of Past Pupils of Musaeus College. This created a lot of enthusiasm among the Past Pupils and resulted in the swelling up of the membership and active participation of past pupils in the projects undertaken.
  • The inception of the Minor Staff project.
  • A function was held to felicitate and recognize the past pupils who took part in the singing of the National Anthem at the first Independence Day Celebrations of Ceylon. Many past pupils who took part in the original choir attended this memorable event.
  • Refurbished the Parlour in the new office building and the Principals office.
  • Landscaped the area outside the Principals office.
  • The only existing structure of the old buildings- The Temple “Pansala” was renovated and it was decided to paint it annually and carry out any repairs needed by the PPA.
  • Assisted in the launching of the Archives of Musaeus College.
  • Increased the no. of Scholarships offered to the students.

These activities were supported by numerous fundraisers organized by the untiring working committee.

  • Bhathiya and Santhush Musical Show.
  • Millennium Walk.
  • Arts and Crafts Exhibition 2004 – it assisted many past pupils to showcase their talents as well as being a fundraiser.
  • Sing Along with Sam the Man.
  • Carnivals, Avurudu Pola.
  • Dinner Dances- Samba Musaecana and Aqua Rendezvous.
  • Coffee Evening La soiree.
  • Walk for Cheers – in aid of the Elders Home –This project is still on hold as a suitable land has still not been identified

2009 – Mrs. S Dandeniya was appointed principal of Musaeus College and is the present President of Musaeus College Past Pupils Association. Mrs Dandeniya has put in more than forty years atMusaeus College.

The following fundraisers have supported the ongoing projects:

  • High Tea at High Tide and Raffle Draw held at Galle Face Hotel.
  • Dinner Dance Flames on Ice.
  • Musaeus Walk – Sports @ Musaeus.
  • Reverberations 11 Musical Show.