The Old Girls’ Association of Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy

The Old Girls’ Association of Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy was founded in the year 1942, by the then Principal, Miss B.T.Rogers (later Mrs. Ratwatte). The main purpose of forming this Association was to build up a close- relationship between the past Pupils and the school at that time. Prior to the year 1960, the O.G.A. of Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy simply gave an opportunity for its members to meet and enjoy themselves in a friendly atmosphere. General meetings were held annually with the sole purpose of strengthening the
friendship between the Past Pupils; this being followed by a Dinner.

Up to the latter part of 1960, Mahamaya Girls’ College was partially funded by the State and was managed by a Board of Governors. On the 1st of December 1960 Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy was taken over by the State. Then in 1961, Mrs. Soma Pujitha Gunawardena became the Principal of the school. Under her able guidance the O.G.A. was re-organized with a new set of Rules and Regulations. These new Rules and Regulations enabled the O.G.A. to give its fullest co-operation and support to the school. Mrs. Gunawardena believed that the O.G.A. could join hands with the Administration of the School and help to maintain a high standard in the School.

After 1960 the State introduced a quota system pertaining to the admission of students to Schools, which enabled the daughters of the Past Pupils to gain admission to the school. This served to strengthen the O.G.A. in all its aspects, there being a great demand to obtain membership. So in order to strengthen its financial stability a remarkable number of Fund-raising projects such as Raffles, Fairs and Bring –and Buy
Sales became popular. In the early 80’s the money thus accrued was used to uplift the standards of the school and support all deserving students. However, mention must be made that achieving such success was not an easy matter. The support of all the successive Principals and the dedication of all the successive Office-bearers of the Mahamaya Old Girls’ Association Kandy, is indeed remarkable.