Do you hear the echoes of over a century of learning? De La Salle College stands before us a beacon of education in Colombo. It is dedicated to St. John Baptist de la Salle the Patron Saint of Christian Teachers.
De La Salle College was founded in 1905. Rev. Br. Junianus Edward FSC was its founder. The college started with just 22 boys. It aimed to provide elementary English education to the boys of the Mutwal mission. This was the first English school in Colombo North.
Initially, classes were held in cadjan sheds and horse stables. Today, De La Salle College boasts good buildings. One section even overlooks the Indian Ocean.
The De La Salle Brothers manage the college. Their guiding principle is love. They believe men must learn to live with love. This love encompasses all.
Over the years, many Brothers and secular teachers have shaped De La Salle College. They focused on moral and values education. They aimed to form responsible citizens.
The college faced many challenges. These included lack of space and financial support. The instability of the Sri Lankan government also posed difficulties. Despite these challenges, De La Salle College has served the Mutwal community. It has improved the cultural and religious lives of its students.
To foster camaraderie Rev Br Luke Gregory introduced a house system. The four houses are Edward Augustine Luke and Hermenegild. They are named after De La Salle brothers. The house system is used for sports events.
Edward House is named after the founder Junianus Edward. He was the guardian of the school from 1905 to 1925. The house color is green. Augustine House is named after Augustine Joseph. He built the first college hall. Its color is blue. Luke House is named after Luke Gregory. Its color is red. Hermenegild House is named after Hermenegild Joseph. Its color is yellow.
De La Salle College offers various sports. These include athletics basketball cricket soccer volleyball and swimming.
The Mazenodian-LaSallian cricket encounter is an annual event. It is also known as The Battle of the DEs. It has been held since 1955 between De Mazenod College and De La Salle College.
In 2005, De La Salle College marked its centenary. The celebrations were scaled back due to the Tsunami disaster. The school provided shelter to over 600 displaced people.
De La Salle College continues to serve its community. It strives to provide quality education. The college hopes to produce citizens who will contribute to Sri Lanka. The motto of De La Salle College is “Indivisa Manent” which means “Remain Undivided”. This reflects the unity and strength of the school community. Today, De La Salle College has around 1250 students. It remains a national school. The college is committed to the values of St. John Baptist de la Salle.