Nalanda College Colombo

Nalanda College Colombo, established in 1924, is one of Sri Lanka's most prestigious Buddhist boys' schools and a member of the Group of Nine elite traditional schools. Founded during the Buddhist revival movement, Nalanda is deeply rooted in Sinhala Buddhist culture and tradition. The school offers Sri Lanka national O-Level and A-Level programmes from Primary through Sixth Form for male students. Nalanda College is particularly renowned for its fierce annual Battle of the Maroons cricket rivalry with Ananda College — one of the most celebrated school cricket encounters in Sri Lanka — as well as for academic excellence, rugby, athletics, and Buddhist cultural activities. The Maradana campus features historic buildings, a Buddhist shrine room, science laboratories, a large library, sports grounds, and a swimming pool. Nalanda College has produced many of Sri Lanka's distinguished politicians, academics, sportspeople, and Buddhist clergy. The school maintains strong traditions of Sinhala language, literature, and Buddhist philosophy alongside modern academic subjects. Admission is competitive with students drawn from across Colombo and Western Province.