St. Joseph's College, Negombo

The great enthusiasm of His Grace Rt. Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, the then Archbishop of Colombo, and his keen interest in the educational upliftment and also his desire to provide equality of opportunity for schools in the outstation that the branch schools, in the modern context became a reality. In the order to carry – out the rich and experienced educational traditions of St. Joseph’s College Colombo 10 another branch school was contemplated and Negombo happened to be the location.

Hon. Joseph Michael Perera (MP) was instrumental in obtaining the land from the board of investments (BOI) together with the substantial donation, gifted this land in Kadolkale, Negombo, to the Archbishop of Colombo to construct St Joseph’s College Colombo 10- Negombo Branch.

This magnanimous task was handed over to Rev. Fr Sudath Gunatileke the then Vice-Rector of St. Joseph’s College Colombo 10. The five acres of marshy land began to flourish with the laying of the foundation stone on 9th March 2005by His Grace Rt. Rev Dr. Oswald Gomis.

On the 23rd July 2005 protocol between the Province of Milan, Italy and the Archdiocese of Colombo was signed by the intervention of Rev Fr Jayamanne the then coordinator for the Sri Lankan Migrates of Milano, Italy which enabled to obtain generous donation was very providential to construct the first phase of the building project.

On the 16th January 2006 the branch school was solemnly inaugurated by His Grace Rt. Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, and Rev. Fr Sudath Gunatileke who spearheaded the project was appointed as the first principal of the college. The grand commencement was marked with an enrollment of 151 students of which was 83 boys and 68 girls with four parallel classes. The first tutorial staff consisted of five members of which Mrs. Felicity Mirando was appointed as the first Head Mistress.

The first newly completed elegant building of the school was declared open by dr. philippo Penati, President of Province of Milano, Italy and solemnly blessed by His Grace Rt. Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis on 3rd February 2007. The very same day, the foundation stone for the second building was laid. The continuous dynamic leadership of Rev. Fr Sudath Gunatileke the Rector of the branch school took up the challenge of constructing the 2nd building and saw its completion amidst enormous hardships.

The second phase of the building project was solemnly blessed and declared opened by His Eminence Malcom Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo together with the Delegation of Benefactors from the Province of Milan, Italy on the 10th March 2010 initiating action in building the third of its kind with a long left need; a chapel…