opposition through a massive rally supported by an enormous petition. Leading this campaign were the most Reverend Fr. D.J. Anthony, General Manager of Schools, Yen. Rathanapala, Head Priest, Sri Sudharmarama Vihara, Mr. A.P. Jayasooriya, Member of Parliament, Mr. Michael Kulathunga, Members, Wattala, Mabole, Peliyagoda, Provincial Council and Mr. T.J. Joseph, on behalf of parents, The Minister of Education Mr. C.W.W. Kannagara had to give in to this agitation. Not only was St. Anthony's College Wattala registered as an Independent School on the 151 of July 1946, but it was raised to the status of senior secondary school.
Several school development projects were laid. The massive project involving the preparation of the playground was launched on 16'" of December. Preliminary plans tor two-storied buildings were prepared during the 151 half of 1947. Rev. Brother Vincent Joseph who fell ill as a result of his tireless struggle to build up and safeguard the school regardless of day or night was hospitalized, in July 1947. Rev. Brother Stephen Harding, who was appointed acting principal continued to administer the school. Our founder, who return after a brake of 6th months concentrated on the task related to the playground.
He succeeded in completing this colossal task undertaken as a student endeavor, with mechanized support of St. Joseph Centre. The speedy and successful conclusion of this project has to be attributed to the support provided by the machinery loaned by V.V. Raja a philanthropist, and a magnanimous devotee. At a splendid sporting event the new St. Anthony's sport grounds were inaugurated under the special ratio of Ms. T.M. James & V.V. Raja on the 29111 of January 1949. Along with the collapse of cadjaned-roofed structUres one after the other, the urgency of adding on space began to surface, following the successful conclusion of the playground project.
lt was with the firm conviction of the impartial support of St. Joseph that the most Reverend Brother Vincent Joseph fearlessly faced challenge. With the setting up of a Building fund money began to come pouring in from all directions. The superiors of the order approved the construction of a building at a cost of rupees 6 hundred million to meet the needs of Wattala. The most Reverend Bishop Thomas Cooray laid the foundation stone to a two storied building on 24'" of June 1950. Venerable Brother Vincent Joseph who built up and safeguarded St. Anthony's went abroad on a short holiday.
The British National Rev. Brother Stephen Harding was appointed director of St. Anthony's on June 271h 1950. The Harding period saw a new chapter open in extra-curricular activities that scout cubs were able to gain several exceptional victories. While the construction work on the first two - storied building was gradually seeing completion, the foundation stone for the second two storied building was laid by Mudalian S.T.P. Rodrigue on the 3rd of December 1950. The year 1951 was a decisive year in the history of the college. Jt was in this year that St.Anthony,s join the Independent free education.
A teacher welfare association was introduced. Rev.Bro.Hardin who served St. Anthony's with a selfless commitment as its second principal bade farewell Jp Wattala, on the 3151 of August 1952 and return to his home country for further studies Venerable Brother ?erend Vincent Joseph who returned to the Island after a holiday abroad took as Dir on 151 September 1952. During his period of service, one become quite distinct in his effort to introduce course with a vocational his special endeavor to Commenced University entrance classes. It period that a commerce stream that included typewriting and along With the establishment of a state of the Art and Handicraft studio, for first time as arts stream was $Jderlfor their advanced level as well as t•Meicti•ve of providing an education that was ihn1nlt1lrv equipment and material were imported