A Legacy Built Through Education

Founded on October 8, 1934, the school was originally established as the "Kekirawa Silva Buddhist Mixed School." This was made possible through the generous donation of land and buildings (located in front of the temple) by the renowned businessman, Mr. Bastian Silva. It became a government-aided school on May 3, 1937, and was officially taken over by the government on May 1, 1938, operating as a Government Senior Mixed School. Following the C.W.W. Kannangara educational reforms, it was proudly established as Kekirawa Government Central College on July 1, 1945.

The institution began its journey with just 31 students and 2 teachers, including the pioneering first teacher, Mr. A.D. Jayasinghe. The very first student entered into the registry was Mr. A.M. Dharmasena. Classes initially ranged from Grade 1 to the Senior level, with a strong academic focus on Mathematics, History, and a special priority given to English. Early hostel facilities were provided at Palugaswewa Walawwa on Thalawa Road for boys, managed by warden Mrs. Amunugama, while 15 girls were also accommodated in the hostel system.

On March 6, 1951, Hon. D.S. Senanayake laid the foundation stone for the school's present location, a sprawling 24-acre campus. The school officially moved to this new site on August 11, 1953, in a ceremony inaugurated by Sir John Kotelawala. By this time, the school had grown to accommodate 263 students and a staff of 13 teachers. The foundation for the school's Buddhist shrine and Stupa was later laid on June 14, 1957.

The school is steeped in rich traditions. The first inter-house sports meet was held in 1951, dividing students into Abhaya, Tissa, and Kashyapa houses. Dress codes evolved alongside the school, with the "Lama Sariya" introduced as the uniform for girls in 1958, which was later designated specifically for Grades 10–12 in 1959, while Grades 6–9 wore white frocks. While Kekirawa Central College continued to flourish at its new premises, the original "mother school" still operates at its founding location today as Bastian Silva Maha Vidyalaya. A monumental milestone was achieved in 1995 when the institution was officially declared a National School.