Education in Sri Lanka has a long history that dates back two millennia. While the Constitution of Sri Lanka does not provide free education as a fundamental right, the constitution mentions that 'the complete eradication of illiteracy and the assurance to all persons of the right to universal and equal access to education at all levels" in its section on directive principles of state policy at (27. Sri Lanka's population had an adult literacy rate of 96.3% in 2015, which is above average by world and regional standards. Computer literacy in 2017 28.3% and phone users in 2017 105%, website users 32% in 2017. Education plays a major part in the life and culture of the country, which dates back to 543 BC. Sri Lanka's modern educational system modeled after Christian missionary system was brought about by its integration into the British Empire in the 19th century. Education currently falls under the control of both the Central Government and the Provincial Councils, with some responsibilities lying with the Central Government and the Provincial Council having autonomy for others. Education institutions with a tradition dating back to 5 BC are largely ignored by the state.
Ranabima Royal College also known as Royal College, Ranabima is a provincial school in Gannoruwa near Kandy, Sri Lanka. The school is surrounded by Gannoruwa and Hanthana Mountains, and is situated on the bank of the Mahaweli river. Dividos sanctuary is located just beside the school, as are the Royal Botanical Gardens and University of Peradeniya. The agricultural research facilities of the Department of Agriculture are also located beside the school. The school is approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) from Peradeniya via the New Colombo–Kandy highway and approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) from the centre of Kandy.
Patrick de Silva Kularatne was a Sri Lankan educationist and politician. He was a Member of the State Council of Ceylon (1942-1947) and Member of Parliament (1960-1965). He served as Principal of Ananda College and Dharmaraja College and established Nalanda College Colombo, Ananda Balika Vidyalaya, Moratuwa Vidyalaya and Dharmapala Vidyalaya. As a member of the executive committee on Education, he played an instrumental role in the realisation of free education from kindergarten to university.
Mapatunage James "M. J." Perera was a Sri Lankan civil servant with nine members in his family in Udumulla, Padukka. He created broadcasting history by being the first Ceylonese Director General of Radio Ceylon, the oldest radio station in South Asia, taking over the helm from John Lampson of the BBC.
Thurstan College is a national school for boys in Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka, providing primary and secondary education. It is located in the Cinnamon Gardens neighbourhood of Colombo 7 near the University of Colombo and the Royal College Colombo. The college is regulated by the central government.
Prince of Wales' College is a selective entry boys' school situated in Moratuwa, a suburb of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, was founded and endowed in 1876 by Sir Charles Henry de Soysa, a famous 19th century Sri Lankan philanthropist and was named in honour of His Royal Highness Prince Albert Edward -the Prince of Wales.
Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya, established in 1942 on land owned by Anagarika Dharmapala, is the largest mixed school in Sri Lanka with about 8000 students and 600 academic staff. It is a public school and provides primary and secondary education.
Wijayatunga Mudalige Harischandra Wijayatunga is a Sri Lankan author, translator, lexicographer, teacher, lawyer and politician. He held various offices in different institutions of the Government of Sri Lanka. At present he is the leader of Sinhalaye Mahasammatha Bhoomiputra Party. During the presidential elections of 1994 and 1999, he was the candidate of that party for this high office.
Ananda Central College-Elpitiya, is a co-educational National school in the Elpitiya division, Galle district, Sri Lanka. It provides education for around 4000 students in grades 1 to 13.
Kala Suri Premasara Epasinghe, is a Sri Lankan cricket commentator and journalist. Considered as an iconic radio personality in Sri Lankan radio, Premasara became a household name in Sri Lankan cricket commentary history.
Kalutara Vidyalaya is a Buddhist boys' school in Kalutara, Sri Lanka. The college was founded in 1941 by Sir Cyril De Zoysa. In 1998, the college became a National School. Kalutara Vidyalaya is a major school providing primary and secondary education.
Kumaratunga Munidasa was a pioneer Sri Lankan (Sinhalese) linguist, grammarian, commentator, and writer. He founded the Hela Havula movement, which sought to remove Sanskrit influences from the Sinhala language. Considered one of Sri Lanka's most historically significant scholars, he is remembered for his profound knowledge of the Sinhala language and its literary works.
Royal Central College - Polonnaruwa is a national school in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka.
David S Jayasekera was a Head Master and Sinhala teacher at S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia.
Kalutara Koralalage Edward Winifred Brito Adikaram was an educationalist, writer, social activist and a philosopher in Sri Lanka. In 1931 he obtained an M.A degree from London School of Oriental Studies and in 1933 a PhD on the thesis "Early History of Buddhism in Ceylon". After returning to Sri Lanka he started to teach in Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte and in 1934, he became the principal of the school. He was a prominent nonviolence activist in Sri Lanka.
Boys' School - Malabe(පිරිමි විද්යාලය - මාළබේ) is a Sri Lankan school for boys ages 6–19, serving classes 1–13. The school is situated in the vicinity of Malabe overlooking the Kaduwela – Battaramulla main road. The school is in the Kaduwela division and the Sri Jayawardhanapura zone. Current enrollment is approximately 4,000..
Pushpadana Girls' College is public girls' schools located in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Wickramabahu Central College , founded in 1946, is a Madhya Maha Vidyalaya located in Gampola in Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is a Buddhist school with around 90 teaching staff members and around 1,500 students. It has been a co-educational school for the past 64 years.
Visharada Alahakoonge Don Jayatissa [Sinhala]), popularly as Jayatissa Alahakoon, was a prolific music director and composer in Sri Lankan cinema and theater.
Polwatta Rathu Baduge Wimalaratne, popularly as P. R. B. Wimalarathna, was a Sri Lankan politician and militant leader. He was a member of the JVP party in the period 1978–1989 and leader of the National Center for Workers' Struggle. He was also known as Wimal Ranbadu, Trinco Wimal, Leslie and Batty Aiya.
