Ananda College, Colombo, is founded

Background. The school was established as the Buddhist English high school in 1886, following a national renaissance in the latter half of colonial Ceylon. The island was known as Ceylon prior to its independence in 1948, making the modern name Sri Lanka anachronistic for the 1886 context. The founding was part of broader educational developments in Colombo during British colonial rule.

Founding. An English-Buddhist school was inaugurated at 19 Prince Street in Colombo on 1 November 1886. The event was organized by the Buddhist Theosophical Society following a meeting of Buddhists at Pettah. The school was established under the patronage of Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera, marking the beginning of its institutional history.

Early Development. By 1888, approximately 130 boys were attending the school, which subsequently moved to 61 Maliban Street. The institution was later renamed Ananda College Colombo on 17 August 1895. These early developments occurred within the context of Colombo's educational landscape, which included other prominent schools established during the colonial period.