05 on 19th January 1934 by reading Sinhala alphabet to students by Sir D.B. Jayathilaka and English alphabet by Hon. Kularatna. At the beginning 67 students were enrolled and Mr. Ediriweera functioned as the first Principal of the College. The Moratu Vidyalaya, a Buddhist College was declared open to day at 8.05 a.m by Sir D.B. Jayathilaka in the presence of a large gathering. The building was decorated for the occasion and Mr. Fernando, President of the Sri Lanka Bauddha Samithya, Moratuwa under whose auspices the school was Organized called upon Sir Baron to Perform the Ceremony. Sir Baron after thinking Mr. Fernando and the members of the Samitiya for inviting him to perform that ceremony said that he had great pleasure in declaring the college open. Sir Baron then cut a ribbon tied across the entrance and entered the building. Sixty seven children were then admitted to the school. After Pansil was administered by Rev. Malalankara Anunayaka of Koralawella, Sir Baron and Mr. Kularathna, Manager of the school, instructed the boys in Sinhalese and English respectively. About thirty Priests then chanted “Pirith” after which the names of the Children were entered in the register. Sir Baron entering the Particulars regarding the first boy, who incidently happened to be Claude Fernando, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fernando. History
People who devote their time and energy for the well being of others is born in this land from time to time. Among them is the late Mr. Fernando founder of Moratu Maha Vidyalaya who should be well remembered person in the school history. During the time of British rulers the Cristian missionaries started their schools all over the country to spread their religion. Although Buddhists wanted to start Buddhist schools they had no power to do so. Mr. Fernando felt the need to start a Budhist school. He purchased seven acres of land where Moratu Maha Vidyalaya is situated now after mortgaging one of his rubber estates. He later summoned a few of his friends to his residence and formed the Sri Lanka Buddhist Society on May 11th 1924. with the idea of building a conference hall and a school for Buddhists land donated by him to the society. Messrs P. De S. Kularatna, Sir. B. Jayathilaka, W. R. De Silva, Prof. Gunapala Malalasekaera, C. W. Kannangara, K. Prera, M. T. Fernando, Thomas Amarasooriya and many other personalities helped him in this endeavour. The foundation laying ceremony was held on 10th September, 1925 and Bosapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi was also planted. With the support of the people of the area he was able to open the Buddhist Hall on 24th June, 1929 with the Governor Herbert J. Stanly, officiating. The foundation laying ceremony for the Moratu Maha Vidyalaya was also held on the same day. The building of the school came up very soon amidst many obstacles and was
opened on 19th January, 1934 by Sir D. Jayathileka with 65 children on roll. Before three months the student population rose to morethan 250 and very
soon the school became the most recognised Buddhist schoolof the area. With the coming up of the science laboratory and other facilities the school
became a Senior Secondary School in 1935. The building of the school came up very soon amidst many obstacles and was opened on 19th January, 1934 by Sir D. Before three months the student population rose to morethan 250 and very soon the school became the most recognised Buddhist schoolof the area. With the coming up of the science laboratory and other facilities the school became a Senior Secondary School in 1935.
