Our revered tribute to Founder of St. Mary’s College Rev. Fr. D. H. N. Lima O.S.B. whose pioneering and relentless efforts of 23 years brought it up as one of the oldest and leading educational institutes of past Ceylon. St. Mary’s College hails from Nawalapitiya, a town in Kandy District located on the banks of the Mahaweli River. The college was set up and inaugurated in 1915 as an English medium school during the colonization of the island by the British with just 28 students by Rev. Fr. D. H. N. Lima, the Parish Priest of Nawalapitiya on a portion of land donated by the Imboolpitiya Estate. The rest of the land on which St. Mary’s College stands now was gradually obtained with the co-operation of the Nawalapitiya Muslim communities to cater to the increasing student population.

Passing the nebulous infancy years Mr. C. T. Lorage was appointed the First Principal of St. Mary’s College in 1923 in which he served for 7 years

During the period of Mr. C. T. Lorage, two strayed buildings were declared open by Bishop Bade Beekmeyer O. S. B. in 1926.

At the end of the service of Mr. C. T.Lorage, Mr. Dharmadasa was appointed the Principal in 1929. Mr. Dharmadasa introduced Kandyan Dance and formed the College Band which was highly commended by the Colonial Secretary His Excellency G. C. M. Fletcher, when in attendance at the opening of the Fletcher Market at Nawalapitiya.

Mr. S. Sugathapala was the first Buddhist Principal of a Roman Catholic English School. Mr. Sugathapala established a record at St. Mary's College in securing 100% passes at the S.S.C. and J.S.C. examinations. The school was closed on January 26, 1940, as a mark of recognition of the achievement of the girl's section in obtaining 100%passes.

In the nineteen forties, there were three principals serving the school, Messrs. Wilson, Mr.Gnanapragasam, and Mr. U. J. Perera. During this period St.Mary’s became a Government Assisted School. During this period the medium of Sinhala and Tamil was introduced and was extended up to the fifth standard. Mrs. Warnakulasuriya, Messrs Samuel, Gomez, Muttiah, and Anthonypillai served as Head Masters of the Primary Section. In 1948 out of 265 pupils in Primary Section 250 were in the Tamil and Sinhala Mediums and the Manager Rev. Fr. Barsenbech made an application on May 15, 1950, for the separation of the Sinhala and Tamil Sections.

During the period of Rev. Barsenbech (19747-1953) extensions to buildings took shape and it is during nineteen fifties Mr. R. Rajanayagam became the Principal of St. Mary's College. Rev. Fr. Jestus Sinnappu took a keen interest in Football and the playground was further enhanced by Mr.Pieris, the Sports Teacher. The yeoman service of Mrs. I. Phillips at this juncture was outstanding.

An Art Exhibition was held on the 27, 28, and 29 of May 1955.

By June 1, 1960, the school building space was at 3200 square feet.

On January 27, 1961, the Tamil Section was shifted to its old site and the handing over was done by Rev. Fr. Theodore Pieris.

On February 24, 1961 twenty-five Muslim students and furniture were transferred from the Muslim Girls School to St. Mary's Mixed School.

Starting March 3, 1961, all Muslim students were allowed to leave school for Jummah prayers at 12:00 noon and all the Catholic students were allowed to go to Church at 11:00 AM on every Friday of the month.

A renovation at the Tamil Section was carried out on April 13, 1962, at the cost of Rs.429.50.

On November 26, 1960, all the Teachers and Principals opted to serve in Director Managed Schools.

On October 6, 1961, the number of students on roll was 1121.

On March 30, 1962, the school was taken over by the Government, and immediately upon the government takeover, Mr. R. Rajanayagam was appointed as the first Principal of the school. Mr. R. Rajanayagam served for a short period of one month and two days i.e. until April 2, 1962.