This school was one of six schools ? closed down or about to be closed down ? where temporary houses will be built for the Tsunami affected. World Vision has been entrusted with the task of building houses in the premises of the Piyaratana Maha Vidyalaya by the Hikkaduwa Divisional Secretariat.  

Piyaratana Maha Vidyalaya was founded by the Venerable  Piyaratana Tissa Nayaka Thera  in 1869 as the first ever attempt to revive Buddhism through the promotion of  Buddhist education. This historic event took place as part of the great Buddhist revival that unfolded after the religious debate of Panadura Vaadaya.

The school was initially known as Jinalabdhivishodhana which after the passing away of the Thera  assumed the present name. The Venerable  Piyaratana Tissa Nayaka Thera  was associated with the group of monks who administered pansil in Galle to Henry Olcott, who initiated a campaign for Buddhist schools in Sri Lanka.