Sri Sumangala College, in Panadura, Sri Lanka, was founded on March 3, 1909 at Rankoth Viharaya in memory of Ven.Weligama Sri Sumangala Thero, who played an important role in Sri Lankan Buddhism. It is one of the oldest schools in the country. It is a national school, i.e., it is controlled by the central government as opposed to the Provincial Council. It is one of the largest Buddhist school in Sri Lanka, with a student population of 4000 over 13 Grades. The current academic staff numbers over 150. In the year 1911 when this school was registered as an Assisted School there were 325 students on roll. The first Principal was Mr. Thomas E. Gunarathne. The land for the school was donated by the Rankoth Viharaya while the buildings were constructed out of public funds. The school was managed by a Board of Management and funds for the running of the school were met by philanthropists and the general public. Due to the rapid expansion of the College the Rankoth Viharaya premises become congested and there was the necessacity to re-locate the College. The Manager of the Board of Management tried to relocate to Walaw Waththa in 1942, where Sri Sumangala College is presently located.