History
The University of Sri Jayewardenepura dates to 1873, when the Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thero laid the foundation stone for the university as a pirivena (Institute of Buddhist and Oriental Studies) named Vidyodaya (meaning "awakening of knowledge"). It was built on land at Maligakanda, a Colombo suburb, with funds gifted by Andiris Perera Dharmagunawardhana. Mohottiwatte Gunananda, who was a great force in the emergence of this pirivena, intended to train educated orator monks to save Buddhism. For that purpose he made logic compulsory in pirivena education. The pirivena taught Buddhist studies as well as pseudo-sciences like astrology, widely accepted and held in high esteem in traditional society.
The transition from pirivena to university gradually converted it to a secular center of learning.
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