In 1920 then Parish Priest of St. Anne’s Church Rev Fr. Charles Croctaine thought to build a school to give a sound education for the children in the area.

Mr. R. A. De Alwis a well-known philanthropist in Wattala built a school building in Aweriyawatta area from his own expense which enabled Rev. Fr. to accomplish his wish.

The day, 20th of April in 1920 was a significant day for the whole Wattala area. It was the day that Mr. R. A. De Alwis handed over the new school building to the Parish Priest Rev Fr. Charles Croctaine. Rev. Fr. then named the school after St. Anne and welcomed the Sisters of Good Shepherd Congregation to be in charge of the new school and lead the administration of the school. Thus the school became St. Anne’s English School which brightened the area shedding her light throughout.

Hence the school was established with Rev. Sr. Mary Bertha as the principal and three other sisters. The school was named after the great grandmother of Jesus Christ, St. Anne.

The school became St. Anne’s English School which brightened the area shedding her light throughout.

Even though the school was established for the girls to be educated in English Medium, the boys were also fortunate to study in grade one and two. Therefore at the beginning 3 boys and 10 girls were enrolled to be educated in this school.

Three of the boys who were educated in this school were fortunate to become priests later. They were Rev. Frs. Vincent Deph, Lucian Deph and Alex Ranasinghe.