It was established as the Government Technical College in 1893 at Maradana, Colombo.
In 1906 with renamed as Ceylon Technical College, it was the center for study of science such as chemistry, physics, biology and all technical training and development special in the areas of civil, electrical and mechanical engineering.
The Maradana Technical College Building has become a landmark of Colombo.
The Technical College began preparing students for the external degrees in Engineering of the University of London since 1933 as well as for associate membership examinations of the professional institutions of civil, electrical and mechanical engineering.
In 1966 the engineering technicians courses were transferred to the Institute of Practical Technology.