[3] The club was opened in 1878 for the exclusive use by the British, particularly planters wanting to play tennis.

The first Sri Lankan elected as president of the club was Col. S. D. Ratwatte with S. Wijenayake as the secretary.[4][when?]

The club is located at the south-eastern end of Kandy Lake, adjacent to the E. L. Senanayake Children's Park.

[9] Billiards champions Paul Mifsudy, Norman Dangley, were among others invited to play exhibition matches at the Club table.

In 1989 the second match of the first snooker test series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was played at the club.