I. M. R. A. Iriyagolle, Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs laid the foundation stone for the Royal Primary School Hall on 11 November 1966.

Specially designed for local drama and music which required open air type auditorium in accordance to Natya Shastra, construction took place between 1966 and 1969, carried out by the 4 Field Engineer Regiment, SLE.

[1] Until it was built there were no purpose-built indoor theatres for the local arts, apart from the few open air amphitheatres.

It was officially opened by the Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake on 1 August 1969.

On 22 May 1972 the House of Representatives of Ceylon met at the Navarangahala to finalise and approve the Republic Constitution, which proclaimed establishment of the Republic of Sri Lanka.