Pinnawala Central College was established in 1882 as the 'Government Boys' School' on 0.5 ha (1.2 acres) of land[2] with 45 students and 6 teachers in one building.

In 1963, the opportunity was obtained to follow the Advanced Level Examination in Arts stream increased the classes from grades 1–12 and laid the path for more students to enrol at the school.

Two double-floor buildings were opened as male and female hostels on 0.5 ha (1.2 acres) of land.

The houses are: In 2017, two-day training for Sepaktakraw was scheduled to be held at Pinnawala Central College grounds for the eight schools of the Kegalle District and Uva/Sabaragamuwa Provinces by invitation from the President of the newly formed Sri Lanka Schools Sepak Takraw Association, Wasantha Kumara.

[3] Players from Pinnawala Central College planned to compete at the sport's world championship in Thailand the same year.