Dharmaloka's motto is "Aloko Uda Paadee," which means "The light has come," a lyric reputed to be mentioned by the greatest philosopher Lord Buddha after he had obtained enlightenment.

Dharmaloka's crest is a circle which contains a symbol of an oil lamp, the school motto, and lotus petals.

Sri Dharmaloka college was a Buddhist English school established in Peliyagoda in 1938 under the patronage of Vidyalankara Pirivena.

Yakkaduwe Pannarama was a scholar priest who became the head of the pirivena and later the Vice Chancellor of Kelaniya University.

Pannarama brought this to the notice of Sir D. B. Jayatilaka, President of the Dayaka Sabhawa, and he suggested that the pirivena must start a Buddhist school near the Catholic area as it is only through education that such persons may be corrected.

Sri Dharmaloka college was opened in 1938 in a small building on land adjoining Vidyalankara Pirivena, and Mr. B.

During this period there were teachers of outstanding abilities such as C. M. Weeraratne, later Vice Principal of Ananda College and mathematics instructor at the University of Colombo, A. P. Jinadasa, H. L. Rathnapala, U.G.P.

de Mel and Brakenridge whose impressive teaching methods influenced former Dharmaloka students who are now doctors, engineers, lawyers and more.