With the help of foreign missionaries who came to Sri Lanka, he gave English education to local children.

In 1917, the Marist Brothers arrived in Sri Lanka and chose St. Mary's College as their first educational institution.

[citation needed] The Marist Brothers started a school as a branch of St. Mary's College.

[citation needed] In 1960, the Sri Lankan government took over the schools, but the management had decided to make this college private and fee-free.

[citation needed] In 1984 St. Mary's College was named the centre of ten schools in West Negombo.