Born in Wellawatte, Colombo,[2] his career began with his first novel, Siriyalatha, written at the age of 16 after receiving a formal Sinhalese education.

He studied Sanskrit and Sinhala under Pelane Sri Vajiragnana Thero and developed a habit of reading and assessing world literature in his spare time.

Silva edited the Siri Sara (1919–1923) and Nuwana (1940–1946) magazines, as well as a weekly newspaper, Lanka Samaya (1933).

[3] After his death, High Street in Wellawatte was renamed W. A. Silva Mawatha in his honour.

126, W A Silva Mawatha, Wellawatte has been turned into a museum containing artifacts of his time, hand written manuscripts, copies of novels, and other memorabilia.