Rev. Richard Collins founded Trinity College (as The Kandy Collegiate School) in 1872, under the auspices of the Christian Missionary Society based on the traditions of public schools in England. The missionaries took into their ambit the best of our indigenous culture. Today it is one of the leading schools in the country and boasts a rich heritage. The grand Principal of Trinity College Rev. A.G. Fraser brought the school from being a mere provincial school to the status of a national college. In his day (1904-1924) and decades to follow, it became a multi faceted educational institution, equal to that of any leading school in the British Commonwealth. In fact it went beyond being National as in that era boys came to Trinity just to receive their education from countries such as Burma, some African countries, Maldives and Southern India.