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 The Oriental Studies Society of Sri Lanka will be completing 106 years of its glorious national service as of the 24th of July, 2008.

Below is an extract of the speech made by Mr. E.M. Borose on the occasion of the inaugural ceremony of the Society, providing an understanding of its establishment:

"I was able to grasp an understanding of the Pirivena Educational Institutes on the occasion when I had the priviledge of touring various parts of this country.  I found that these institutions had been established in order to provide studies in Sanskrit, Pali, and classical Sinhala. Those who study in these institutions are elders.  This educational system, which originated as a result of an honest endeavor with a view to acquire self prosperity, has been expanded to a great extent. I believe that this academic service being performed by oriental scholars in various aspects should be streamlined under one general syllabus, and thereby fullfil the noble aspirations in the field of education by adapting the previous components embodied in this educational process made to run as one unique system..."

The above statement reflects the honor, respect, and innermost feelings of Mr. Borose towards the study of
oriental languages in the Pirivena Educational Institutes at that time.  The Society was capable, through the immense dedication and scholarship of the teachers led by the venerables in charge of the institutions, to uplift the educational system relating to oriental language study.

Most Venerable High Priests in our country, namely, Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thero, Ratmalane Sri
Dhammarama Nayaka Thero, Waskaduwe Sri Subhoothi Nayaka Thero, Heiyantuduwe Sri Dewamitta Thero, Madugalle Siddhartha Thero, Mahagoda Gnanissara Thero, Thelwatte Seelananda Thero, who were the pioneers of the Classical Educational system in Sri Lanka were in the forefront of this inaugural meeting.

Reverend Fathers F.A. Edirisinghe and C.W. de Silva who were leading scholar of Oriental Languages were also present at this meeting.

From among the distinguished local scholars who excelled in their knowledge in Oriental Languages, Messrs. C.W. Fernando, J.G.C. Mendia, D.B. Jayatillake, A. Mendis Gunasekara, A. Simon Silva and D.S. Dissanayaka also participated for this meeting. News Paper Editors representing the Journalists in our country, namely Messrs. J. Karunaratne (Sandaress) C. Don Bastian (Daily News) G.H. Perera (Dinakara) C.M. Silva (Sarasaviya) A.J. Wickramasinghe (Shat Bhasa) attended this memorable meeting.

As Government Officers, Gate Mudaliyar W.S. Gunawardene, Translator of languages of the Education Department being led by Mr. E.M. Borose, Director of Education also attended this meeting.

Thus the Oriental Studies Sociey of Sri Lanka was established as a State Institution, controlled by the Department of Education for the purpose of improving Pirivena Educational Institutions and the educational system leading to language studies implemented within them under state sponsorship.

The Post of Patron of the Society, which was established and conducted as a State Institution was throughout held by the Hon. Head of State in our country. Hon. Sir Henry Arthur Blake, Governor was the first lucky Patron of this Society. Thereafter, up to recent times Hon. Heads of State namely, Sir Oliver Gunatillake, His Excellency William Gopallawa, Hon J.R. Jayawardane, Hon. R. Premadasa,, Hon. B.D. Wijetunga, Chandrika Bandaranayaka Kumaratunga held this Post while the present Head of State His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse is the present Patron. The Head of the Department of Education is the Ex Officio President of this Society and accordingly, Mr. E.M. Borose, Director of Education was its first President. Accordingly to the existing Organizational Structure, this Post is entrusted to the Director General of Education.

Gate Mudaliyar W.F. Gunawardane, Translator of Languages of the Education Department was the first appointee to the Post of Secretary of the Scciety. This Post too, is assigned on an Ex Officio basis to an Officer having knowledge in Oriental Languages in the Department of Education (presently Ministry of Education).

The General Committee of the Society is elected by the Votes of its members. These Posts of Committee Members were filled from among members who had excelled i their knowledge in oriental languages. Pariwenadhipathis, Directors of Pirivenas, Pirivena teachers, Professors, Directors of Education, Pirivena Inspectors, Medical practitioners, and lawyers and a host of other highly esteemed Scholars in various fields numbering over 200 have held the posts of committe members.

Well wishers in this field of oriental studies have the opportunity to make their contributions towards this matter.