Gurukula College was started in the 1st of July 1948 with 14 students consisted of both laymen and clergy. As a consequence of an internal conflict Dharmaloka college hither to situated at Vidyalankara Pirivena, Peliyagoda was shifted to Waragoda. Through started as an English medium school. The school from its earliest periods gave priority to cultural and national values and sinhala literature.
The main aim of establishing the school was to bring forth a generation of scholars who would not be enslaved to imperialistic attitudes but who would promote buddhistic values and ethics. Gurukula College became a government school in 1961 and in 27th of August 1954, the school was freed from the management of Vidyalankara Sabha and was established as a senior secondary school assisted by the government. The school declared a government school in 15th November 1960. In 4th May 1964 the school was shifted to its present location at Paththayam Waththa in the station road. Gurukula College was declared a national school in 26th July 1996. Unauthorized buildings constructed regardless of the public protest are still a great obstacle to the well being of the school. Among the old students are nationally and internationally renowned scholars, artist, writers, poets, doctors, executive officers and English literary associations, magazines, wall magazines, debating team, cricket, football and netball teams along with the aesthetic unit of the school are established with the view of developing the skills of the students. The four houses of the school are Vijayaba, Mayurapada, Sunethradewi and Prathiraja.
