Prof. Mahinda Palihawadana

Palihawadana Ralahamy, the Registrar of Malimbada, had five sons and one daughter: Sunny, Padma, Mahinda, Amara, Siri, and Nimal. Mr. Peter Wijesinghe, Palihawadana Ralahamy's brother-in-law, was a member of the editorial staff at the Dinamina newspaper and had a special fondness for little Mahinda, the third child in the family. He sought his sister's permission to take Mahinda to Colombo, accompanied by an elderly housemaid, to enroll him in a suitable school.

- Nimal Palihawadana

At the time, Mr. Wijesinghe's good friend, Dr. E. W. Adikaram, was the Principal of Ananda Shasthralaya in Kotte. On the day of admission, Mahinda was introduced to the principal by his uncle. Dr. Adikaram asked the calm and composed child a few questions, all of which Mahinda answered promptly and confidently. Impressed by the child's intelligence, Dr. Adikaram—a visionary educator—recognized Mahinda's potential and ensured that he was provided with all the necessary support to succeed.

Mahinda excelled in school, receiving two double promotions and completing his education in just a few years.

As Dr. Adikaram's most trusted pupil, Mahinda entered the University of Colombo, where he earned a BA (Special) degree in Oriental Languages. He later returned to his alma mater, Ananda Shasthralaya, as a teacher. Within a few years, he rose to the position of Vice Principal and eventually became Principal.