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.

Although Trinity College was founded in 1872, its antecedents go back to 1818 when the first missionaries from Britain penetrated the Kandyan Kingdom. Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Browning set up a Mission House in this location, despite the anti-British rebellion that had just shaken the country then known as Ceylon. It was in this Mission House in 1823 that Rev Ireland Jones started an Elementary School of humble proportions which after it closed twice was re established in 1872 by Rev Richard Collins. ​

Trinity’s mission is to provide the best all-round education for the boys in a caring, disciplined and inspiring environment. This includes academic studies, sports, the Arts and extra-curricular activities. ​

The TCK family foundation is an institution conceived in Melbourne by old boys of Trinity College, Kandy in 1975. It has been established with the approval of the board of governors of the school and the blessing of the principal. The foundation aims to arouse an interest in the school without interfering with her internal affairs and to support TCK to preserve, improve and develop her standards, services and facilities in any way it can.