He was educated in University London (Bachelor with honors, University London and Master of Arts, University London, 1959), he completed his Doctor of Philosophy in University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in 1966.He received recipient United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization award for Sinhala Literature, 1962, Kala Kirti, Higher Education the President of Sri Lanka, 1993.

He was an assistant teacher Mahinda College, Galle, Sri Lanka, 1949-1953, St. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka, 1954-1957. He served as assistant editor Sinhala Encyclopedia, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 1957-1959. From lecturer to associate professor in Sinhala Vidyodaya University, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka, 1960-1981.

Professor in Sinhala Ruhuna University, Matara, Sri Lanka, 1981-1993. Visiting professor Postgraduate Institute Archaeology University Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, since 1993. Visiting professor Buddhist and Pali University, Colombo, 1996-1997.

He was a visiting professor Sri Jayawardenepura University, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka, since 1996, Sabaragamuwa University, Belihul Oya, Sri Lanka, 1997-1998. President Panel for Sinhala Literature, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, 1970-1977. Assistant director United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization-Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle Project, 1981-1985.