St. John's College was established on the 5th May 1915 as a mixed school. Then it was known as English mixed school. In 1934 boys and girls separated and the boys' school was named College of St. John's.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that there should not exist any division among children who enjoy the dividends of free education and added that ethnicity or religion should not be a barrier for a child to enter any school of his or her choice. He said that he was strongly against schools being divided as Sinhala, Muslim or Tamil. He pointed out that authorities should be mindful of the fact that schools exist not just as a mechanism for learning and training, but as powerful sites of social cohesion and integration.

President Sirisena also said that school curriculum should undergo reforms to suit modern day requirements.

The President also presented prizes and awards to the winners of the art competition that was held parallel to the centenary celebrations of the College.

Ministers Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa, Arjuna Ranatunga, Harsha de Silva, Chief Minister Western Province Prasanna Ranatunga, Susil Premajayantha, Western Province Provincial Councillor Upali Kodikara, Principal of the College, teachers and parents were present.