Mrs. N. K. Pilapitiya was born in the hamlet of Ukuwela, Matale to parents of a highly respected Kandyan family. She is the eldest in a family of five with two younger brothers and two younger sisiters. She received her early education at St. Agnes’ Convent, Matale. After passing her S. S. C. Examination she joined Musaeus College during the tenure of Mrs. Clara Motwani as Principal. She entered the University of Peradeniya from Musaeus College in 1952 and passed out with an Honours Degree in Geography in 1956. After an eventful and successful career in Teaching in a number of schools in the island she was appointed Principal of St. Anthony’s Girls’ College, Kandy in 1973. In 1981 she was appointed Principal of Mahamaya College, Kandy. After 10 years of dedicated service she was promoted to the post of Additional Provincial Director of Education and later Provincial Director of Education, Central Province. Thereafter she assumed duties as Principal of Musaeus College in January 1995. She worked with much zeal and commitment for 14 years after which she retired from service in December 2008. She took to compiling this book during her years of retirement.

After a distinguished career, Mr. N.E. Weerasooriya was called to the Bar in 1919. In recognition of his leading practice in the Court of Appeal and in the Trial Courts, he was made a King’s Counsel in 1938.
SVL has published all seven of major works in English including the Four Volume History - ‘Ceylon and Her People’