Dharmadutha College is one of the premier Sinhala Buddhist schools in Sri Lanka. The school was established in 1891 by the Parama Vingnganartha Buddhist society which was created by Colonel Hendry Steel Olcott.

During the British rule of Sri Lanka, English schools were established by catholic missionaries. The aim was to implement an English educated generation suit for them and to carry out the office system conveniently. In these English schools were taught not only English language but also induced the Buddhist students to their religion. The Buddhist people were unhappy about this action.

At the end of the 18th century with the awakening of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, the educated Buddhists paid the attention to give English knowledge to the Buddhist children in the Buddhist environment. Therefore Buddhist schools were established all over the country as well as in Badulla.

In 1880, the American Colonel Henry Steel Olcott has embraced Buddhism and joined with the Buddhist elite and established Parama Vigngnanartha Buddhist society and created Colombo Ananda College – Colombo 1886.11.01, Dharmaraja College – Kandy 1887.06.31, Maliyadeawa College – Kurunegala 1888.09.30, Dharmadutha College – Badulla 1891.08.21, Mahinda College – Gall 1892.03.01 through the society.