This institution was founded by His Holiness Kohombadamane Gnanarathana in the year 2005 under the name of Sri Gnanissara Phirivena. In a very short time, Gnanissara was promoted to the name of Maha Pirivena and in the year 2015, this Pirivena educational institution is called Sri Gnanissara Pirivena Vidyayatana and is a cradle of Buddhist education which is doing great work for local children and all Sri Lankans. It is located in Handungamuwa, Wilgamuwa Education Zone, Matale District, Central Province, and Sri Gnanissara Vidyayatana can be called as the only private university in Matale District. Currently, there are 25 teaching staff and nearly 300 students are studying here.