It is difficult to discern when Royal College first had boarding. There is a view that boarding existed in the late 1860s during the regime of Rev. Barcroft Boake. But it is certain that boarding did exist in the early 1870s when Mr Cull was Principal of the Colombo Academy. This initial boarding house comes with a very colourful history of its own. It is said to have been situated on the top floor of the Main College building at San Sebastian and consisted of dormitories and cubicles. The Principal himself, who lived on the premises, oversaw the institution and often sat to dinner with the boarders. It was also in the 1870s that Mr Ashley Walker, the father of Cricket at the College, joined the school as Assistant Master and Boarding Master.

Present Hostel

To the present boarders at the Royal College hostel, it is their home away from home. The vibrant community in the hostel includes over 300 students from all over the country and several hostel prefects. Due to the limited accommodation and facilities, the hostel could take in only about 40 students annually who gain admission to Grade Six as scholars. But due to the increasing demand for hostel facilities, the Principal recognized the need to accommodate more students. In 2004 and 2005 more than 100 students were provided with hostel facilities. The Royal College Old Hostellers’ Association, which felt the necessity of accommodating more students, has already taken steps to build a new complex. As a result of their efforts, the first phase of the new hostel complex, which accommodates 240 students, was built. The hostel management works day and night to provide the students with homely comforts. These tasks are met under the supervision of the Principal, Senior Deputy Principal, Warden and Sub-Warden who along with the Board of Prefects join hands and perform their respective duties. The Management always makes arrangements to provide the hostellers with a nutritious, balanced diet. The hostellers are charged a reasonable fee per term and are provided with great facilities. The tutorial staff serves with a sense of dedication and commitment by imparting knowledge as well as promoting the attitudes and skills of the hostellers.

Day in the Life of a Hosteller

The day begins with a wake-up call at 5.00 a.m. followed by a dorm inspection at 5.50 a.m. The hostellers are then served breakfast at 6.15 a.m. Subsequently, they must leave for school by at least 7.00 a.m. After a tiring day of learning at the College, the students enjoy lunch at the Hostel at 1.40 p.m. Recreational time then ensues until 4.30 p.m. where they may engage in an activity of their choosing. Afterwards, tea is provided and followed by a time for study until 8.00 p.m. Dinner is laid out by 8.15 p.m, with both study and dinner requiring the hostellers to be in formal attire. Bedtime is determined by Grade, with Grade 6-9 having to go to sleep by 9.30 p.m. and Grade 10 and 11 by 10.30 p.m. 

Activities for Hostellers

There exist a variety of activities a hosteller can engage in during their freetime. Students are divided into four Hostel Houses, namely Anghie, Belleth, Corea and Bradby. Though the House allocations for the students change annually, each year the hostellers strive to bring success to their respective Houses at the Hostel Day. At this event, the students compete in a variety of different athletic events, similar to the Sports Meet.  

In addition to the Hostel Day, the students of the Hostel frequently engage in sports such as Volleyball, Elle, Carrom and Table Tennis. Furthermore, opportunities such as literary competitions in all three languages, art competitions, musical events and drama events are abundant at the College Hostel. There are even groups the students can join to pursue passions such as media, reading and music, in order to have a holistic experience.