The Centre for Performing Arts [CPArts] was founded in 1965 as a Theatre group in Jaffna under the name of Thirumarai Kalamanram with the aim of using the arts as a tool to promote social awarencess among youth by involving young people in positive activities. Youth were brought together from villages and towns so that they could be formed into a cohesive family of artistes where the ingrained barriers of creed, gender and caste could be overcome. Additionally, it was hoped that the young people would be inspired to use  their individual energy and talents for the broader goal of service to the community.

In late 1980’s changed conditions due to the war in the North/East and the devastation to many communities caused CPArts to expand its activities and open new branches in the North and East. In addition to its original name, it took on a new one, Centre for Performing Arts, reflecting as it did the expansion of programs into a wider set of fields and communities.

In 1992 CPArts opened a Coordinating Office in Colombo to expand the work in southern Sri Lanka, taking an additional name in the process: Ranga Kala Kendraya. Since then the Colombo office has become the Coordinating centre for branch programs all over Sri Lanka as well as in a dozen cities overseas.

Currently the Colombo Coordinating Office is the hub for the regional and national programs, information and public relations, fundraising and program development and overall coordination.

In 2002, reflecting the increased scope of work, CPArts improved its structures and registered with the Ministry of Social Services as an NGO.