How did Henry Steel Olcott support Buddhist education in Ceylon?

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Annie Besant and Jiddu Krishnamurti stand side by side in formal attire, Besant holding papers, in a black and white photograph from 1933. — theosophy Annie Besant and Jiddu Krishnamurti, 1926.

Henry Steel Olcott, a cofounder of the Theosophical Society, played a pivotal role in the revival of Buddhism in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). During his visits to the region, he actively advocated for the educational advancement of the Buddhist population.1

Through his dedicated efforts to promote and organize educational initiatives, Olcott successfully spurred the establishment of three colleges and 250 schools. His influence was significant, as he was widely accepted by the local Buddhist community, and his work helped foster a stronger institutional foundation for Buddhist education in the country. Additionally, his publication of the Buddhist Catechism (1881) further contributed to the dissemination of Buddhist thought and education.1