The Rambadagalle Center was established during 1972-1980 period under the former Inland Fisheries Division (IFD) of Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and was handed over to the private sector after government abolished the IFD in 1991. The center was reacquired in the year 2000 under NAQDA and since then it functioned as an Aquaculture Development Center, producing carp fry and fingerlings in limited quantities for the national food fish production. Until mid 2004, it played a supporting role to major centers at Dambulla and Uda Walawe, helping the fish seed production program of NAQDA, with limited resources and facilities available at the center.

Rambadagalla Center has long been identified as a suitable location for the proposed ornamental fish development program of NAQDA. However, the implementation was delayed due to lack of resources. In 2004, a decision was taken to develop the center as the apex facility within NAQDA to assist the ornamental fish and aquatic plants industry in the country. Accordingly, the center was renovated and refurbished with facilities necessary for the ornamental fish and aquatic plants industry. Among the facilities renovated at the center are a hatchery, a laboratory, ornamental fish tanks and officer’s quarters and dormitories.