HJVI Ekanayake is perhaps better known to generations of Wesleyites as the composer of the rousing College Song, "Boys of Wesley through the land". HJVI was enrolled at Wesley College during its location at Dam Street in 1882, when Rev. Arthur Shipham was the Principal. On leaving School he became a teacher at Wesley for a short time, and put to full use his training in both Western and Eastern Classical Languages.

HJVI excelled at school both in the academic work and in sports and later came under the influence of Rev. Thomas Moscrop, who further developed his innate academic skills. He participated extensively in the school activities, and had a prominent position being an eloquent speaker. He was Secretary of the College Literary Association, and the first Editor of the Wesley College magazine which was published in 1898. He was a keen student of the Classical Languages of Greek and Latin, but did not neglect the Oriental Classical languages of Sanskrit and Pali in which he achieved a high degree of proficiency. In an Editorial he wrote "We do not apologize for our existence, we will try to justify it." In a Prize winning Debate, in which his oratorical skills shone, he pleaded for "Oriental Languages in a Collegiate Course" at a time when English Language held supreme pride of place.

HJVI passed the Cambridge Senior with Distinctions, and was the winner of the Hill Medal in both 1888 and in 1889. He was also a keen sportsman and played for the 1st XI Cricket Team. He also inaugurated the Wesley College Cadet Corps.

He followed a career in Law, and won a scholarship awarded by the Board of Legal Education. After qualifying he was called to the Bar in 1900. He was later appointed as a magistrate and was held in high regard as he administered his judicial responsibilities with skill, justice and fair play. This was amply displayed at the time of the "Ambalangoda riots". In 1906 he was promoted as a District Judge, and entered the ranks of the prestigious Civil Service, where his judgments earned him the sobriquet of "Daniel of the Bench".

He married Geraldine Louise May the daughter of Maha Mudaliyar James Amerasekera of Nattandiya. They had their only child, a son, Edward Stubbs Dewinton, so named after Sir Edward Stubbs, Governor at the time, who was the godfather. A plaque now marks the position of a tree planted at “Ekanayake Walauwwa” gardens in Kotte by Sir Edward Stubbs during a visit to the home of HJVI.
His literary talents and skills are best displayed by the composition which later became the College song, his extempore" Boys of Wesley through the Land" sung after a farewell dinner to a Junior Master-An Old Boy-held at College Hall at Dam Street. The College Song follows the music of the Scottish war cry “Scotts Wa Hae”. HJVI and Sir Don Baron Jayatilleke were the Founder Members of the Sinhalese Sports Club.

He was honoured by the School when soon after his death a Portrait was unveiled in the College Hall by the Principal Rev. D. lzzett at the Annual OBU Celebration in March 1941. A Prize named after him is also presented at the Annual Prize Giving. The Latin quote – “Non tetigil, quod non ornavil” well describes his life's work - for he touched nothing which he did not adorn!