Sarachchandra started his career as a teacher at St. Peter's  College in Colombo. In 1933, he gained admission to the Ceylon University College and offered Pali, Sanskrit and Sinhala for the first degree and passed out in 1936 with a first class.He was a University Lecturer and Sri Lankan Ambassador to France in 1974 to 1977.
 
 Sarachchandra entered the drama around 1940 as a playwright. He had the opportunity to study in Eastern countries such as India and Japan. After returning, he produced his first stylist play Maname in 1956. He continued  dramas as a playwright, developing his next stylist play Sinhabahu in 1961, which is widely considered as his best work. He also contributed to written novels such as Malagiya Eththo,Walmath Wee Hasarak Nudutimi, Malwunge Awrudhuda as well as short stories such as Kalayage Awemen,Maya Roopaya.

  During his lifetime he was the recipient of many awards.The University of Jaffna  and the University of Peradeniya conferred Sarachchandra the degree of Doctor of Literature in 1982.Also in that year he was made an Emeritus Professor at the University of Peradeniya. On 3 June 2014, Sarachchandra's birth centenary falls which has been recognized by UNESCO. With that, he became the first and only Sri Lankan artist to be recognized by UNESCO.

  Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra, who made a great contribution to the art of Sinhala drama, passed away on August 16, 1996.