The crest’s design was first introduced in 1912 A.D., as depicted in the inaugural college magazine published by Rev. Gaster. It draws inspiration from the English crests of Clifton College, a boarding school influenced by Rugby School, and Trinity College at the University of Cambridge.

• The Lion: The Lankan lion atop the shield, wielding a sword in its right paw, draws influence from the Sinhalese flag’s borders.
• The Cross: Replacing the chevrons seen on the Clifton and Trinity Cambridge crests, the cross reflects the college’s Christian roots.
• The Three Crowns: Borrowed from the coronets of Oxford University, these symbolize the Holy Trinity and embody a sense of royalty and nobility, aligning with Trinity College Cambridge’s heritage.
• The Motto: Respice Finem – a most inspiring motto as the Centenary Volume notes, expounds the precept that it’s more than merely fighting on to the end, showing guts and grit; but requires every student, and staff member to have the highest ideals and standards to do everything they could to live up to them to the end (The Trinity Story 1872 – 2022, Arjuna Ranawana & M.V. Muhsin)