In 1976, after many years of deliberation, a Sinhala publication titled Warana was started. At first the Ministry of Educational Publications was its principal patron, purchasing 3000 copies to be distributed to schools throughout the country in March and September. This standing order was stopped in 1989 when this Ministry ceased to exist; subsequently the Ministry of Education agreed to purchase 1000 copies for distribution. Decentralisation in 1992 saw the establishment of Provincial Councils with their own Education Ministries and so this order too was cancelled.