Gamani Corea was educated at the Royal College, Colombo, after which he started his higher education at the University of Ceylon in 1944, before going to study at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and Nuffield College, Oxford from 1945 to 1952.
He has also received a Doctor (Honoris Causa) from the University of Nice; a DLitt (Hon) from the University of Colombo; and a DSc (Honoris Causa) from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.