He obtained an LLD degree from King's College, Aberdeen in 1781.

In 1963, he obtained a D.Phil from St Antony's College, Oxford.

Silva obtained his primary education from St. Anthony's College, Kandy.

Then he obtained a PhD from King's College of Cambridge University in 1990.

He obtained various other related degrees from St. John's College, Cambridge.

He obtained a Master's in English literature from St. Stephen's College, Delhi.

He obtained his law degrees from Christ's College, Cambridge, and specialized in international and maritime law.

He obtained a doctorate in philosophy from King's College, Cambridge under the supervision of Bernard Williams.

She later obtained a first-class degree, with honors, from St Hilda's College, Oxford in 1958.

He obtained his law degree from the university's College of Law in 1987.