Organization:List of universities in Sri Lanka

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This is a list of higher education institutions in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan law on publicly financed universities, the University Grants Commission controls 17 Sri Lankan universities and other educational institutions, as higher education institutions.

History

The origins of the modern university system in Sri Lanka dates back to 1921 when a University college, the Ceylon University College was established at the former premises of Royal College Colombo, and was affiliated with the University of London. The college provided courses of study in art and humanities, science and medicine prepared undergraduates for examination at the University of London. The beginnings of modern higher education in Ceylon commenced in 1870 with the establishment of the Ceylon Medical School, followed by Colombo Law College (1875), School of Agriculture (1884) and the Government Technical College (1893).[citation needed] In 1942 the first university was established in the country was the University of Ceylon which had several campuses island wide, Colombo (established 1942), Peradeniya (established 1949), Vidyodaya (established 1959), Vidyalankara (established 1959) and Katubedda (established 1972). Vidyodaya and Vidayalankara were established under the Vidyodaya and Vidayalankara University Act No 45 of 1958. The University of Ceylon was modelled on the Oxbridge formula, at its inception the university only accommodated 904 students, which later expanded to cover a number of universities and it remained as an elite-oriented university as stated by Sir Ivor Jennings, catering to a small number of students and exclusively residential. It was dissolved in 1972 to establish the University of Sri Lanka. In 1974 the Jaffna campus was added to the University of Sri Lanka.[1][2][3]

The change of the government in July 1977 led to dismantling of the single university apparatus with the plan of establishing independent universities. With the promulgation of the Universities Act. No 16 of 1978, state university status was restored to the six separate campuses. The University Grants Commission (UGC) was also created to plan and coordinate the state university education. After that, a number of state universities were created. All these state universities are registered under the University Grants Commission, but a few come under the auspices of ministries other than the Ministry of Higher Education, in which the UGC is a part of. Most of the state universities depend on funds given by the University Grants Commission, as it is their primary and sometimes only source of funding. Therefore, the UGC has a direct control over these universities and administer the undergraduate intake. The UGC is subordinate to the Ministry of Higher Education.

Legislation for universities

Universities in the Sri Lanka have generally been instituted by Special Presidential Decree, University Orders, Acts of Parliament and the Higher Education Act 1978.[4]

Ordinance

  • 20 of 1942 Ceylon University (Repealed in 1966)

Acts of Parliament

  • Ceylon University (Amendment) Act No. 36 1956 (Repealed in 1966)
  • Vidyodaya University and the Vidyalankara University Act, No. 45 of 1958 (Repealed in 1966)
  • Higher Education Act No. 20 of 1966
  • University of Ceylon Act No. 01 of 1972
  • Universities Act No.16 of 1978 (this Act established the University Grant Commission and a University Service Appeals Board provided for the administration of universities with their campuses and outset the six campuses of the single University of Sri Lanka, the set up under the previous Act No.1 of 1972, were converted to six independent universities on 1 January 1979)[5]

Universities

There are currently seventeen universities in Sri Lanka, which are established under the authority of the University Grants Commission.[6] All the following universities are recognised bodies with university status (University charter) under Universities Act No.16 of 1978.[7]

University Main campus Founded[lower-alpha 1] Type Authority University Status
(University charter)
City District Province
Colombo University of Colombo Colombo Colombo Western 1870 Public UGC 1 July 1942
Eastern Eastern University Vantharumoolai Batticaloa Eastern 1981 Public UGC 26 September 1986
Jaffna University of Jaffna Jaffna Jaffna Northern 1974 Public UGC 1 January 1979
Kelaniya University of Kelaniya Kelaniya Gampaha Western 1875 Public UGC 1959
Moratuwa University of Moratuwa Moratuwa Colombo Western 1966 Public UGC 1 January 1979
Open Open University Nawala Colombo Western 1978 Public UGC 1 January 1979
Peradeniya University of Peradeniya Peradeniya Kandy Central 1942 Public UGC 1 July 1942
Rajarata Rajarata University Mihintale Anuradhapura North Central 1995 Public UGC 31 January 1996
Ruhuna University of Ruhuna Matara Matara Southern 1978 Public UGC 1 February 1984
Sabaragamuwa Sabaragamuwa University Belihuloya Ratnapura Sabaragamuwa 1991 Public UGC 7 November 1995
South Eastern South Eastern University Oluvil Ampara Eastern 1995 Public UGC 27 March 1996
Sri Jayewardenepura University of
Sri Jayewardenepura 		Sri
Jayewardenepura		 Colombo Western 1873 Public UGC 1958
Uva Wellassa Uva Wellassa University Badulla Badulla Uva 2005 Public UGC 1 July 2005
Visual and Performing Arts University of the Visual
and Performing Arts 		Colombo Colombo Western 1893 Public UGC 1 July 2005
Wayamba Wayamba University Kuliyapitiya Kurunegala North Western 1999 Public UGC 17 August 1999
Gampaha Wickramarachchi University Gampaha Wickramarachchi University Yakkala Gampaha Western 1928 Public UGC 30 October 2020[8]
Vavuniya University of Vavuniya Vavuniya Vavuniya Northern 1991 Public UGC 1 August 2021

Dissolved universities

University of Ceylon

The University of Ceylon was the only university in Sri Lanka (earlier Ceylon) from 1942 until 1972. It had several constituent campuses at various locations around Sri Lanka. The University of Ceylon Act No. 1 of 1972, replaced it with the University of Sri Lanka which existed from 1973 to 1978.

University of Sri Lanka

The University of Sri Lanka was a public university in Sri Lanka. Established in 1972 by amalgamating the four existing universities, it was the only university in Sri Lanka from 1972 until 1978. The university was based at six campuses in Colombo, Peradeniya, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kelaniya, Moratuwa and Jaffna. The university was dissolved in 1978 and its six campuses became independent universities.

Other government universities

Other Government Universities which are established by Acts of Parliament of Sri Lanka. These universities are not recognised bodies with university status or university charter under Universities Act No.16 of 1978.[9]

University Main campus Founded[lower-alpha 2] Type Authority
City District Province
Buddhasravaka Bhiksu Buddhasravaka Bhiksu University Anuradhapura Anuradhapura North Central 1996 Public Ministry of Higher Education
Buddhist and Pali Buddhist and Pali University Homagama Colombo Western 1982 Public Ministry of Higher Education
General Sir John Kotelawala General Sir John Kotelawala
Defence University 		Ratmalana Colombo Western 2007 Public Ministry of Defence
Vocational Technology University of
Vocational Technology 		Ratmalana Colombo Western 2009 Public Ministry of Higher Education
Ocean University of Sri Lanka {{{2}}} Mattakkuliya Colombo Western 2014 Public Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training

Degree awarding institutes

Under the Section 25 A of the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978, following institutes have been recognised to award degrees.[10][11]

Institute Main campus Founded Recognised[lower-alpha 3] Type
City District Province
Aquinas College of Higher Studies Colombo Colombo Western 1953 2005 Private
Colombo International Nautical
and Engineering College		 Malabe Colombo Western 1990 2013 Private
Horizon Campus Malabe Colombo Western 2008 2014 Private
Saegis Campus Nugegoda Colombo Western 2010 2018 Private
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka Colombo Colombo Western 1959 2013 Professional accountancy body
Institute of Surveying and Mapping Diyatalawa Badulla Uva 1967 1990 Public
Institute of Technological Studies Colombo Colombo Western 1984 2017 Private
KAATSU Battaramulla Colombo Western 2015 2015 Private
National Institute of
Business Management		 Colombo Colombo Western 1968 2009 Private
National Institute of
Social Development		 Rajagiriya Colombo Western 2005 Private
National School of Business Management Colombo Colombo Western 2013 Private
SANASA Campus Hettimulla Kegalle Sabaragamuwa 2014 Private
South Asian Institute of
Technology and Medicine		 Malabe Colombo Western 2008 2011 Private
Sri Lanka Institute of
Development Administration		 Colombo Colombo Western 1966 2003 Public
Sri Lanka Institute of
Information Technology		 Malabe Colombo Western 1999 2000 Private
Sri Lanka Institute of
Nanotechnology		 Homagama Colombo Western 2008 2004 Private
Sri Lanka International
Buddhist Academy		 Pallekele Kandy Central 2009 2013 Private
Esoft Metro Campus Colombo Colombo Western 2009 2019 Private
International College of Business and Technology Colombo Colombo Western 2000 2020 Private
Sri Lanka Technological Campus Padukka Colombo Western 2015 2016 Private
Business Management School Colombo Colombo Western 2021 2021 Private
Royal Institute Colombo[12] Colombo Colombo Western 2021 2021 Private
International Institute of Health Science[13] Welisara Colombo Western 2021 2021 Private
Benedict XVI Catholic Institute of Higher Education[14] Negombo Colombo Western 2021 2021 Private
Institute of Chemistry Ceylon[15] Colombo Colombo Western 2020 2020 Private

Rankings of universities

Webometrics rankings

2023 Webometrics Ranking of World Universities for Sri Lankan universities are listed below.[2]

University 2023 (January edition)[3] 2018 (July edition)[16] 2016 (July edition)[17] 2015 (July edition)[18]
Country
university
rank
 Change in rank from previous year World
rank
 Change from previous year
 Country
university
rank
 Change in rank from previous year World
rank
 Change from previous year
 Country
university
rank
 Change in rank from previous year World
rank
 Change from previous year
 Country
university
rank
 Change in rank from previous year World
rank
 Change from previous year
Colombo 1 Increase 1 1485 Increase 679 2 Decrease 1 2164 Decrease 218 1 Steady 1946 Increase 93 1 Steady 2039 Increase 107
Peradeniya 2 Decrease 1 1885 Increase 133 1 Increase 1 2018 Increase 140 2 Steady 2158 Increase 72 2 Steady 2230 Increase 249
Sri Jayewardenepura 3 Increase 3 1944 Increase 1127 6 Steady 3071 Decrease 26 5 Decrease 1 2476 Increase 615 4 Increase 2 3091 Increase 2878
Moratuwa 4 Steady 2219 Increase 502 4 Decrease 1 2721 Decrease 306 3 Steady 2415 Decrease 8 3 Steady 2407 Increase 90
Ruhuna 5 Decrease 2 2336 Increase 329 3 Increase 2 2665 Decrease 31 5 Increase 1 2634 Increase 1891 6 Steady 4525 Decrease 1042
Kelaniya 6 Decrease 1 2971 Decrease 219 5 Decrease 1 2752 Decrease 193 4 Steady 2559 Increase 570 4 Increase 1 3129 Increase 65
Rajarata 7 Steady 3020 Increase 1354 7 Increase 6 4374 Decrease 370 13 Decrease 3 6137 Increase 3570 10 Steady 9707 Decrease 712
Jaffna 8 Steady 3633 Increase 751 8 Decrease 1 4384 Decrease 380 7 Increase 2 4004 Increase 2557 9 Decrease 1 6561 Increase 664
Wayamba 9 Increase 5 4379 Increase 1030 14 Decrease 4 5409 Decrease 2731 10 Decrease 3 5409 Decrease 358 7 Increase 6 5051 Increase 6742
Sabaragamuwa 10 Increase 1 4590 Increase 560 11 Steady 5150 Increase -865 = 11 Increase 1 6015 Increase 4987 12 Decrease 1 11002 Decrease 203
Eastern 11 Decrease 1 4621 Increase 90 10 Increase 2 4711 Increase 1304 = 11 Increase 2 6015 Increase 5250 13 Decrease 1 11265 Decrease 111
Open 12 Decrease 3 5140 Decrease 487 9 Steady 4653 Decrease 174 9 Decrease 1 4479 Increase 1091 8 Decrease 1 5570 Increase 419
SLIIT 13 Steady 6657 Decrease 1173 13 Steady 5484 Steady
KDU 14 Decrease 2 7267 Decrease 1858 12 Steady 5409 Steady
Uva Wellassa 15 Increase 1 7311 Increase 3140 16 Decrease 3 10451 Increase 10451 15 Steady 11664 Increase 4050 15 Decrease 1 15714 Decrease 989
South Eastern 16 Decrease 1 7709 Increase 1011 15 Decrease 3 8720 Increase 752 14 Decrease 3 7968 Increase 2061 11 Decrease 2 10029 Decrease 1705
Visual & Performing Arts 17 Steady 15491 Decrease 669 17 Decrease 9 14822 Decrease 10701 8 Increase 6 4121 Increase 9944 14 Increase 1 14065 Increase 1626
Last Updated according to Webometrics Ranking of World Universities January 2023 Sri Lankan Edition [1]

See also

  • Higher education in Sri Lanka
  • List of research universities in Sri Lanka
  • List of colleges and universities
  • List of colleges and universities by country

Notes

  1. ↑ Foundation date of earliest higher education establishment linked to current university.
  2. ↑ Foundation date of earliest higher education establishment linked to current university.
  3. ↑ Date recognised as degree awarding body.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 de Silva, K. M. (1977). The University System of Sri Lanka. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 A People's University - A Romantic Story of Peradeniya. ICES. 1995. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Annual report 1972. Planning and Research Unit, University of Ceylon. 1977. 
  4. ↑ Yong, Zhao; Ramanathan, Hema (2010). Handbook of Asian Education: A Cultural Perspective. New York: Routledge. p. 584. ISBN 978-1136721298. 
  5. ↑ Wickaramasinghe, N. (2005). University Space and Values Three Essays. International Center for Ethnic Studies Colombo Sri Lanka. 
  6. ↑ "Universities". University Grants Commission. http://www.ugc.ac.lk/en/universities-and-institutes/universities.html. 
  7. ↑ "UNIVERSITIES, CAMPUSES AND UNIVERSITY COLLEGES". University Grants Commission. http://www.ugc.ac.lk/en/policy/universities-act/universities-act-no-16-of-1978/43.html. 
  8. ↑ "Gazette declaring Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute a university, issued". newsfirst. 30 October 2020. https://www.newsfirst.lk/2020/10/30/gazette-declaring-gampaha-wickramarachchi-ayurveda-institute-a-university-issued/. 
  9. ↑ "Other Government Universities". University Grants Commission. http://www.ugc.ac.lk/en/universities-and-institutes/other-government-universities.html. 
  10. ↑ "Accreditation Degree Programs". Ministry of Higher Education and Highways (Sri Lanka). http://www.mohe.gov.lk/index.php/en/universities-and-institutes/otherrecognizedinstitutesdegrees. 
  11. ↑ "Other Recognized Degrees". University Grants Commission. http://www.ugc.ac.lk/en/universities-and-institutes/other-recognized-degrees.html. 
  12. ↑ https://www.ugc.ac.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101&Itemid=37&lang=en
  13. ↑ https://www.ugc.ac.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101&Itemid=37&lang=en
  14. ↑ https://www.ugc.ac.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101&Itemid=37&lang=en
  15. ↑ https://www.ugc.ac.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101&Itemid=37&lang=en
  16. ↑ "Sri Lanka". Open Publishing. 1 July 2018. http://www.webometrics.info/en/Asia/Sri%20Lanka%20. 
  17. ↑ "Sri Lanka". Open Publishing. 1 July 2016. http://www.webometrics.info/en/Asia/Sri%20Lanka%20. 
  18. ↑ webometrics.info website. World Ranking of Top Sri Lankan Universities – 2015 July Retrieved 29 October 2016



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