Education

As a rapidly growing upper-middle income nation, Sri Lanka is reliant on strong Human Capital to remain competitive within a global knowledge-based economy. Thus, Higher Education performs a key role in securing Sri Lanka’s economic success. The need for skilled, enterprising graduates, as well as a capacity for research & innovation, is met through the Higher Education System.

The state university sector comprises of 15 universities, 7 post-graduate institutes, and 14 other degree granting institutions. However, the capacity of this system is limited, and it is only capable of accommodating approximately 20% of the students who qualify for university admission every year.

The establishment of private sector Higher Education institutions is designed to meet the educational needs of students who are unable to attend state universities. This includes Higher Education brands such as Horizon Campus, the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), CINEC Institute of Higher Education, and the Academy of Multimedia Design & Technology (AMDT).

Investment & International Opportunities

Educational opportunities in Sri Lanka for international students range from Accounting and Management to Engineering & ICT. While the country currently offers Higher Education mainly for regional countries, the Ministry of Higher Education has outlined a vision to establish Sri Lanka as an international hub of excellence for higher education.

The formulation of the necessary legislation to regulate private sector Higher Education institutes has already been initiated by the government, and the establishment of private sector universities is expected to attract approximately 50,000 international students. At the same time, around 12,000 local students who leave the country for Higher Education are expected to be absorbed, thus protecting foreign exchange reserves and savings. International education institutions such as the University of Central Lancashire, UK, and the Raffles Education Corporation, Singapore, have already committed to invest in Sri Lanka.

Given that most major educational institutions are located in Colombo, international students have the opportunity to enjoy the city’s historic architecture & waterways, public parks, museums, restaurants, and shopping complexes. Information on how to obtain Sri Lankan student visa can be found on the website of Department of Immigration & Emigration, Sri Lanka.

Contact Details

Sri Lanka Export Development Board

General Contact Information

Address Telephone Email Fax
42, Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 01 +94-11-2300705/11 edb@edb.gov.lk +94-11-2300715

 

Contact Person & Designation Telephone Email
Mrs. Indira Malwatte – Chairperson & Chief Executive +94-11-2300712 chairman@edb.gov.lk
Mrs. Jeevani Siriwardena – Director General +94-11-2300675 dg@edb.gov.lk
jeevani@edb.gov.lk
Ms. Dhanushka Ruwanpathirana – Export Promotion Officer (Education, Logistics, ICT/BPM) +94-11-2300705/11 (281) dhanushka@edb.gov.lk

Ministry of Higher Education

General Contact Information

Address Telephone Email Fax
18, Ward Place, Colombo 07 +94-11-2694486
+94-11-2697133
+94-11-2697721
+94-11-2691378
info@mohe.gov.lk +94-11-2697239

University Grants Commission

General Contact Information

Address Telephone Email Fax
20, Ward Place, Colombo 07 +94-11-2695301
+94-11-2692357
+94-11-2695302
+94-11-2675854

 

Office of the Chairman

Prof.Mohan De Silva- Chairman +94112696511 chairman@ugc.ac.lk +94114714565
Ms.S.S.K.Gamage –Asst.Secretary +94112672860 sanduni@ugc.ac.lk

Sri Lanka Association of Non-State Higher Education Institutes (SLANSHEI)

General Contact Information

Address Telephone Email Fax
Sri Lanka Association of Non-State Higher Education Institutes, PO Box 02, Malabe, Sri Lanka +94-11-4365548 secretary@slanshei.lk +94-11-2413607

Department of Immigration & Emigration

General Contact Information

Address Telephone Email Fax
Department of Immigration & Emigration, Suhurupaya, Sri Subhuthipura Road, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka Hotline: 1962
+94-11-5329000
controller@immigration.gov.lk +94-11-2885358

Last modified on 19/02/2020