University of Colombo

The University of Colombo, founded in 1921, is Sri Lanka’s oldest Higher Education Institution. In keeping with its motto बुद्धिः शर्वत्र भ्रजते (Buddhi Sarvathra Bhrajate), translated from Sanskrit as “Wisdom Enlightens”, the University of Colombo continually strives to maintain academic excellence in all fields of study. The University is organized across 9 Faculties and 59 academic departments, along with 7 Institutes, a Campus, a School, and 20+ Centres & Units.

Located primarily in the Colombo metropolitan region, the University of Colombo is structured as a state institution which provides access to higher education across the country. The main campus is sited in the heart of Colombo, on a sprawling 50-acre estate, and comprises contemporary urban constructions as well as old colonial architecture considered national heritage sites.

The pioneer Medical Faculty in Sri Lanka, the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo celebrated its 150^th Anniversary in 2020, while the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Education of the University of Colombo are the only such stand aloneFaculties that are dedicated to these fields of studyin the state run, free education system of Sri Lanka. The University is a proud member of the Asian Universities Alliance of which the Executive Presidency for the period 2019-2020 is held by the University of Colombo.

In addition to a large and diverse academic portfolio, the University of Colombo also offers library services, career guidance, sports, student societies, and accommodation on campus. Other facilities include an arts theatre where students can showcase their skills in performing arts.

The University prides itself on being a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic institution that emphasizes values of social harmony, cultural diversity, equal opportunity and unity among its staff and students. Several scholarships are available for international students, and the University boasts a number of academic partnerships with overseas universities, including Uppsala University in Sweden, Justus Liebig University in Germany, University of Copenhagen in Denmark, University of Heidelberg in Germany, University of Zurich in Switzerland, Chartered Institute in Management Accounting (CIMA) in United Kingdom, Western Sydney University in Australia, Queensland University in Australia and University of Granada in Spain.

The University of Colombo actively engages in improving student life in numerous ways to supplement academic learning. Over the years, the University has built strong links with the industry in order to enhance the value of the education we provide. Similarly, the sports facilities provided by the university encourage the students to balance academics and social life, and many national and international achievements are recorded by our students every year in the sports arena.

History

By 1950 the University of Ceylon had a reputation as an important centre of excellence in the Commonwealth. The Higher Education Act of 1966 established a National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) and later in 1972 under the University of Sri Lanka Act No. 1 of 1972 all universities were brought under one umbrella and made Campuses of a single university established as the University of Sri Lanka. The University of Ceylon, Colombo was named the Colombo Campus of the University of Sri Lanka. This system prevailed until 1977. University autonomy was weakened and as a result, a new Act was introduced in 1978. Under the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978 all Campuses of the then single University became independent Universities. Accordingly, the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka regained its autonomy in 1978.

It had Faculties of Medicine, Arts, Science, Education, and Law. A Faculty of Graduate Studies was created by an Ordinance of the UGC in 1987, to further strengthen post-graduate education. Subsequently, the Faculty of Management and Finance was established. The Sri Palee Campus of the University was established by a Gazette notification in 1996. Institutes with financial autonomy were created by the earlier Act of 1972. When the single university was dissolved in 1978, the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, the Institute of Workers’ Education, and the Institute of Indigenous medicine were affiliated to the University of Colombo. The Institute of Computer Technology (ICT) was established in 1987. The University now has 9 Faculties with 56 Academic Departments, a Campus, a School, 6 Institutes, and 5 centres.

The University has recognized the importance of linking with alumni especially in industry and the private sector, through the concept of voluntary mentoring and internal placements facilitated by the Career Guidance Unit. Subsequently, the ICT was renamed as the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) in 2002 and the IWE was renamed as Institute of Human Resource Advancement (IHRA) in 2006.

The University of Colombo today is a National State University that offers education to some of the best students in the country who enter its portals with hopes and aspirations for a better future.

Rankings & Reputation

OUR UNIVERSITY RANKINGS

University of Colombo achieves an excellent reputation for research & innovation and teaching excellence since 1921. Our current rankings place us among one of the best universities in Sri Lanka.

FACULTIES

The Faculty of Arts is the largest in the University of Colombo in terms of student enrolment. The faculty has eleven academic Departments and several teaching Units offering courses in the field of Social Sciences. Apart from undergraduate BA courses, several Departments offer courses for Diploma, Masters and Ph.D degrees. Many students who successfully complete Special BA Degrees, eventually register for postgraduate degree programs offered by the Faculty.

The Faculty of Arts has responded in various ways to the challenges and problems of higher education and employment. The introduction of the Course Unit System in 1998 was a major step towards offering greater flexibility to students in terms of selection of courses, their duration, new methods of teaching, learning and evaluation. The establishment of a Student Computer Unit and Computer Teaching Unit within the Faculty has enabled students to become computer literate – an essential skill in the economic and academic climate of today — within a short period of time. Many students specializing in subjects such as Geography, Economics and Sociology also take computer applications as a regular course unit.

The Department of English Language Teaching (DELT), provides undergraduates with a working knowledge of English through its Proficiency Courses in English. There cannot be any dispute that a working knowledge of English offers the student a distinct advantage to society today.

Departments

Department of Buddhist studies

The Buddhist studies at Colombo has a long history. It was taught there earlier from 1965 to 1970 before, it was discontinued due to university reforms. University of Colombo has been teaching BS for the last twenty years since 1997.

Professor Y. Karunadasa was the first professor of the Unit on the contract basis for a two year period. It was the very strong conviction of the late Prof. M.B. Ariyapala (Emeritus Professor of Sinhala, University of Colombo) and others who initiated the BS program at its present phase that the University must be a centre of excellence for BS.

Undergraduate Courses

The Department of Buddhist Studies teaches both Pali and Buddhist studies as two subjects: while Pali is offered for the General Degree, Buddhist Studies is offered for both General and Special Degrees.

The special course has two streams: Buddhist philosophy and Buddhist culture. The students who offer special degree have to follow all core course units, two language course units (either Pali or Sanskrit) and the course units specially designed for each stream.

Undergraduate Courses offered by the Buddhist Studies Unit:

(I) Buddhist Studies Stream
(II) Pali Studies Stream
(III) Buddhist Studies Special Degree

1st Year

First Year Undergraduate Courses

1st Semester

Unit Code Course Unit Name

BST 1101 An Introduction to Buddhist Studies

PLG 1101 Prescribed Texts, Pali Literature

2nd Semester

Unit Code Course Unit Name

BST 1202 Basic Teachings of Early Buddhism

PLG 1202 Unspecified Texts , Grammar & Composition

Buddhist Study Stream

2nd Year – Buddhist Study Stream

1st Semester

Unit Code Course Unit Name

BST 2121 Literary Sources and Traditions in Buddhism I (Pali & Prakit)

BST 2122 History of Buddhist Thought I

BST 2123 An Introduction to Indian Philosophy

BST 2128 History of Spread of Buddhism I

ENH 2102 Modern Chinese Language I (Mandarin)

PLG 2116 Prescribed Texts

PLG 2118 History of Pali Literature-1

2nd Semester

Unit Code Course Unit Name

BST 2224 Buddhist Social Philosophy

BST 2226 Literary Sources and Traditions in Buddhism II (Sinhala)

ENH 2206 Modern Chinese Language II (Mandarin)

PLG 2217 Unspecified Texts , Grammar & Prose Composition

3rd Year – Buddhist Study Stream

1st Semester

Unit Code Course Unit Name

BST 3146 Theravada Vinaya Studies

BST 3147 History and Spread of Buddhism II

BST 3148 Buddhist Arts and Architecture I

BST 3149 An Introduction to Western Philosophy

BST 3150 History of Buddhist thought II

BST 3153 Buddhist Ethics

ELT 3147 Buddhism and Current Social Problems

PLG 3141 Prescribed Text, & Grammar

PLG 3142 History of Pali Literature-2

2nd Semester

Unit Code Course Unit Name

BST 3251 Buddhist Economic and Political thought

BST 3252 Theravada Abhidamma Studies

BST 3254 Buddhist Arts and Architecture II

BST 3257 A Study of the Madyamaka Concept of Emptiness

PLG 3243 Buddhist Thought (Theravada)

PLG 3244 Theravada Abhidhamma & Vinaya

Postgraduate Courses

PG Diploma

Postgraduate Diploma in Buddhist Studies :

One year program with taught courses.

Minimum Entry Qualifications:

(i) A bachelor’s degree in any subject from a recognized university/ institute of higher learning

(ii) Any other academic/professional qualification deemed to be equivalent to a degree

(iii) A PG diploma from a recognized university or an institute of higher learning

(iv) Candidates who possess qualifications/experience which are deemed by the Faculty to be equivalent to the qualifications specified in clauses (i) and (ii)

(v) Any other qualification acceptable to the Senate of the University.

Each application under clause (iii & iv) shall be considered on its merits.

Masters Degree

Masters in Buddhist Studies

SLQF 9

Duration : 1 year

Master of Arts Degree in Buddhist Studies

SLQF 10

Duration : 2 years

SLQF Level : (https://www.ugc.ac.lk/attachments/1156_SLQF_2016_en.pdf)

Introduction

Being an academic Centre, par excellence, with a long and prestigious record of reputation, University of Colombo can be considered a cynosure of Buddhist studies. The Department of Buddhist Studies is offering: Postgraduate Diploma, Master of Arts, Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy in Buddhist Studies, with the aim of developing, broadening and enriching its outlook and context to suit the modern needs. This expansion of the scope of teaching made it necessary to make use of the services not only of the permanent academic staff, but also of the services of visiting lecturers as well as of retired academics, who are experts in Pali and Buddhist studies.

Medium

English / Sinhala

Admission criteria :

Graduates with at least Second Class upper division in Buddhist Studies, Pali or related subject from a recognized University or an equivalent qualification;

Any other Bachelor’s degree in a related area from a recognized University.
Any other academic qualifications equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree determined by the Department of Buddhist Studies and approved by the Faculty Board and the Senate.
Graduates with postgraduate qualifications in Buddhist Studies under SLQF 9

Course Fee (Local Students)

Application Fee : Rs. 500.00

Course Fee	SLR. 25,000.00
Registration Fee	SLR. 1,500.00
Library Fee	SLR. 2,500.00
Examination Fee	SLR. 1,500.00
Total	SLR. 35,500.00

Two years(Total 1^st year fee + 25000)	SLR. 25,000.00

Payment period : One installment per year

Course Fee (Foreign Students)

Application Fee : USD 2.51

SAARC and Developing Countries	USD. 502.63
Developed Countries	USD. 1005.26
Registration Fee	USD. 7.54
Library Fee	USD. 12.57
Examination Fee	USD. 7.54
Total (SAARC and Developing Countries)	USD. 530.28
Total (Developed Countries)	USD. 1032.91
Two years
SAARC and Developing Countries (Total 1^st year fee + 502.63)	USD. 1,032.91
Developed Countries(Total 1^st year fee + 1005.26)	USD. 2038.17

Payment period : One installment per year

Teaching faculty :

Ven. Dr. U. Ananda

Ven. Senior Prof. M. Dhammajothi

Prof. Wimal Hewamanage

Dr. Vijitha Kumara

Ven. Dr. U. Sugathasiri

Master of Philosophy in Buddhist Studies

SLQF Level : SLQF 11 (https://www.ugc.ac.lk/attachments/1156_SLQF_2016_en.pdf)

Introduction :

Being an academic Centre, par excellence, with a long and prestigious record of reputation, University of Colombo can be considered a cynosure of Buddhist studies. The Department of Buddhist Studies is offering: Postgraduate Diploma, Master of Arts, Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy in Buddhist Studies, with the aim of developing, broadening and enriching its outlook and context to suit the modern needs. This expansion of the scope of teaching made it necessary to make use of the services not only of the permanent academic staff, but also of the services of visiting lecturers as well as of retired academics, who are experts in Pali and Buddhist studies.

Medium

English / Sinhala

Duration

2 years

Application period

Any time

Admission criteria:

A First or Second Class (upper) division honors in the Special Degree in Buddhist Studies or in a relevant subject from this university or any other recognized university;

or

First Class honors in the General Arts Degree Examination having offered Buddhist Studies or any other relevant subject acceptable to the University of Colombo from a recognized university;

or

Successful completion of two Year Master’s Degree in Buddhist Studies or a relevant subject with a substantial research component from a recognized university;

or

Successful completion of one year master’s degree of Buddhist Studies or any other relevant subject with either five years of post-qualifying experience and publications in the referred journals that is acceptable to the Higher Degree Committee.

and

A good working knowledge in English.

Program Fee (Local Students)

Application Fee : SLR 500

Program fee per year

SLR. 16,500.00

Payment period : One installment per year

Program Fee (Foreign Students)

Application Fee : USD 2.51

Program fee per year
SAARC and Developing Countries	USD. 301.58
Developed Countries	USD. 603.15

Payment period : One installment per year

Teaching faculty :

Ven. Dr. U. Ananda

Ven. Senior Prof. M. Dhammajothi

Prof. Wimal Hewamanage

Dr. Vijitha Kumara

Ven. Dr. U. Sugathasiri

Doctor of Philosophy in Buddhist Studies

SLQF Level : SLQF 12 (https://www.ugc.ac.lk/attachments/1156_SLQF_2016_en.pdf)

Introduction :

Medium

English / Sinhala

Duration

2 years

Application period

Any time

Admission criteria:

A Master of Philosophy degree in Buddhist Studies from this University or an any other recognized University where the study program is not less than two years full- time in duration;

or

A Bachelor’s Degree in the relevant field of study with a Master’s Degree of not less than two years duration, with at least one year research component which can be accepted by the Higher Degree Committee and a good working knowledge in English;

or

Registered first as a candidate for the Degree of Master of Philosophy in Buddhist Studies in the Faculty of Arts and to pursue from approved program of research for a period of at least twelve months so that the findings of such research should be presented to the satisfaction of the expert panel appointed by the Faculty of Arts.

Program Fee

For Sri Lankan students (per year)	SLR 13,000.00
For international students (per year)
SAARC and Developing Countries	USD. 261.37
Developed Countries	USD. 522.73

Payment period : One installment per year

Teaching faculty :

Ven. Dr. U. Ananda

Ven. Senior Prof. M. Dhammajothi

Prof. Wimal Hewamanage

Dr. Vijitha Kumara

Ven. Dr. U. Sugathasiri

Department of Demography

The origin of the Department of Demography goes back to the year 1973 with the establishment of the Demographic Training and Research Unit (DTRU), which was then inducted with the assistance of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Thereafter, the DTRU contributed significantly to advance the training and research in demography and hence, subsequently, the Department of Demography was established in 1997 as there was a growing demand and recognition to offer Honors Degree in Demography. The Department of Demography in the University of Colombo is a multi-disciplinary department which carries out demographic research and training at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Since its founding, the Department of Demography has been seen a leader in the field of demography as demonstrated by its high levels of scholarly productivity and rigorous teaching programs.

The Department of Demography of the University of Colombo can be regarded as a center of excellence for teaching and research on population and related disciplines and their implications for development. The Department of Demography is an important institution in Sri Lanka for the training of population scientists and generation of high-quality research in population and related disciplines in order to provide explanations for resolving development challenges in Sri Lanka and beyond.

With the academic faculty strength of 17, we have a diverse expertise in areas such as fertility, mortality, migration, urbanization, population ageing, health, climate change, regional planning and related sub-disciplines. The Department offers a lively environment for studying and researching in the areas related to population and sustainable development.

The Department of Demography has been enhancing the human resources needed for the development of innovative approaches in addressing the nexus of features and interrelations between population, health, natural resources, migration and urbanization among others, in ensuring the general well-being of Sri Lankan people. Our faculty’s research, teaching and extension work relate to the Sustainable Development Goals which defines Sri Lanka’s developmental ambitions. Our faculty has a stimulating history of research collaborations with well-reputed institutions across the world, drawing substantial research funds. Over the years, the Department of Demography has been contributing immensely to the production of knowledge, refinement of policies and generation of solutions to the development issues in Sri Lanka,

You are welcome to explore our engagement through website and do not hesitate to contact us for any further information that you may require. Demography will open up an entire new world of opportunities for you. It will train you to think systematically, critically, analytically, and in a disciplined and informed manner.

Professor K.D. Manori K. Weeratunga

Department of DemographyUniversity of Colombo

Undergraduate Courses

The Department of Demography offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The undergraduate courses comprise of three years Study Steam and four years Special Degree in Demography. The Special Degree is for a limited number of students who do extremely well in first year Demography courses and foundation course in Mathematics. Students who follow Special Degree in Demography are given opportunity to obtain internship experience which would help them to get an exposure in working with organization such as Department of Census and Statistics, Department of Registrar general, Social Security Board, Department of Immigration and Emigration, People’s Bank, Department of Labour, etc. More than 1000 undergraduate students follow Demography courses in each year.

Study Stream

STUDY STREAM – APPLIED DEMOGRAPHY – DEPARTMENT OF DEMOGRAPHY

Target group: General Degree students choosing Demography as the first subject

Pre-requisite: DMG 1101

Academic Year 2015/2016 on wards

The Department of Demography has introduced ‘Applied Demography’ programme under the Study Stream for the academic year 2015/2016. In a context where national and world development priorities are guided by the framework of the 2015 Post Development Agenda, ‘Applied Demography’ gains considerable priority as population dynamics play a major role in all development issues. The study stream ‘Applied Demography’ is designed based on this context to provide students with a sound knowledge in both theory and applications. Courses covered in the ‘Applied Demography’ study stream given in the following table.

Undergraduate Courses, 2^nd and 3^rd Year –Study Stream in Applied Demography

Postgraduate Courses

Postgraduate Diploma in Population Studies

The Department of Demography is conducting a one-year Postgraduate Programme in Population Studies leading to a Diploma. Population Studies being an interdisciplinary subject, this programme is primarily directed towards academics, professionals and officers who work in the field of population and related disciplines. The course is geared to provide the students with the theoretical knowledge, methodological applications, as well as practical research experience in Population studies. , This Diploma Programme provides avenue for advanced study in Demography at Master’s level.

The programme comprises of course work and a dissertation. The students will be required to follow a course work programme consisting of eight course units spread over two academic terms offered at four course units per term. Students are assessed based on both the examinations that will be held at the end of the each term and take home assignments and/or a mid-term test. A candidate reaching the pass mark (50 marks) in at least 5 course units shall be allowed to proceed with work on the dissertation and pursue the Diploma Programme.

MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION: The medium of instruction of the programme is English. Candidates are required to submit all assignments and dissertations, and answer all examination papers in English.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

♦ A degree from a recognized University

♦ A good working knowledge in English

♦ A basic knowledge of Mathematics or Statistics will be an added advantage

COURSE CODE	NAME OF THE COURSE UNIT
DMD501	Basic Demographic Techniques
DMD502	Mortality and Morbidity
DMD503	Migration and Urbanization
DMD504	Introductory Statistics
DMD505	Nuptiality, Fertility and Family Planning
DMD506	Population and Development
DMD507	Population Projections and Theoretical Population Models
DMD508	Statistical and Research Methods

M.A. in Demography

The Department of Demography of the University of Colombo is conducting a two-year M.A. Programme in Demography. This provides an opportunity for further study in the field of population for persons who possess a sound academic background in Population Studies/ Demography and work experience in the field of population or a related discipline. The M.A. Degree Programme is by course work and research combined, which takes two years for completion on a full time basis. The M.A. programme will have components of course work and research. The course work will consist of two lecture course units namely, Advanced Demographic Analysis and Social Research Methods, and a Reading Course on Population Studies. After completing course work, student shall work on the research proposal approved by the Department of Demography for the M.A. Thesis.

MASTER OF ARTS IN DEMOGRAPHY (MADEM) – 2019

MPHIL/PHD IN DEMOGRAPHY – 2019

YEAR/SEMESTER	UNIT CODE	NAME OF THE COURSE UNIT
SEMESTER I	MADEM 6101	Demographic Techniques
MADEM 6102	Social Research Method
MADEM 6103	Population and Sustainable Development
MADEM 6104	Statistics

SEMESTER II	MADEM 6205	Mortality and Morbidity
	MADEM 6206	Nuptiality and Fertility
	MADEM 6207	Migration and Urbanization
	MADEM 6208	Extended Essay

M.Phil/ PhD Programme in Demography

The Department of Demography of the University of Colombo conducts a two-year MPhil Programme in Demography. The programme is directed towards students who have demonstrated an outstanding performance in Population Studies at the postgraduate level with proven ability in undertaking research. The MPhil degree programme is by research and takes two years for completion on a full-time basis. MPhil candidates who have demonstrated outstanding performance in their proposal defense will be upgraded to PhD in Demography.

Department of Economics

About Us

The Department of Economics is one of the oldest and most possibly the most popular departments in the Faculty of Arts with 700 undergraduates – including students who take Economics as one of three subjects in a General Arts degree, and those who take Special Arts degree in Economics.
When considering the history of Economics department it is vital to know about the history of the University of Colombo. The University of Colombo has a proud history of over a century and a quarter starting with the establishment of the Medical School – the predecessor to the present Faculty of Medicine of the University. It was on the present premises of the University of Colombo that the first fully-fledged University, the University of Ceylon was set up in 1942. After a series of changes the present institutional structure of the University of Colombo was established in 1978. Recently the University of Colombo was ranked among the top universities in Asia and the Pacific by the highly respected Asiaweek magazine.
Having initially focused on undergraduate training in a variety of disciplines, the University of Colombo has, since the early 1980’s, increasingly turned its attention to the development of teaching and training programs at postgraduate level. The Department of Economics in the Faculty of Arts took a leadership role in this activity by commencing in 1984 the Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Development. The Department now offers two more well recognized Postgraduate programs: the MA in Economics (1991) and the MPhil /PhD in Economics (1996).
At a time when large numbers of graduates in Economics were looking for postgraduate training opportunities, but were getting disappointed that opportunities and resources for this purpose at home and abroad were limited, the value of the services rendered by the postgraduate study program of the Department of Economics of the University of Colombo has been enormous.
Postgraduate training programs in Economics offered in the University of Colombo continue to attract large numbers of applicants with a variety of backgrounds. The University provides a stimulating environment for rigorous graduate study. The postgraduate students in turn provide luster to this excellent center of learning which serves the country’s need of producing higher-level manpower in the discipline of Economics, in increasingly important discipline in the Management of the affairs of the Sri Lankan society.

Undergraduate courses

Department of Economics – University of Colombo

Undergraduate Degrees

Undergraduate courses consist of three-year general degree (BA) Programs and four-year special degree (BA Hons.) Programs. Students who wish to follow four-year Econ special degree must select,

To read for a four year degree in Economics it is compulsory to obtain at least one (A-) and (B) grade for ECN 1101 and ECN 1201, and at least (A-) Grade for FND1106/1206, and a minimum aggregate of 210 marks.

Study Stream Degree Programme

Undergraduate courses consist of three-year Study Stream Degree (BA) Programs and four-year Special Degree (BA Hons.) Programs.

The duration of a general degree course is three years including the first year of study. The Department of Economics offers following two streams for the study stream courses:

Banking and Finance Study Stream in Economics
Business and Managerial Economics Study Stream in Economics

Postgraduate Courses

Postgraduate Diploma in Tourism Management Economics and Hotel Management (Pg.DTEHM)

SLQF Level : SLQF 1 (https://www.ugc.ac.lk/attachments/1156_SLQF_2016_en.pdf)

Introduction

In spite of widespread political and economic constraints imposed on global tourism development during last few decades, world tourism industry has emerged as one of the fastest growing single industries in the world. Its performance has been highly acclaimed to the comparable performances of many other export industries during the same period. At present, global tourism industry represents around 11% of the world’s GDP, around 8% of global employment and around 9% of global wages. It is also the largest single employment generator of the world economy today. International visitors’ spending represents around 8% of world exports too. Moreover, tourism has been identified as one of the top five export categories in 83% of the total countries of the world.

With increasing recognition of the contributions of the tourism industry to economic development, Sri Lanka has made significant efforts to improve this industry during the last few decades. Today tourism has become one of the largest foreign exchange earners in Sri Lanka. It is estimated that the direct impact of tourism industry in Sri Lanka on GDP is more than 2 percent, but this could be much higher when considering both indirect and induced impacts.

Projected foreign tourist arrivals by 2016 will be 2.5 million tourists. Though the industry currently provides around 150,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, this amount should go up to more than 500,000 by 2016. Nearly 20 percent of these forecasted employment opportunities are also management level employment.

It is worthwhile mentioning that many universities and educational institutions are currently conducting various postgraduate study courses/programmes in the fields of travel, tourism, and hotel and hospitality management. Most of these universities/organizations are located in advanced countries or affiliated with these countries. On the other hand, in relation to the growing demand for these types of educational training programmes and also demonstrably inadequate educational facilities in Sri Lanka, a large number of Sri Lankan candidates are now seeking educational opportunities in foreign universities and consequently, a large sum of money is currently flowing out from the country.

Several national universities in Sri Lanka currently conduct few degree programmes in tourism studies (e.g. University of Rajarata, University of Sabaragamuwa, and University of Kalaniya). Some of these national universities have also introduced tourism or tourism related study modules as a part of their postgraduate or master level programmes, but not yet introduced a postgraduate diploma or master level programmes specializing in tourism studies.

Major Objective

This programme is aimed at improving knowledge and skills needed for the decision makers, policy designers, planners, researchers, hotel managers and marketers of the tourism industry.

Medium

English

Duration of the program

One year

Application period

1^st August – 31^st August 2021

About

The programme consists of nine subjects and Extended Essay and it is conducted through an application-oriented and industry-interactive learning approach.

The initial registration is for the Postgraduate Diploma with 1 year of studies. On the successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma, the students are enrolled for the Master’s degree in the 2nd year of studies.

Course Fee ( Local Students )

Application Fee : Rs. 3000.00

Program Fee : Rs. 1,75,000.00

Payment period: From Two Installments – First installment must be paid to register with the programme and the second installment must be paid one month before the First-semester Examination of the Programme

Course Fee ( Foreign Students)

Application Fee: US$ 15

Program Fee : US$ 1350

Payment period: From Two Installments – First installment must be paid to register with the programme and the second installment must be paid one month before the First-semester Examination of the Programme

Contact details:

Contact Person: Prof D. A. C. Silva

Title: Coordinator

Telephone: +94773518500; +94773131208; +94112596889

Email: drsuranga@econ.cmb.ac.lk; info@uoctourism.com; drsuranga3@gmail.com

Application process/guidelines/link to the webpage : http://www.uoctourism.com/

Masters in Economics (MEcon)

Masters in Economics (MEcon) represents the revised format of the MA in Economics course offered by the Department of Economics until 2004. This is in response to the growing demand for postgraduate studies in Economics which involve both course-work and a substantial research component, particularly for those employed in academic and professional research institutions.

MEcon is a two year programme offered in two parts. In part I, the first academic year, the student will follow four taught courses. In part II, the second academic year, students who pass Part I, will undertake a research project and write a dissertation of not less than 30,000 words, under the guidance of a supervisor who is appointed by the Department of Economics.

Coordinator: Professor K. Amirthalingam

Email: mecon@econ.cmb.ac.lk

MPhil/PhD

The doctoral degree programme is aimed at meeting the academic and professional needs of those who are engaged in research and consultancy, higher levels of teaching and training, administration and management, and advocacy and policy making.

The initial registration is for the MPhil with the provision for upgrading to PhD studies on the basis of performance during the first year of studies.

Coordinator: Dr. Chandana Aluthge

Email: phd@econ.cmb.ac.lk

Department of English

About

The Department of English has established links with international universities and funding bodies to enhance the quality of its Honours programme. The Department has a robust collaboration with the Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany since 2009 which includes research collaborations as well as a student exchange programme. In terms of international research collaborations, the Department is engaged in the International Corpus of English – Sri Lanka (ICE-SL), a joint linguistics research project with JLU, Germany. ICE-SL is presently the only corpus of Sri Lankan English worldwide, and its data has been used in national and international conference papers and journal articles. It has also provided students of the Department of English with specialized training in research skills, such as data collection, coding and transcribing Sri Lankan English speech. Under the student exchange programme, the Department has sent 3-4 Special Degree students each year to for a semester to Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany, while students from JLU, Giessen have come to the Department for a semester. This international collaboration gives students of the Department the opportunity to spend a semester overseas in Germany with full credit transfer so that they do not lose time in obtaining their degree, and the opportunity of experiencing student life in Europe. This exchange agreement is open to academic staff of the English Departments at both Universities as well. A broader agreement of cooperation between JLU, Germany and the University of Colombo was signed in 2017 based on the success of the programme with this Department.

In 2017, the Department of English signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the School of Humanities and Social Sciences of Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) to promote international student exchange (undergraduate and postgraduate) and closer cooperation in research and teaching. Furthermore, in September 2018, the Department won a collaborative research project grant from the University of Zurich for a research project between academic staff from the Department of English, University of Colombo, and the Department of Religious Studies, University of Zurich. The project is titled “Intimacy in the Digital Media” and the collaboration between the two Departments will strengthen the academic and research-oriented relationships between the University of Colombo and the University of Zurich.

General Academic Information

Requirements for studying English as a Subject at the Department – 2018

You may take English as a subject for your Degree with us if:

You have at least a Pass in English at the A/Levels

You have obtained a Pass at the External GAQ Examination with English as a subject.

Those who have not done English Literature at the A/Levels

You may take English as a subject if :

You have been exempt from following English Proficiency courses at the New Admissions Test, and have passed a test set by the Department of English

Special Intake for English

If you are a special intake student for English:

You have to take English as a subject at the University
You cannot specialize in any other subject at the University

MA in English Studies

MA in English Studies

The MA in English Studies adopts a multidisciplinary approach that establishes a symbiotic link between language/linguistics and literature/cultural studies. It is unique in its scope because it fills a niche left by existing university MA degree programmes, most of which are heavily weighted towards either English language or literature. It caters to junior university faculty, teachers of English, professionals in the advertising, media and social marketing sectors, and past students of English pursuing postgraduate study in the subject.

Objectives & Expected Outcomes

The objectives of the course are to enhance existing knowledge of English Studies in the areas of Sociolinguistics, World Englishes, Postcolonial Theory and Literature, and Corpus Linguistics. It aims to broaden this knowledge by covering new fields such as Digital Cultures relevant to information technology, and Life Writing relevant to the study of archiving and biography.

The expected outcomes of this MA are that students develop the capacity for critical thinking and applied research skills through an engagement with the reading, classroom discussions, and assignments for the course. The course will also meet the current English language needs of the country through its focus on language policy and planning, English as a life skill, the teaching of literature, and the study of new media.

Admission Requirements

Selection for the MA in English Studies depends on the following criteria:

A Special Degree in English with a Class from a recognized university, OR a General Degree with a Class with English as one subject from a recognized university, OR a Postgraduate Diploma in a field related to English Studies, from a recognized university OR any other academic qualification and/or at least five years’ relevant experience deemed equivalent by the Senate on the recommendation of the Arts Faculty Board and the Department of English, University of Colombo.

Candidates will be required to sit a selection test and face an interview.

Structure

The MA in English Studies is a two-year full-time taught/research programme. It begins with a year of course work that consists of two semesters. The basic course work requirement is the completion of three course units (two core course units and one elective course unit) in each semester. Course work is examined by continuous assessments conducted during term time, as well as by a final examination at term end in each semester. Admission to the second (research) year will depend on examination results from the first year. The second year begins with instruction in research methodology but will otherwise consist entirely of supervised research conducted towards the completion of the dissertation.

Course Content

The following course units will be offered:

Research Methodology
Textual Analysis and Practice
World Englishes
Digital Cultures
Beyond the Post-colonial
Sri Lankan Writing in English
Sociolinguistics: Critical Approaches
Life Writing

Faculty

Snr.Prof. Neloufer de Mel, PhD (Canterbury)
Prof. Dushyanthi Mendis, PhD (Michigan)
Prof. Neluka Silva, PhD (Leeds)
Dr. Shermal Wijewardene, PhD (Monash)
Dr. Dinithi Karunanayake PhD (Manchester)
Dr. Shravika D. Amarasekara, PhD (Manchester)
Dr. Kaushlya Perera (Pennsylvania State University)
Ms. Ruhanie Perera, MA (London)

Extension Courses in English

The Department of English, University of Colombo has been running several Extension Courses in English since 1983. The Diploma programs offered by the Extension Courses in English are designed for teachers, employed persons, and those seeking employment. These courses are conducted during weekends.

Diploma in Advanced English for Administration and Academic Purposes (DAE)

Diploma in English for Teachers of English (DETE)

Diploma in English for English Medium Instruction Teachers (DEEMIT)

The courses are two years of study comprising 320 hours of teaching. (Students who successfully pass the First Year Examinations will be able to Register and attend the Second-Year class sessions.)

Introduction to ICE – SL

International Corpus of English – Sri Lanka

The International Corpus of English (ICE) Project was initiated by Sidney Greenbaum in the late 1980s. The Sri Lankan component of ICE (ICE-Sri Lanka) was initiated in the 1990s under the auspices of Christopher Tribble and in early 2005, he suggested that the Department of English of the University of Giessen and the University of Colombo take over the compilation of the corpus. In 2006, ICE-SL was reloaded as a joint project of the two universities (Mukherjee, et al, 2010) with Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee and Prof. Dushyanthi Mendis as the co-principal investigators. ICE-SL is the only corpus of Sri Lankan English in the world and is to be used for research into the distinctive features of English as it is used in Sri Lanka.

A number of research teams from Giessen, Germany have visited Sri Lanka in order to collect data for corpus compilation. In 2015, a seven-member team and in 2017, a six-member team from the Institut fur Anglistik, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany visited Sri Lanka on linguistic fieldwork excursions for this purpose. While based at the Department of English, University of Colombo, the excursion teams collected recordings of Sri Lankan English spoken at various events (face to face conversations between friends and family, classroom lessons and demonstrations, talks, news, sports commentary, discussions broadcast on radio and television, etc.). The team comprised of Dilini Algama, a former student of the Department of English, University of Colombo, who is the Coordinator of the ICE-SL project, and students of the University of Giessen. Under this project, 24 students of the Department of English, University of Colombo have worked on the corpus and been trained in data collection and transcription.

The Department of English, University of Colombo, in collaboration with Justus Liebig University, Germany, is pleased to announce that the the International Corpus of English-Sri Lanka (ICE-SL) was launched in November 2019 at the Conference on Sri Lankan Languages and Literature titled Corpora, Archives and Performance hosted by the Department of English, University of Colombo.

This corpus, totaling 1 million words of written and spoken Sri Lankan English is now complete and available for research. The corpus data and the accompanying Manual can be obtained by writing to <ice-sl@anglistik.uni-giessen.de>.

Department of English Language Teaching

About Us

The Department of English Language Teaching offers English Language courses to students of all the Faculties in the University of Colombo. The courses range from General English to English for Specific Purposes according to the needs of the diverse Faculties. The Department offers student placement for new entrants followed by intensive and proficiency courses, and certificate courses in English. The proficiency courses are designed to fulfil Bands 4 to 7 of the UTEL (Academic) Benchmarks. The DELT also offers the study stream, Studies in English as a Second Language, which is a three-year degree programme. Additionally, the DELT extends its services to the wider community through a Certificate Course and an e-Diploma in Business English. The strength of the Department lies in its versatile academic staff (permanent and visiting) and its dedicated team of administrative staff.

Resources

STUDENT SUPPORT

The faculty, year, and level coordinators provide guidance to students to overcome any academic, administrative, or personal problems they may encounter in following the intensive course and on-going proficiency/certificate courses in English. Students also have the option of discussing any academic issues they may face with their lecturers.

ACADEMIC AND LANGUAGE SUPPORT CENTRE (Link to ALSC’s website)

The new Academic and Language Support Centre, established under the World Bank-supported AHEAD project (2019-21), fulfils the need in the Faculty in providing a structure to encourage students to read in English. The Centre promotes collaborative peer learning to strengthen student motivation to engage with English beyond the classroom.

LANGUAGE LAB

The Language Lab of the Department of English Language Teaching has thirty computers, providing students with the opportunity for autonomous learning. Carefully selected and prepared computer-based study material is available in the Lab to be used by the undergraduates at their convenience.

RESOURCE LIBRARY

The DELT Resource Library is located in the Visiting Lecturer’s Staff Room #108, First Floor, Faculty of Arts. You may Contact your Faculty Coordinator if you wish to refer books from the Resource Library.

COURSES FOR STUDENTS & ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF (UPCOMING)

The Department is currently designing a selection of online courses for students and administrative staff of the University of Colombo. The courses will be free and you will be awarded a certificate of participation upon successful completion of the course.

English for Beginners (Link to course)
Online Presentation Skills (Link to course)
Formal Writing Skills for Administration (Link to course)

Studies in English as a Second Language (SESL)

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN STUDIES IN ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (SESL)

Study Stream (3-Year Degree Programme)

Introduction to the Programme

This is a bachelor’s degree program (study stream), Studies in English as a Second Language (SESL). The degree program takes a practical approach to both the study and teaching of the English language. The curriculum reflects the current theory and its application in the field of English as a Second Language. The program’s objective is to offer an up-to-date theoretical and applied understanding of the acquisition of English as a second language and the teaching and learning of it. The curriculum offers courses for three years allowing students to follow the discipline as the first, second or third subject in the Study Streams.

Course Titles and Codes:

SESL 1101 – Introduction to the English Language

FND 1122 – Introduction to Academic Writing

SESL 1202 – Introduction to English as a Second Lanuguage

ESL 2112 – The Structure of English Grammar

ESL 2113 – English Word Formation Patterns

ESL 2114/ENH 2102 – English through Computer-based Environments

ESL 2215 – English for Specific Purposes

ESL 2216 – Language and the Human Brain

ESL 2217 – The Sound Patterns of the English Language

ESL 3141 – Introduction to the Principles of Second Language Teaching:

Educational Psychology and Methodology

ESL 3142 – Translation Methods for Professional Purposes

ESL 3143 – Learning the Four Language Skills

ESL 3244/ENG 3269 – Second Language Acquisition

ESL 3245 – Second Language Assessment

ESL 3246/ENH 3253 – Content-based Language Instruction

ESL 3247 – Learning Disabilities and the 2^nd Language Learner

Entry Requirements:

Students need to have scored more than 60% at the New Admissions Test (NAT/Placement Test) conducted by the DELT at the beginning of the first year.

Objective of the Programme:

The program’s objective is to offer an up-to-date theoretical and applied understanding of the acquisition of English as a second language and the teaching and learning of it.

Testing and Assessment:

All courses in the program comprise both continuous and final assessments in deciding students’ final grades. The percentages of the two types of assessments for the final grade may vary, but the minimum percentage of the final assessment is 50%.

Overall Programme Coordinator

K.G.J. Ravindran

ravindran@delt.cmb.ac.lk

Diploma in Business English

Introduction

The Diploma in Business English is a one year programme which is conducted on a blended mode with both online and face-to-face interactive learning opportunities. This offers the opportunity for the participants to earn a qualification that will add value to their professional life.

This programme enables the participants to experience online learning which will equip them not only with language skills but also with IT skills.

Symposium

The Department of English Language Teaching organizes a triennial symposium for scholars and students to present novel research related to teaching English as a Second Language in Sri Lanka. The DELT symposium on English Language Studies provides a forum through which reflection, innovation, and research carried out locally and internationally can be shared and discussed. Through stimulating forums and panel discussions, the symposium enables much needed innovations in teaching and learning English, thereby pushing existing boundaries of institutional knowledge and understanding.

Department of Geography

About

The Department of Geography is one of the first few Departments that was established in the University of Ceylon in Colombo in 1942. This department was shifted to University of Peradeniya in 1952 when the faculty of Arts moved there. Subsequently when a second faculty of Arts was begun in 1963 in Colombo, affiliated to the University of Ceylon in Peradeniya, several sub-departments were established and the sub-department of Geography was one, which became a fully-fledged Department in 1967. Initially only undergraduate programs were conducted in this Department.

With the introduction of the Thistlewaite’s reforms on curriculum development in the Arts Faculty undergraduate programme of the University of Colombo, the majoring concept was introduced and the Department of Geography conducted the courses accordingly, whereby the undergraduates completed a three year degree (with Geography was one of the subjects) and majored in Geography in the following year to obtain the B. Phil.

Thereafter when the job-oriented degree in development studies was introduced, this Department offered several Geography-based courses to the undergraduates. By the late 70’s the conventional Bachelor’s degree in Arts was re-introduced. Within this programme the special degree courses in geography too were offered. In the late 80’s several postgraduate programmes were offered by this Department. Under the Post-graduate programmes, this department offered both the conventional M.A. degree by examination and research, and a Post-graduate programme in Land settlement and development.

During the latter half of the 70’s a collaboration agreement was concluded between the University of Colombo and NUFFIC (Netherlands Universities Fund for International Co-operation) to conduct research and training programmes in this Department. The Certificate course and the Post-graduate diploma programme in rural area development were thus initiated and conducted (in the English Medium) by the Department. Under this link programme several members of the academic staff were sent to the Netherlands to obtain their post graduate qualifications and to update their knowledge. This programme was concluded in the late 80’s. In the early 90’s certificate courses in Ariel Photo Interpretation was conducted by this Department.

In 1992 this Department initiated a research and training programme funded by NORAD via the Ministry of Plan Implementation. Under this programme the Regional Development Studies Centre was established and affiliated to this Department. Through this center the Department was able to establish a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) laboratory for training and research. The Post graduate diploma in Sub-National Level Development & Planning (SNLDP) for the officers in the Planning Service was sponsored by this centre.

Undergraduate Courses

Overview

The Department of Geography offers a wide range of course units for the four year Special Degree in Geography and for the three year Study Stream – Geography and Environmental Management.

For first year undergraduates GYG 1102 / 1202 (Cartography) and GYG 1106 (Principles of Geography) are compulsory for those who wish to follow Special Degree in Geography or Study Stream in Geography and Environmental Management.

It is mandatory to select FND 1106 (Intermediate Mathematics) to if the student wishes to follow the Special Degree in Geography.

Selection of Students for the Special Degree in Geography

Basic Requirements :

GYG 1102 / 1202 – B & above
GYG 1106 – B & above
FND 1206 – B & above

Postgraduate Courses

Postgraduate Diploma

Postgraduate Diploma in Environment & Regional Development :

The Department of Geography is calling for applications from the qualified candidates for the Postgraduate Diploma in Environment and Regional, upto 30th April 2019.

This programme provides candidates with a comprehensive theoretical and practical background in the field of Environmental and Regional Development. Further this programme provides an opportunity to candidates to follow a Master’s Degree in Geography after the successful completion of the diploma.

The main objective of this course focuses to broad base the education on Regional and Environmental Development by extending it to those who are already in the related sectors effectively and who are desirous of extending services.

Duration: One Year (Weekends Only)

Course Fee: Rs. 55,000.00

Medium: English

Target groups: Officers in public and private sectors, relevant civil organizations, graduate and postgraduate students of Universities and Institutions who are engaged in work related to Environment and Regional Development can apply.

Masters Degree

MA by Examination and Research

MA by examination and research is a two year programme, designed for independent study and research by student.
Examination papers offered :
(i) Methodology of Geography – compulsory
(ii) Optional paper (depending on area of research proposed)
The second year is spent on writing the dissertation.

MPhil & PhD

The M.Phil. and Ph.D. programs are full-time or part-time research programs designed by the Department of Geography, for those who are engaged in academic research, teaching, consultancy, training and management positions and is committed to impart advanced training in research to achieve a high degree of academic and skilled competence in Geography.

Department of History

About

The Department of History in its present form is heir to one of the oldest departments in the University of Colombo created when the University of Ceylon established a second Arts Faculty in Colombo in the early 1960s. Formerly the home of such distinguished scholars as Professor Lakshman Perera, Professor Tikiri Abeyasinghe, Professor Lorna Dewaraja, Professor Kumari Jayawardena, Professor Shelton Kodikara, Professor B.E.S.J. Bastiampillai, Professor G.R.T. Leitan and Professor Indrani Munasinghe, it has been at the forefront of the discipline as we know it today. The Department was initially called Department of History, renamed Department of Modern History. It became Department of History and Political Science with the inclusion of political science as a separate degree program. The scope of the department was further widened with the introduction of international relations as a separate subject. At one point the department offered three special degrees, namely history, political science and international relations. In 2000, Political Science was removed from the department and a new department of Political science and public policy was established. The department was again renamed as the Department of History and International Relations. The department regain its original name in the August 2010 when it bifurcated and a new department was created as the Department of International Relations.

Today the Department of History is known for its contribution to new branches of history such as cultural history and gender history as well as to established fields such as political, economic, social history of Sri Lanka and other regions. The department has a diverse mix of professional historians and specialists.

Our students are able to pursue their interests in historical research in a very unique and enriching environment, utilizing the many resources available from the Sri Lanka National Archives to the various libraries, NGOs, international organizations and think tanks that pepper the capital city.

Undergraduate Courses

Introduction to History

Course Description:

This course is designed to give first year students a basic understanding of the nature of history as a branch of knowledge. It will examine the philosophical and epistemological issues that influenced the growth and expansion of the discipline of History. It will deal with such basic questions as ‘What is history?’ and also discuss various approaches to history. Especially, it exposes the students to the most updated knowledge on the subject of history so that they will be quite prepared to follow courses both on specific cases of histories in Sri Lanka and other parts of the world and more advanced courses on conceptual issues involving historical investigation.

Learning Objectives:
This course will introduce first year history students to basic concepts, debates and themes in writing and reading history in order to make students aware of the way in which the interpretation of the past has become an issue of contemporary political, social and cultural life.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this course, students should be able to

• Understand the problems and issues involving historical enquiry
• Read critically the texts which describe the past against the backdrop of the questions
raised and concepts and theories introduced during the course
• Evaluate history writings critically

Course Content:
1. History, past and society
• What is the difference between the past and ‘History’?
• Can the past be reconstructed?
• Why do we need knowledge about the past?
• Facts, sources and the reconstruction of the past
• Time and Space in history
• Society, ideology and history
2. Various approaches to the writing of history
• Pre-nineteenth century notions of history
• Nineteenth century notion of history
• Marxism and Historical Materialism
• New history and Annales School
• British and Indian historians of Post World War II era
• Subaltern Studies
• Linguistic Turn and Post modern approaches to history

3. Modern Sri Lankan Historiography
• Evolution of Modern Sri Lankan Historiography
• Colonial administration and investigating the past
• Discovery of Pali chronicles
• Ideological needs of the Indigenous elite
• Institutionalisation of the Modern Sri Lankan Historiography
• Beginning of Modern history writing
• History of Sri Lanka as a popular discourse

Assessment:
Midterm Test 20%
Midterm Assignment 20%
Final Exam 60%

Postgraduate Courses

Introduction

Rationale
Since January 2007 history is taught in government schools in Sri Lanka as a separate subject from year 6 to year 11 onwards. Furthermore English medium private schools that follow the national curriculum have proliferated throughout the island and have become the main provider of employment for our recently passed out History graduates. Most of them, however, are recruited immediately after graduating without any prior training or experience in teaching. As the principal national university producing quality graduates with a Special Degree in History or General degree graduates having studied History as a subject the University of Colombo, building on its existing strengths has a critical role to play in two ways, through the creation of the two following programs:

Postgraduate Diploma in History
Master of History

MA In History (Research)

A Postgraduate Diploma in Historical Studies
This taught course will help university graduates in particular become competitive in order to seize new opportunities that will arise for history specialist teachers, by providing them with an in-house training in new teaching methods, new trends in the discipline and a deeper understanding of subjects related to the school history curriculum.

An M.A in Historical Studies
This one year program will combine the writing of a thesis with taught courses. It will be open to graduates who have specialized in History or who have followed the postgraduate diploma.
These two courses will differ from existing courses offered by the National Colleges of Education (NCOEs) and by the NIE through the Distance Education Program and Post Graduate courses in Education in the following manners:
– They will be based on a critical approach to the discipline of history and taught by internationally recognized academics
– they will incorporate new thinking and new readings in the field of Sri Lankan and world history
– they will encourage debates and questions among the participants in the program

Department of International Relations

History & Background

History and Background of the Department

The Department of International Relations is the pioneer in the introduction of International Relations to the University system. The initial introduction of the subject – by Professor Shelton U. Kodikara, Professor Emeritus Amal Jayawardene, and Professor George Cooray – to undergraduate and postgraduate students be dated back to the 1970s. Initially introducing the subject whilst being part of the Department of History and Political Science; subsequent to the bifurcation of that department, the Special Degree in International Relations was introduced while part of Department of History and International Relations. Under the leadership Senior Professor Nayani Melegoda the Department of International Relations was established on the 29th July 2010.

The Department offers four-year International Relations Honors Degree, and three-year Study Stream in Conflict Resolution and Peace for undergraduates. The Department offers 42 courses per year; 13 of which are taught in English medium. The students get the opportunity to learn bilingual teaching from second year onward, also exposed to internationally renowned experts through Visiting Lecturers, the Guest Lecture Series and the Annual Seminars. The students are benefited from professional trainings offered at the end of third year education with the mandatory field exposure through the Internship Programme. The academic staff of the Department holds postgraduate education from local and foreign universities (USA, UK, Japan, Norway, Sweeden, New Zealand, India, and Sri Lanka) and all permanent academic staff is qualified with CTHE and SEDA higher education teaching qualifications.

Introduction

The Department of International Relations, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo secured a competitive grant from the World Bank—Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) Project commenced for three years of period from year 2020 to 2023. The Department received this competitive grant through an open competitive selection of proposals submitted to the World Bank which scrutinized through several rounds.

The overall expectation of the project is accelerating the higher education sector in Sri Lanka. The project is aiming to increase university enrolments, broadening and deepening modern teaching and learning approaches and promoting research and innovative culture in university education. A key role plays by the Ministry of Higher Education and University Grant Commission in policy support and project implementation and evaluation.

Main (05) Five Themes of the Department Initiative:

1- Enhance Employability

2- Improve Students’ research

3- Improve English Proficiency Language Skills

4- Disseminating Knowledge

5- Publications

The AHEAD Project Contact Details (Department Level)

Dr. Chaminda Padmakumara (view profile)

Project Coordinator

chaminda@inr.cmb.ac.lk

Dr. Maneesha Wanasinghe-Pasqual (view profile)

Activity Coordinator

pasqual@inr.cmb.ac.lk

Dr. Menik Wakkumbura (view profile)

Activity Coordinator

menik@inr.cmb.ac.lk

Ms. Sachini Madu Kumari (view profile)

Project Assistant

aheadinr@gmail.com

Mailing Address and Telephone

Department of International Relations

Faculty of Arts

University of Colombo

Reid Avenue

Colombo 07 (P.O. Box 00700)

Sri Lanka

Tel: +94 112 500 433

Department of Political Science and Public Policy

About Us

The Department of Political Science and Public Policy is a relatively new academic department in the University of Colombo. It was established in October 2001 by bifurcating the Department of History and Political Science. The Department’s vision is “Cultivating Critical Knowledge for Constructive Social and Political Change.” Currently, Ms. G. P. V. D. R. de Silva serves as the Head of the Department.

The Department conducts undergraduate programs in Sinhalese and Tamil medium. English medium students are encouraged to write their examinations, assignments etc. in the English medium. We collaborate with the Department of Sociology, Department of History, and Department of International Relations in offering some of our course modules.

Under-Graduate Studies

First Year	PSC 1101	Political Science: An Introduction
	PSC 1102	Aspects of Sri Lanka’s Government and Politics

Second Year	PSC 2116	Modern Constitutions and Governments
	PSC 2118	Main Currents in Political Thought
	PSC 2125	Politics of South Asian States
	PSC 2129	Principles and Problems of Human Rights
	PSC 2137	Themes in Political Science Inquiry
	PSC 2220	Approaches to Public Policy and Administration
	PSC 2226	Methodology in Social Science Research
	PSC 2227	Approaches to Comparative Politics
	PSC 2239	Constitutional Law – Theories and Applications
	PSC 2240	Civil War and Peace Processes in Comparative Perspectives

Third Year	PSC 3142	Public Policy & Administration
	PSC 3147 / SOC 3144	Political Sociology (Offered by Dept. of Sociology)
	PSC 3148	Main Current in Political & Social Theory – I
	PSC 3150	Methodologies and Approaches to Political Science Research
	PSC 3251	Main Currents in Political & Social Theory II
	PSC 3252	Public Policy & Administration in Comparative Perspective
	PSC 3261	Gender and Politics: Theories & Concepts
	PSC 3262	Current Issues of Local Governance
	PSC 3263	Political Institutions in Comparative Perspective

Fourth Year	PSC 4171	Public Policy and Administration in Sri Lanka
	PSC 4186	Dissertation Part I
	PSC 4187	Gender in Political and Policy Processes
	PSC 4189	Politics of Protest and Resistance
	PSC 4190	Democracy and Democratization
	PSC 4276	Social Movements in World Politics
	PSC 4278	Political Economy of Development
	PSC 4279	Advanced Studies in Constitutionalism
	PSC 4280	Dissertation Part II
	PSC 4291	Conflict and Peace Processes in Sri Lanka

Post-Graduate Studies

The department offers M.A, M.Phil and Ph.D programmes in Political Science by research. Candidates, with necessary qualifications, can apply through the Academic and Publications branch of the university.

Department will assign supervisors to selected candidates. Post-graduate scholars are expected to work closely with supervisors throughout the programme of study.

The department may also offer fee-levying study courses for post-gradate students to enhance their subject knowledge and skills in research.

We encourage prospective post-graduate candidates to consult the department before applying and selecting their areas of research as well as research topics.

Prospective candidates who do not have qualifications to directly register for a post-graduate degree can sit for the Master of Arts Qualifying (MAQ) examination in order to obtain the entry qualification. Candidates can select papers for the written M. A. Q. examination in consultation with the Head of the Department or Post-Graduate coordinator.

Extension Courses

The department offers a fee-levying Certificate Course in Politics and Governance Studies. This course of six-month duration aims at providing knowledge and skills to social and political practitioners at the community level in the field of politics and governance.

Members of local government bodies, aspiring political leaders as well as community activists are particularly encouraged to participate in this course. It is also open to media personnel, school teachers, government employees, and members of the public with an interest in issues of politics and governance.

Classes are held on Saturdays.

Department of Sinhala

The history of teaching Sinhala in higher education in Sri Lanka is closely linked with the University of Colombo. The formal university education in Pali, Sanskrit and Sinhala – the traditional classical languages of the country, began with the establishment of a University College, in 1921.

In the University College, the oriental languages were all confined in one department of study. It was only in 1944 that separate Department of Sinhala was established under the University of Ceylon in Colombo and Prof. M.D. Ratnasuriya became the first Professor of Sinhala in Sri Lanka.

The Department of Sinhala was shifted to Peradeniya in 1952, when the Faculty of Arts moved there. Subsequently, when a second Faculty of Arts began in 1963 in Colombo, it was established as a sub-department of Sinhala, University of Ceylon, Peradeniya. At the beginning, teaching program was limited to undergraduates, who were reading for the BA General Degree.

With the establishment of the University of Colombo as a separate university in 1967, the sub-department became a fully-fledged Department of Sinhala, under the guidance of Professor M.B. Ariyapala.

At present, Sinhala is one of the popular subjects among the undergraduates and the department offers wide range of course units for General and Special degree programmes in the field of Sinhala language, literature, arts and culture. The department also offers MA, MPhil, and PhD degrees in Sinhala by thesis only.

The Department of Sinhala has a well-qualified staff, with three Professors, five Senior Lecturers, one Lecturer and two Assistant Lecturers. The teaching staff has both local and foreign training and specialization in their respective fields of study and some of its members are well-known for their contribution to the subject. Academics of this department such as Prof. Ediriweera Sarathchandra, Prof. G.D.Wijayawardhana and Prof. J.B. Disanayaka were prominent figures in Sinhala literary and linguistic circles in the island.

As a leading and long standing department of Sinhala amongst the Sri Lankan university system, department expects to introduce various Extension and Postgraduate Courses in Sinhala language, literature and culture for both local and foreign students. At present the Department conducts a Programme on Sinhala language and Culture for two Chinese scholars and also planning to commence a Certificate Course in Sinhala for Foreigners.

Undergraduate Courses

Sinhala Study Stream

FIRST YEAR

Semester I

SLG 1101 – Introduction to Language ©
SLG 1102 – Introduction to Literature
FND 1104 – Issues in Arts and Culture

Semester II

SLG 1201 – Introduction to Language ©
SLG 1202 – Introduction to Literature
FND 1212 – Sinhala Literary Tradition and Communication

SECOND YEAR

Semester I

SLG 2117 – Modern Sinhala Fiction
SLG 2128 – Translated Literature in Sinhala
SLG 2119 – Creative Writing
SLG 2120 – Marxist Literary Criticism

Semester – II

SLG 2216 – Modern Sinhala Usage ©
SLG 2217 – Modern Sinhala Fiction
SLG 2219 – Translated Literature in Sinhala
ELT 2220 – Sri Lankan Culture and Buddhist Environment

THIRD YEAR

Semester I

SLG 3141 – Classical Sinhala Literature ©
SLG 3143 – Sinhala Drama
SLG 3144 – Introduction to Sinhala Culture
ELT 3147 – Buddhism and Contemporary Social Problems

Semester II

SLG 3242 – Language, Society and Power ©
SLG 3245 – Art and Architecture of Ancient Sri Lanka

Special Degree in Sinhala

Part I (Second Year)

Semester I

SLG 2126 – Modern Sinhala Poetry
SLG 2127 – Modern Sinhala Novel
SLG 2128 – Medieval Sinhala Prose – Phase I ©
SLG 2130 – Introduction to Linguistics
SLG 2134 – Introduction to Sociolinguistics

Semester II

SLG 2229 – Medieval Sinhala Prose – Phase II ©
SLG 2231 – Descriptive Analysis of Sinhala Usage ©
SLG 2235 – Sinhala Literature – Matara Period

Part II (Third Year)Semester I

SLG 3156 – Classical Sinhala Poetry – Phase I ©
SLG 3158 – Sinhala Drama
SLG 3159 – Language and Communication
SLG 3160 – Traditional Sinhala Grammatical Studies ©
SLG 3177 – Sinhala Folklore

Semester II

SLG 3257 – Classical Sinhala Poetry – Phase II ©
SLG 3261 – Modern Linguistic Theories
SLG 3266 – Sociology of Literature

Part III (Fourth Year)

Semester I

SLG 4172 – Sinhala Epigraphy and Inscriptions/Palaeography
SLG 4173 – Study of World Literature
SLG 4175 – Traditional Arts and Crafts of Sri Lanka
SLG 4184 – Sinhala Language Studies (Historical) –I ©
SLG 4186 – Sinhala Exegetical Literature
SLG 4187 – Principles of Aesthetics and Literary Criticism ©
SLG 4197 – Principles of Academic Writing ©

Semester II

SLG 4271 – Literature of the Anuradhapura Period©
SLG 4274 – Sinhala Society and Culture
SLG 4282 – Marxist Aesthetics
SLG 4285 – Sinhala Language Studies (Historical) –II ©
SLG 4298 – Dissertation ©

Master of Sinhala

(One Year – SLQF Level 9)

Department of Sinhala

Introduction

This taught Masters degree programme in Sinhala will provide opportunities for graduates with a particular interest in Sinhala to acquire a deeper insight into the study of the Sinhala language, literature and culture. The course is designed primarily for graduates who wish to gain a postgraduate qualification in Sinhala and is regarded as suitable preparation for admission to a research degree in Sinhala.

Course Structure

Master of Sinhala programme at Colombo is a modular programme which combines the intensive study of the core areas of the Sinhala language, literature, and culture. The programme involves both a taught component (made up of four assessed courses and one support course) and a research component (preparation of a 12,000 – word dissertation).

Duration

The course lasts for one-year (full-time) and consists of 80 teaching sessions (240 hours) with each being of 3 hours duration. Classes will be held on Saturdays from 9.00 – 4.00 pm (except for public holidays) at the Department of Sinhala, University of Colombo.

Calling Applications for the next batch: October 2022

For more information contact:

Professor Sandagomi Coperahewa

Co-ordinator – Master of Sinhala

Tel. 2500453 or email sandagomi@sinh.cmb.ac.lk

Sinhala for Chinese Students

The day before we eight students got onto the plane to Colombo was my 21st birthday. It was supposed to be a celebration of youth and delightfulness; however, I spent the whole day in depression, worrying about the following six months in another country-Sri Lanka. It is not about the country itself, but rather my own fear of unfamiliar environment and homesickness. Six months away from motherland and into a totally new and quite different world. And sadness due to parting my dear friends all rushed to me like haunting ghosts.

…for the full report…

Department of Sociology

The teaching of Sociology was initially introduced at the University of Colombo within the Department of Sociology and Social Welfare in the Faculty of Social Sciences in 1969. The department enrolled 12 students for the academic year commencing from October 1969 with two Assistant Lecturers and a Professor. Tamil medium instruction began in 1970. Students were given the opportunity to follow a three-year B.A. degree program majoring in Sociology, with an additional year leading to a B.Phil Degree.

With university reforms in 1972, the Department suffered a major setback. In the ensuing period, Sociology was taught as a subsidiary subject within the two-degree programs, Development Studies and the Bachelor of Education.

Educational reforms in 1977 introduced further changes in the University system, and the Department regained its original status. In 1978, a four-year special degree program in Sociology was offered initially to five students. This program continues to the present with some structural changes.

Today, on average, more than 1000 students follow courses in Sociology at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The three-year undergraduate programme is split into specializing streams of Urban and Community Studies, and Applied Sociological Studies. The four-year special degree programme is offered in Sociology and Social Work. At present, the department offers three postgraduate courses. These are the Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Sociology (duration: one year) that commenced in 1995 and the Masters in Sociology (duration: two years) that commenced in 1978. A one year Masters in Sociology was introduced in 2017 to cater to working students who wish to expand their knowledge in Sociology.

POSTGRADUATE COURSES

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Sociology

In 1996, the Department of Sociology of the University of Colombo took the initiative in addressing the great need that exists in Sri Lanka for Sociological expertise by introducing a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Sociology. Since then, the Department has successfully produced a number of diploma holders catering to this important national need. The course is specifically designed to offer theoretical as well as practical insights into Applied Sociology for those who are already in employment or for recent graduates who are in search of employment in related fields. It is designed to offer a general applied orientation within the discipline of Sociology for those who have a university background in any discipline, practical field experience in any professional sphere of activity or both.

The emphasis of the program is to understand how Sociology has worked and could work in specific developmental situations. This exploration will be undertaken on the basis of a conceptual understanding of Applied Sociology as well as through a comparative understanding of how Sociology could work in different locations looking into specific case studies as well as specialized subjects such as Environment, Health, Social Policy and Social Development, and Social Issues.

The programme will be conducted over a period of one academic year, approximately during 30 weeks divided into two semesters. Classes will be held in the evenings of weekdays and on weekends. The programme consists of six taught courses that comprise of 45 contact hours. In addition, all candidates are required to write an extended essay. It is expected that the course would facilitate the dissemination of Applied Sociology in a disciplinary sense as well as in the provision of knowledge to engage in a constructive critique of development.

For further information please contact:

Dr MTM Mahees

MA Coordinator
Department of Sociology
University of Colombo
Colombo 3
Sri Lanka

Telephone: +94 (0) 112500452
Email: macoordinator@soc.cmb.ac.lk

Master in Philosophy (MPhil)

The Department of Sociology offers the MPhil degree as a research degree subject to the general entry and prequalification criteria for such courses mandated by the University of Colombo. Successful candidates will be provided supervision services for their research and dissertation writing components by the Department as well as access to the Department Library and the Main Library of the University.

MPhil candidates will be offered essential instructions on stylistic matters as well as research methods including writing and analytical skills and will be required to make regular presentations on the progress of their research.

The entry requirements are:

i) Graduates who have obtained First or Second Class Honours in the Special Degree Examination of this University in the relevant/ related subject or have obtained an equivalent qualification from a recognized University;

ii) Graduates who have obtained First or Second Class Honours in the General Arts Examination having offered the relevant/ related subject; and

iii) Obtained the M.A. Degree in Sociology of this University or have an equivalent qualification from a recognized University.

This programme is conducted under the Higher Degrees By-Laws of the University of Colombo.

For further information please contact:

Dr Dilrukshi Abeysinghe

Mphil/PhD Coordinator
Department of Sociology
University of Colombo
Colombo 3
Sri Lanka

Telephone: +94 (0) 112500452
Email: mphilphdcoordinator@soc.cmb.ac.lk

Doctor in Philosophy (PhD)

The Department of Sociology offers a PhD degree subject to the general entry and prequalification criteria for such courses mandated by the University of Colombo. Successful candidates will be provided supervision services for their research and dissertation writing components by the Department as well as access to the Department Library and the Main Library of the University.

The entry requirements are:

ii) Graduates who have obtained First or Second Class Honours in the General Arts Examination having offered the relevant/ related subject; and

iii) Obtained the M.A. Degree in Sociology of this University or have an equivalent qualification from a recognized University.

This programme is conducted under the Higher Degrees By-Laws of the University of Colombo.

For further information please contact:

Dr Dilrukshi Abeysinghe

Mphil/PhD Coordinator
Department of Sociology
University of Colombo
Colombo 3
Sri Lanka

Telephone: +94 (0) 112500452
Email: mphilphdcoordinator@soc.cmb.ac.lk

General Academic Information

Sociology Honours Degree Programme

The Sociology Honours Degree Programme gives students a deep understanding of Sociological theory and research practice. Students are selected for the Sociology (Special) Degree Programme at the end of the First Year based on their performance in the core subject courses offered by the Department of Sociology (SOC 1101 & SOC 1202). The merit list is made available after the release of the First Year Examination Results. Shortlisted students are called for interviews at the Department of Sociology. Forty-five to fifty (45-50) students are selected each year for the Honours Degree Programme.

Study Stream in Social Work

The Social Work Study Stream is offered under the Sociology Special Degree Programme. It constitutes of six (06) course units. This study stream which was initiated in 2009, includes lectures from academic staff (both local and foreign) and practitioners in the field of Social Work. Students following the Social Work study stream get opportunities to engage in practical work in various institutions and communities. Selections are made at the end of the First Year with the selection of students for the Sociology Special Degree Programme. Ten to fifteen (10-15) students are chosen from those selected for the Sociology Special Degree Programme to follow the Social Work Study Stream.

Study Streams Under the Three Year Degree Programme

Undergraduates who join the three-year degree programme at the Faculty of Arts can register to follow one of the following study streams offered by the Department of Sociology;

Study Stream in Applied Sociological Studies

The study stream in Applied Sociological Studies which began in 2015 is intended to provide students with knowledge of theoretical and applied aspects of sociology and related subject areas. The twenty (20) course units included in the study programme prepare students to find practical ways to address issues in real life situations and face the challenges of the world of work.

Study Stream in Urban and Community Studies

The study stream in Urban and Community Studies began in 2016 and caters to undergraduates with interests in urban communities. The main objective of this undergraduate program is to develop students’ understanding of the nature of cities as well as urban communities and its impact on both the individual and society at large. The eighteen (18) course units in the programme focus on issues in contemporary urban society, and on tools and concepts that can bring about change to improve urban life.

Study Stream in Sports Studies

As a well-established department that is in compliance with the national and international standards the Department of Sociology is committed to understanding and contributing to global sporting issues and trends. The Department of Sociology successfully introduced and implemented a novel Sports and Physical Activity Enhancement Course (ENH 2119/ENH 2219) in 2017 to enhance physical, mental and social well-being (including promoting soft skills) of the undergraduate students to fulfill the aims of those students pursuing a career (eg. physical education teaching, coaching etc.) in sports. The popularity for this course has grown rapidly among the students with increasing number of enrolments each semester since its inception to date, making ENH 2119 and ENH 2219 courses that are in demand among the students.

Prizes

N.D. S. Silva Memorial Prize for the Best Student in the Final Year of the Sociology (Special) Degree Programme
Ramanie Jayathilaka Award for the Best Student in Development Sociology
Suji Colombahewa Hettiarachchi Award for the Best Student in Contemporary Social Theory

Arabic and Islamic civilization unit

Overview

The Arabic and Islamic civilization unit was as a subject under the Dean Faculty of Arts in the beginning step, and then the university granted approval to inaugurate an independent unit for Arabic language and Islamic Civilization under the faculty of arts in 2008, is the realization of a year’s long vision and struggle of academics at the unit and the cooperation of administrative officials of the university, now it is succeeded in providing an extended service to hundreds of students in both academic and ethical bases. The Unit’s academic structure remains only three academic staff members at present.

About

Islamic Civilization Unit offers a wide range of course units for the General Degree in in Arts under the study stream “Applied Islamic studies.”

Overview

The students entering the Faculty of Arts of the University of Colombo may read for a

three-year degree in Arts (Study Streams) or
four-year Special degree in Arts majoring in one subject or
Bachelor of Education degree (BEd) which belongs to the four year degree category with Education as the major in the final year of study

Introduction
The Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo, has implemented the Course Unit System (CUs) since 1998. It offers many benefits to students such as extended lecture hours per unit in both semesters, flexibility in designing one’s own study programme, and increased transparency in relation to course outlines and evaluations.

The Academic Year and Semesters
The academic year is divided into two semesters – Semester I and Semester II.

Subject Categories and Codes
In the Faculty of Arts, CUs come under several main subject categories. These main subject categories are announced annually by the Faculty, as subject categories may change. Students are advised to consult the IDC for specific details. The current list of main subject categories and the associated subject codes are given in Table 1.

Table 1: Subject Categories and Codes

Subject Category	Subject Code	Subject Category	Subject Code
Pali and Buddhist Studies	BST/PLG	Islamic Civilization	ICV
Demography	DMG	Communication and Media Studies	CMS
Economics	ECN	Political Science and Public Policy	PSC
English	ENG	Sinhala	SLG
Geography	GYG	Sociology	SOC
History	HIS	Foundation*	FND
International Studies	INR	Elective	ELT

* FND Course Units are offered for 1st year students, while Elective Course Units (ELT) are for 2nd and 3rd year students.

Course Units and Codes
Each CU has its own identification code (subject code + unit code). For example, the subject code ECN indicates the Economics stream. The first two digits of the unit code indicate the year and the semester in which the course unit is offered. E.g. ECN 1101 is the Elementary Micro Economics course unit offered in the 1st semester of the first year, and ECN 1202 is the Elementary Macro Economics unit offered in the second semester of the first year.

Study Streams

The Faculty of Arts inaugurated study streams for those who opt for three year general degree at the faculty from May 2015. A Study Stream is a streamlined and closely targeted selection of subject-specific course units offered by departments/units in the faculty.

The study streams give more direction and focus to General Degree students’ education at the Faculty of Arts. Hence, students have the opportunity to offer an array of courses amounts to a sound combination that will result in rigorous knowledge in a particular area. The Study Streams concept aims to help General Degree students make a smart selection of course units.

The study streams also provide the General Degree students with a greater sense of belonging than they hold at the moment. Departments are primarily responsible on a day-to-day basis for having oversight over students’ academic progress, and there is in this arrangement a sense of belonging as a student of a particular Department. The Study Streams concept aims to strengthen the connection between Departments and General Degree students, to enhance a mutual sense of ownership and belonging.

How the study streams work is given in the table below.

Table 2: Credits for Study Stream Subjects

Year	1^st Subject(Stream)	2^nd Subject	3^rd Subject	FND	ENH	Total Credits
1^st Year	2 (6 credits)	2 (6 credits)	2 (6 credits)	4 (12 credits)	–	30
2^nd Year	5 (15 credits)	2 (6 credits)	2 (6 credits)	–	1 (3 credits)	30
3^rd Year	5 (15 credits)	2 (6 credits)	2 (6 credits)	–	1 (3 credits)	30

FND: Foundation Units, ENH: Enhancement Units
Note: number of course units are calculated, assuming 3 credit per unit.

With the Study Streams, it is evident that more emphasis is placed on Subject 1. Starting from the first year, students will be required to complete a minimum of 36 credits in Subject 1. One could realize that under Study Streams unit selection has been streamlined and simplified. The departments and units will announce the full list of courses associated with their study streams in the beginning of each year.

Undergraduates who are joining the three year degree programme of the Faculty of Arts will be able to offer the following study streams.

Subject Streams :

Department / Unit	Name of the Study Stream
Demography	Applied Demography
Economics	Banking and FinanceBusiness and Managerial Economics
English	English Studies : Theory and Practice
Geography	Geography and Environmental Management
History	Culture and Heritage
International Relations	Conflict, Resolution and Peace
Political Science & Public Policy	Democracy and Governance
Sinhala	Sinhala Studies
Sociology	Applied Sociology StudiesUrban and Community Studies
Buddhist Studies Unit	Buddhist Studies
English Language Teaching Unit	Studies in English Language as a second Language
Communication and Media Studies	Communication and Creative Arts
Islamic and Civilization	Applied Islamic Studies
Computer Teaching Unit	ICT for Development

Faculty of Education

Vision

To be a center of excellence in scholarship, teaching and research in education, committed to serve humanity

Mission

To facilitate the development of a committed professional educator with relevant knowledge , favorable attitudes and useful skills for teaching, research and service to the nation.

Undergraduate Degree

Bachelor of Education (Special) Degree

Medium: Sinhala/ English/ Tamil

Structure of the Program:

Calculation of Grade Point Value (GPV) and Grade Point Average (GPA)

Award of Honours and Classes

Course Coordinator(Sinhala Medium): Ms. Jeevani Herath

Course Coordinator(English Medium): Ms. Tiromi Indigahawela

Course Coordinator(Tamil Medium): Mr. A. Paunanthi

Postgraduate Diploma’s

Postgraduate Diploma in Education

This course is designed promote academic and professional development of teachers, teacher educators, principals of schools and others in the field of education.

Medium: Sinhala / English / Tamil

More Info

Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Drama &Theatre)

Medium : Sinhala

More Info

Postgraduate Diploma in Education (TESL)

The Department of Humanities Education, Faculty of Education, University of Colombo offers the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Teaching of English as a Second Language) course to cater to the needs of teachers of English as a Second Language in the system.

Medium: English

More Info

Postgraduate Diploma in Counseling

More Info

Masters of Education in Educational Management

M.Ed in Educational Management course is conducted by the Department of Social Science Education of the Faculty of Education, University of Colombo. It is primarily intended for administrators and managers who are employed in various public and private sector educational institutes. In addition to the above, applications from educational officers, directors, principals and school teachers are also considered for admission.

More Info

Master of Education (Teaching English for the speakers of Other Languages)

Medium: EnglishMore Info

Master of Education in Development Psychology

Medium: Sinhala

Course Coordinator/ M. Ed in Educational Psychology (FT) – Dr. Samudra SenarathMore Info

Master of Education in Science Education

Course Coordinator : Dr. Kumudu SenevirathneMore Info

M.Phil Course

Master of Philosophy (M.Phil)

SLQF Level: SLQF 11

More Info

Ph.D Course

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)

SLQF Level – SLQF 12

Faculty of Graduate Studies

It is with great pleasure I welcome you to the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS), University of Colombo. The FGS is one of the key contributors to human capital development in Sri Lanka and provides leadership and support for excellence in graduate education and research. We provide a stimulating environment for graduate study in multi-disciplines, offering over 28 programmes on Business Studies, Development studies, Manufacturing Management, Gender and Women Studies, Japanese Studies, Environmental Management, Information Systems Management, Counselling and Psychosocial Support, Labour Relations and Human Resource Management, Human Rights, Conflict Resolution and Peace Building, Public Administration, and Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy. Our programmes are contributing to the sustainable development of the country and helping Sri Lanka to achieve Agenda 2030 through our research and dissemination of knowledge. In addition to offering postgraduate degrees, FGS Colombo contributes and facilitates research through the annual research sessions, FGS seminar series, and FGS multidisciplinary journal published bi-annually.

Graduate education at FGS is a transformative experience fostering intellectual curiosity, a love of knowledge, and the desire to excel. Our graduate programmes offer students the skills to reach for new career opportunities or to pursue a path towards advanced research and study. The greatest strength of the Faculty of Graduate Studies of the University of Colombo is its Teaching Faculty consisting of well-trained academics and industry experts who acquired their academic and professional training from well-reputed Universities all over the world and thus have brought diverse experiences, traditions, and perspectives, which are definite requirements to train the professionals who very often need to cross the boundaries of cultures, disciplines, and experiences in the continuous flux of their organizational lives. Moreover, with the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions in conducting on-site lectures, the FGS was quickly able to adapt to on-line teaching modes and accommodate student needs in providing them an un-disturbed learning experience.

I wish all students at the FGS, Colombo to learn and excel in this challenging and competitive era and the pinnacle of success.

Professor A. A. Azeez
Dean/ Faculty of Graduate Studies

Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law of the University of Colombo is the premier seat of legal education in Sri Lanka which boasts of an unparalleled tradition of academic prestige. The history of the Faculty can be traced back to 1947, when the Department of Law was established under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ceylon. In 1950, the Department of Law of the University of Ceylon was shifted to the University of Peradeniya and operated under the Faculty of Arts. It was relocated to the University of Ceylon in 1965 and was exalted to the ‘Faculty of Law’ in 1967.

Since its inception, the Faculty has immensely contributed to moulding and nurturing the Sri Lankan legal system. Many generations of legal luminaries have passed through its halls. Our impressive network of alumni includes leading figures in the professional, political and academic spheres, whose contributions in numerous fields have been celebrated both nationally and internationally. The Faculty also has a diverse community of academic staff, whose unique perspectives, experiences, and critical thinking add value and meaning to the study and understanding of the law. Our academic staff includes distinguished professors and renowned academics whose cutting-edge scholarship has been published in prestigious academic journals around the world. Our academic staff members are also influential figures in the social and political arenas. The rich and vibrant scholarly community helps to keep alive the robust tradition of academic excellence.

Our students are resilient, dedicated, and hardworking and their intellectual rigour and enthusiasm for the law are highly commendable. It always gives me great pleasure and pride to witness our students’ academic achievements. The Faculty has a fulfilling learning environment which immensely benefits students. It conducts both undergraduate and post-graduate degree programmes in law. In addition to the diverse range of subjects that we offer in both taught and research degree programs, we are now incorporating emerging areas of law into our curriculum. Our international partnerships with top-ranked universities provide opportunities for students to engage with international legal experts in different fields of law. Every year, the Faculty conducts a series of conferences, workshops and webinars dealing with pressing issues of law. We encourage students to broaden their critical thinking and to sharpen their creative acumen with a vision of preparing them for a wide range of careers in a changing world. We also aim to inculcate ethical, social and moral values in them. Altogether, the alumni, the academic staff and the students contribute to the intellectual life of the Faculty of Law, upholding the faculty’s long-standing tradition and reputation for academic excellence. It is an honour to serve as the Dean of this prestigious institution and to work with such an outstanding team of talented colleagues, students, alumni, and well-wishers. I invite you to explore our website to learn more about our programmes and ways in which you can connect with the Faculty of Law.

Degree of Bachelor of Laws

The LL.B Degree programme is a four-year academic programme. Under the programme, a student studies nineteen (19) law subjects within a span of four academic years. The four academic years of the LL.B Degree programme are called the Bachelor of Laws Degree Year I, Year II, Year III, and Year IV respectively.

Revision of the current curriculum is in progress and will be introduced in the near future. However, the programme which was revised in 1996 has the following features:

Several new subjects were introduced and the total number of lecture hours for certain subjects was reduced in order to enable undergraduates to carry out independent research and study.
A subject called Legal Method was introduced in Year I to familiarise undergraduates with areas such as legal history, the legal profession, how to carry out research, how to read cases, and how to write a research paper. Undergraduates are strongly advised to make use of the study skills and opportunities provided by this subject and to actively interact with the lecturer concerned.
Another change was that Public International Law was made compulsory for Year III law undergraduates.
To provide knowledge in the area of Commercial Law, new subjects such as International Investment Law, Business Law and Intellectual Property Law have been introduced under this programme.

Interpretation of Statutes and Documents, and Evidence and Procedure were made compulsory electives in the Year III; and Human Rights Law and Environmental Law have been made compulsory electives in the 4^th Year. Accordingly, in the 3^rd Year you must study either Interpretation of Statutes and Documents or Evidence and Procedure; and in the 4^th Year you must study Human Rights Law or Environmental Law. The idea was that all undergraduates must study a course which has a practical basis in the 3^rd Year and that all undergraduates in the 4^th Year should study a course which will make them socially responsible citizens. Please refer the section on “Subjects Offered.”

New optional subjects were introduced and teaching methodology was revised to encourage more student participation in class and to reduce the dependence on lecture notes.

Degree of Master of Laws

The Faculty of Law, University of Colombo is the leading institution offering a taught Master of Laws (LL.M) programme in Sri Lanka. The LL.M Programme, the curriculum of which is being revised, is intended to provide thematically structured courses of contemporary relevance and quality.

Admission to the LL.M programme is very competitive. Only a limited number of qualified and highly motivated individuals who are selected on the basis of merit get the opportunity to pursue it.

Postgraduate qualifications, such as an LL.M, are pathways to enhance a person’s capability to secure job opportunities under increasingly competitive conditions today, both at home and abroad. A postgraduate law degree programme presents many stimulating challenges, and the skills acquired are useful whatever the career plans of an individual may be.

Faculty of Management & Finance

Established in May 1994, the Faculty of Management & Finance remains as the growing faculty of the University of Colombo. The historical development of this faculty dates back to 1979 when the Department of Commerce and Management Studies of the University of Colombo was set up. As a department that operated under the Faculty of Arts, the Department of Commerce and Management Studies grew rapidly in the 1980s and thereby became the department that accommodated the highest number of undergraduates in the Faculty of Arts.

In line with the increasing student population and the rapidly growing needs of Sri Lankan business community, the necessity for establishing a new faculty for this particular field of study began to be felt in late 1980s. The issue was discussed and debated among university authorities, teachers, students and other stakeholders of the University of Colombo for several years. As an initial step of expediting the process of establishing the new faculty, two academic departments, namely the Department of Commerce and the Department of Management Studies, were formed in 1993 under the purview of the Faculty of Arts. Finally, the long-lived dream of all interested parties materialized in May 1994 with the inauguration of the Faculty of Management & Finance. Since then the undergraduate population of the faculty has rapidly grown.

The Faculty of Management & Finance is committed to pursuing excellence in research, teaching, community services, and university-industry cooperation and collaboration, whilst making all efforts to be the center of excellence for management and finance education in Sri Lanka. Living up to this commitment of national and international significance, the Faculty of Management & Finance embarked on planning for a major restructuring program in the late 1990s. The basic thrust of this strategic initiative was to incorporate disciplinary rigor, business practicality, and skill development into the curriculum, thus exploring the avenues for building mutually beneficial and collaborative links between the Faculty and the industry.

In its historical evolution, the Faculty of Management & Finance reached yet another juncture in May 2007. Putting the re-structuring plan into practice, two academic departments which were in existence for many years were abolished and six new academic departments were established, such as:

Department of Accounting
Department of Business Economics
Department of Finance
Department of Human Resources Management
Department of International Business
Department of Management and Organization Studies
Department of Marketing.

This intra-faculty institutional development has provided its undergraduates with the opportunity and resources for specializing in different fields of study including Accounting, Business Economics, Finance, Hospitality and Leisure Management, Human Resources Management, and Marketing. Alternatively, undergraduates can opt to read for a degree program that draws upon knowledge from all these specializations/disciplines and aims at covering a broader perspective of business administration. To incorporate current trends in the corporate sector the faculty introduced two new academic programmes, namely BBA in International Business and BBA in Management and Organization Studies in 2009. The faculty has taken all these initiatives with a view to producing employable graduates aligned with the needs of the business world.

MPhil/PhD Programme in Management & Business Studies

The need of a research degree programme for the faculty for its strategic goal of achieving academic excellence in management education had been recognized for more than 10 years. For several times efforts had been made but could not bring a result for various reasons, however it become a reality during 2013/14.The first programme was inaugurated in May 2014 , currently the intake to this programme is limited to maximum 15 candidate to maintain high standard of quality.

Programme Options

MPhil/PhD	Full time	Part time
Y	Y

Your Investment

For entry in the academic year beginning January 2022, the tuition fees are as follows:

For local applicants (in SLR)

	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Total
Refundable library deposit	5,000	–	–	5000
Annual Registration Fee	10,000	10,000	10,000	30,000
Library Fee	2,000	2,000	2,000	6,000
Tuition Fee	350,000	350,000	350,000	1,050,000
Total	367,000	362,000	362,000	1,091,000

Total all-inclusive investment for foreign nationals in USD (Except for food, lodging, Airfare and local travelling):

	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Total
For SAARC Region	3000	3000	3000	9000
For Others

Faculty of Medicine

The Faculty of Medicine is the second oldest medical school in South Asia and the forerunner of university education in this country. For nearly a century it was the only medical school in the island and its contribution to the health of the nation by way of providing health services, medical education and medical research is difficult to measure.

In 1839, the Governor of Ceylon J.A. Stewart Mackenzie started sending Ceylonese students to Calcutta for medical studies, to the oldest medical school in South Asia – the Bengal Medical College.

In the 1860s the Colonial Surgeon, Dr. James Loos was requested to report on the large depopulation of the Wanni. He recommended that medical facilities should be available throughout the island and to this end a medical school should be opened. The Colombo Medical School was thus opened in 1870 by the then Governor Sir Hercule Robinson. Dr. James Loos was its first principal. Dr. E.L. Koch was the second principal in whose memory the Koch memorial clock tower, which still stands, was built in 1881.

The beginnings of the medical school were modest. It was situated in the General Hospital Colombo, and had three teachers and 25 students. It offered a course of three years duration, until in 1873 the course was extended to four years. Its progress was rapid. In 1880 the medical school was raised to the status of a college (renamed the Ceylon Medical College) and in 1884 the course was extended to 5 years.

Faculty Structure

Undergraduate Programs

MBBS – Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery

Until 1995 the M.B.,B.S. course was on traditional lines where the course was punctuated with the 2nd M.B.,B.S. and 3rd M.B.,B.S. examinations and terminated with the Final M.B.,B.S. examination. Clinical teaching was mostly in the tertiary setting of the Colombo group of hospitals. However, even within this traditional course, many changes were made over the years in both training and evaluation.
In periodically changing its curriculum to keep pace with ever widening horizons of medical knowledge and possibilities, the Faculty has spear headed changes in medical curriculum in Sri Lanka. In 1995 the M.B.,B.S. curriculum was changed after six years of planning. The main objectives of the new curriculum are to reduce content and quantum of teaching by didactic lectures and instead to make learning more student centered.
Towards this end teaching methods such as Problem Based Learning, Small Group Discussions, Seminars, Tutorials, Debates, Inter-Disciplinary Activities, Fixed Learning Modules, field attachments, and family attachments have been introduced. The student is encouraged by these methods to be a self-learner. System based learning, emphasis on behavioural sciences and the community are other important features of the new curriculum.

Department of Allied Health Sciences

The Department of Allied Health Sciences which is situated at the 10th floor of the UCFM Tower, No-25, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo 08 conducts all the academic and administrative matters related to the Bachelor of Science Honours in Physiotherapy. The BSc Honours in Physiotherapy degree programme is a four year course initiated in 2006 with the enrollment of students of 2005 A/L batch. Prof. Joe Perera, Associate Professor in Anatomy was the first course coordinator of the BSc Physiotherapy degree programme. He was succeeded by Prof. Vajira H.W. Dissananyake, Dr. Ajith Malalasekera (Senior Lecturers in Anatomy), Dr. Jithangi Wanigasinghe(Senior Lecturer in Paediatrics) and Prof. DJ Athony. Presently the Department is headed by Dr. Subhashini Jayawardene, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy.
Physiotherapy graduates are expected to take over patients with musculoskeletal and neurological impairments, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation necessities, children with disabilities, elderly care, women’s health and sports related injuries. Physiotherapy undergraduates gain their clinical training at National Hospital Sri Lanka, Ragama Rehabilitation Hospital, Chest hospital Welisara, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for children and Community Rehabilitation Centres, The Department of Allied health Sciences has established links with international universities and utilizes visiting lecturers to provide more exposure and experience to the undergraduates.

Faculty of Nursing

Faculty of Nursing, University of Colombo, is the first ever nursing faculty in Sri Lanka, which is the latest extension of a wing of the oldest and top ranked national state university in the island, University of Colombo. The overall aim of Faculty of Nursing is to enhance Sri Lanka’s capacity to produce graduate nurses who are capable of catering for both national and international health care needs with advanced knowledge and skills which are based on a sound theoretical and practical foundation.

The establishment of the new faculty will be a driving force of its harbor ‘University of Colombo’ in achieving the excellence in building synergies between knowledge, education and research, collaborating with its remaining eight faculties with academic departments, campus, school, seven institutes and five centers

Department of Basic Science and Social Science

Department of Sciences and Social Sciences for nursing is devoted for providing thorough basic knowledge on different disciplines under basic sciences and social sciences related to nursing, including, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Social Sciences allied with nursing education, by offering course units along with practical experience to all the first year undergraduates entering the faculty for perusal of four year B.Sc degree program in nursing. Moreover, the department is playing a significant role in conducting and promotion of nursing research.

Department of Fundamental Nursing

The Department of Fundamentals of Nursing plays a major role in collaboration with other departments and ensures achievement of overall course outcomes. Further, the department is directly responsible for undertaking the key course units allied with nursing care and management, including Fundamentals of Nursing, Health Assessment, Community Health Nursing, Ethics and professional Development, Nursing Management and leadership and integrated Nursing Practice. Moreover, the department is playing a significant role in offering course units along with practical and clinical experience though out four years’ time in B.Sc nursing degree programe

Department of Clinical Nursing

The Department of Clinical Nursing integrates staff expertise in four fields of nursing – adult health, children health, young people health, and mental health – with advanced clinical practice, general practice, postgraduate nursing education and clinical research. The department focus on developing the practical skills, research, and innovation involved in our field in cooperation with working life .The nursing academics specialized in different specialty areas in nursing in the department enables the graduates to work collaboratively on education, professional practice development and research, and creates a rich network of nursing and clinical nursing experts.

Our team of highly qualified nursing staff is committed to produce the next generation of outstanding, skilled and compassionate nursing professionals. We take an active role in clinical nursing care networks in order to reform nursing education and working life. We are happy to help our clients with various challenges involving training, research, development, and innovation.

About the Degree program

The faculty offers a four year ‘ Bachelor of Science in Nursing’ (BScN) degree program which consists of three main subject areas: General core subjects in Basic Sciences and Social Science, Nursing core subjects and Professional Nursing subjects. The entire degree programme operate on a credit based system.

What the faculty offers

The Degrees

The Faculty of Nursing of the University of Colombo offers four year degree in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.ScN), of a standard equivalent to Sri Lanka Qualification Framework (SLQF) Level 6.

Clinical experience

Students entering Faculty of Nursing of the University of Colombo have the opportunity of engage in clinical training at selected government and semi-government General Hospitals in the country, to fulfill their clinical practices..

Devoted teaching and research faculty

For the smooth conduct of the academic programmes, the Faculty of nursing of the University of Colombo has well qualified multidisciplinary staff devoted for teaching and research, under the overall management of a very experienced senior academic as the Dean of the Faculty.

Students will have the opportunity of learning from the experts; engage in basic and clinical research and to innovate. In addition, experts in specialized areas will be invited outside the Faculty, giving the students a wide exposure in different fields in health care.

Faculty of Technology

The Faculty of Technology of the University of Colombo is pivotally positioned to provide an excellent technological education to the undergraduates seeking admission to the Faculty. As a newly established Faculty under the patronage of the oldest and the highest ranked Higher Educational Institute in the country, the prime objective of the Faculty is to produce high quality graduates through its innovative study programmes. The Faculty of Technology consists of four dynamic departments, namely, the Departments of Agricultural Technology, Environmental Technology, Instrumentation & Automation Technology and Information & Communication Technology. The Faculty is also equipped with the state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities. The experience of our outstanding faculty members who are, themselves, leaders in their disciplines would provide the most intellectually curious undergraduates an opportunity to conduct meaningful research that will give them recognition in both the national and international context. Through the academic programmes conducted by the departments of the Faculty, the students are trained as technology professionals with knowledge of the existing novel technologies. They will also achieve competency in applying them innovatively and creatively. We look forward to making the students who enroll in our programmes become a diverse and talented community of learners, scholars, and professionals.

Bachelor of Biosystems Technology Honours in Agriculture

Total Credits: 121

Applicable for 2018/2019 batch onwards

Level I – Semester 1

Course Code	Course Name	Total Credits	Credits and Hours
Theory	Practical
Credits	Hours	Credits	Hours
EN 1101	Integrated English Language Skills for Technology (I)	NG*	1	15	–	–
FT 1101	Workshop Practice	1	–	–	1	30
FT 1201	Basic Mathematics	2	2	30	–	–
FT 1203	Chemistry	2	2	30	–	–
FT 1301	Physics	3	2	30	1	30
ET 1202	Introduction to Hydrology	2	2	30	–	–
AG 1101	Principles of Agronomy	1	1	15	–	–
AG 1201	Introduction to Farming Systems	2	1	15	1	30
AG 1301	Biology	3	2	30	1	30
Total	16	12	180	4	120

Level I – Semester 2

Course Code	Course Name	Total Credits	Credits and Hours
Theory	Practical
Credits	Hours	Credits	Hours
EN 1102	Integrated English Language Skills for Technology (II)	NG	1	15	–	–
FT 1102	Technology and Historical Transformation	1	1	15	–	–
FT 1204	Computer Applications	2	–	–	2	60
ET 1203	Basic Soil Science	2	1	15	1	30
AG 1102	Farm Tractors	1	–	–	1	30
AG 1202	Introduction to Biosystems Technology	2	2	30	–	–
AG 1203	Introductory Animal Husbandry	2	1	15	1	30
AG 1204	Plantation and Field Crop Production	2	1	15	1	30
AG 1302	Crop Nutrient Management	3	2	30	1	30
Total	15	8	120	7	210

Learning Management System

Learning management system (LMS) is a software application or web-based technology used to plan, implement and assess learning processes. This e-based learning platform is widely used in higher educational systems and very useful especially due to the current pandemic. Students can use the LMS of the Faculty of Technology to access the course content and its related information by registering to the system. The students can log on to the LMS using their registration number as the username and the password provided by the faculty. In the LMS, the lectures will include all course material with the requirements to be met by the students for each course where the student will have access to the contents. The forum will be open to all registered students to engage in discussions with the lecturer and among the students. All General news and announcements will be posted through the calendar and the site events of the LMS. Most of the assignment can be submitted via the LMS.

Accommodation

Faculty currently consists of fully furnished two hostels at the Faculty premises, Pitipana Homagama. In these two hostels, 800 students (400 male and 400 female students) will receive the on-campus hostel facility. Further, necessary steps are being taken to increase the hostel facility in the Faculty.

Admissions

Admissions Policy

Selecting of students for admission to Universities in Sri Lanka is being done by University Grants Commission on the basis of an admission policy laid down from time to time by them with the concurrence of the Government. Applications are invited through a notice published in the Press from eligible candidates on forms provided for the purpose by the UGC.

The following accounts on admission is based on the publication titled “Admission to undergraduate courses of the Universities in Sri Lanka” issued annually by the UGC and can be regarded as only informative.

The following admission policy will apply in respect of forthcoming Academic years Selection of students will be done on the basis of rank order on average Z-Scores obtained by candidates at the G.C.E. (A/L) Examination. Z-Scores are released to candidates by the Commissioner General of Examinations.

Minimum Requirements for Admission

Candidates who are pronounced eligible by the Commissioner General of Examinations should have obtained;

At least ‘S’ Grades; in all three approved subjects and,
A minimum mark of 30% for the Common General Paper.

Candidates who are pronounced ineligible by the Commissioner General of Examinations due to not satisfying (b) above are also allowed to apply for university admission only if they have already satisfied at previous attempt / attempts or would satisfy at any future attempt the said requirement within the three attempts allowed to sit the G.C.E. (A/L) Examination for the purpose of university admission.

Admission Criteria

In the case of Arts courses (i.e. Arts, Arts (SP), Arts (SAB), Communication Studies, Peace & Conflict Resolution, Islamic Studies, Arabic Language) admission will be made on an all island merit basis subject to the condition that the total number admitted from a given district will not be below the total number admitted from that district in the base academic year namely: 1993/94.
Admission to courses of study in Ayurveda, Unani & Siddha Medicine too will be made on an all island merit basis.
Admission to all courses other than the courses stated in 3.2.3.1 and 3.2.3.2 above will be made on dual criteria, namely.

All Island Merit

Merit on District basis,

Under All Island Merit criteria

Up to 40% of the available places will be filled in order of Z Scores ranked on an all island basis.

Under District Merit Criteria

Up to 55% of the available places in each course of study will be allocated to the 25 administrative districts in proportion to the total population, that is, on the ratio of the population of the district concerned to the total population of the country.
A special allocation up to 5% of the available places in each course of study will be allocated to the under-mentioned 16 educationally disadvantaged districts in proportion to the population, that is, on the ratio of the population of each such district to the total population of the 16 districts

Ampara
Anuradhapura
Badulla
Batticaloa

Hambantota
Jaffna
Kilinochchi
Mannar

Monaragala
Mullaitivu
Nuwara Eliya
Polonnaruwa

Puttalam
Ratnapura
Trincomalee
Vavuniya

Intake

Course of Study

Arts
Arts (SP)
Biological Science
Industrial Statistics & Mathematical Finance
Law
Management & Finance
Medicine
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
Physiotherapy
Physical Science

Requirement to Pass the Aptitude Test

Candidates who wish to apply for the Arts (SP) Course in Sri Palee Campus, Horana should have passed the Aptitude Test, which will be conducted by the Sri Palee Campus.

The Sri Palee Campus will publish a press notice calling for applications to sit the aptitude test.

Special Admission

Apart from the normal intake of students, the UGC may select limited number of students for the selected courses of studies under the special admission criteria. The categories of candidates who can apply for special admission given below.

1. Blind and Differently Abled Candidates

Under this category UGC enquire the concern of the University for sending students for the Courses of studies in Arts, Commerce, Biology & Physical Science.

Students Who Have Excelled in Fields Other than Studies: Up to 0.5% of the places from the proposed intake in each course of study other than courses offered by the University of Visual and Performing Arts has been reserved for candidates who have obtained only 1st, 2nd or 3rd places at national level and / or achievements at international levels in such fields as sports, cultural activities (e.g. dancing, painting, music and literature), scouting and cadetting, social work and other extra curricular activities during the specific period decided by the UGC.

Enlisted Personnel of Armed Forces, Police Service & Special Task Force: Up to 0.5 percent of the total number of places from the proposed intake in Medicine, Dental Surgery and Engineering is reserved for the personnel enlisted in the Armed Forces, Police Service and the Special Task Force serving in operational areas.

Sri Lankans who have Studied Abroad and Foreign Students: Up to 0.5 percent of the places from the proposed intake in each course of study have been allocated to Sri Lankan students who have obtained qualifications abroad and foreign students. Accordingly, candidates who have foreign qualifications equivalent to G.C.E (A/L) Examination of Sri Lanka are eligible to apply.

2. Admissions of Teachers

The University Grants Commission may admit to courses in Arts, Biological Science, Physical Science and Applied Sciences each year a limited number of teachers belonging to the following categories:

Teachers who have passed the General Arts Qualifying (External) Examination in or after 2004 having offered English as one of the subjects.
Teachers who have passed the General Science Qualifying (External) Examination in or after 2004.

In order to be eligible for admission under all the Special Admission Categories a candidate belonging to either of the above categories should complete the requirements described in the Admission Handbook of UGC.

3. Additional Intake

For some subjects in the Arts streams, an adequate number of students may not be selected on the basis of the admission criteria specified above. As a result, some Faculties and Departments could be in a position to admit a larger number than the number selected under the normal admission criteria. In such circumstances, the UGC may, at the request of the Universities concerned, decide to admit a limited number of additional students for selected subject areas.

Exam Rules and Regulations

CANDIDATES

Candidates are required to be at the examination hall at least 15 minutes before the commencement of each paper, but shall not enter the hall until they are requested to do so by the Supervisor.
No candidate shall be admitted to the examination hall for any reason whatsoever after the expiry of half an hour from the commencement of the examination. Nor shall a candidate be allowed to leave the hall until half-an-hour has lapsed from the commencement of the examination or during the last 15 minutes of the paper.
On admission to the hall, a candidate shall occupy the seat allotted to him/ her and shall not change it except on the specific instructions of the supervisor.
A candidate shall have his/ her student Identity Card and the Admission Card with him/ her in the examination hall on every occasion he/she presents himself/ herself for a paper. His/ her candidature is liable to be canceled if he/ she does not produce the Identity Card when requested to do so. If he/ she failed to bring his/her Identity Card on any occasion, he/ she shall sign a declaration in respect of the paper for which he/ she had not produced the Identity Card in the form provided for it and produce the Identity Card to the Registrar on the following day. If a candidate loses his/ her Identity Card in the course of the Examination, he/ she shall obtain a duplicate Identity Card from the Registrar, for production at the examination hall.
Admission Cards signed in the presence of the Supervisor/ Invigilator shall be handed over to the Supervisor/ Invigilator on the day of your last paper.
Candidates shall bring their own pens, ink, mathematical instruments, erasers, pencils, or any other approved equipment or stationery which they have been instructed to bring.
Examination stationery (ie. writing paper, graph paper, drawing paper, ledger paper, precise paper, etc.) will be supplied as and when necessary. No sheet of paper or answer book supplied to a candidate may be torn, crumpled, folded or otherwise mutilated. No papers other than those supplied to him/her by the Supervisor/ Invigilator shall be used by a candidate. Log tables or any other material provided shall be used with care and left behind on the desk. All material supplied whether used or unused other than the answer scripts, shall be left behind on the desk and not removed from the examination halls.
No candidate shall have on his/ her person or in his/ her clothes or on the admission Card, Time Tables, or any other object he/ she is permitted to bring into the examination hall, any notes, signs, and formula or any other unauthorized material. Books, notes, parcels, handbags, cellular phones, etc. which a candidate has brought with him/ her should be kept at a place indicated by the Supervisor/ Invigilator. The supervisor shall not take responsibility in case any of these materials kept is lost.
A candidate may be required by the Supervisor to declare any item in his/ her possession or person.
Every candidate shall enter his/ her Index Number at the appropriate place on the answer book and on every continuation paper. He/ she shall also enter all necessary particulars as indicated on the cover of the answer book. A candidate who inserts on his/ her script an Index Number other than his/ her own is liable to be considered as having attempted to cheat. The Supervisor/ Invigilator has the authority to check the answer scripts of the candidate. A script that bears no Index Number or an Index Number which cannot be identified, is liable to be rejected. No candidate shall write his name or any other identifying mark on the answer scripts.
Candidates are under the authority of the Supervisor and shall assist him/ her by carrying out his/ her instructions and those of the Invigilators during the examination and immediately before and after it.
Every candidate shall conduct himself/ herself in the examination hall and its precincts so as not to cause disturbance or inconvenience to the Supervisor or his/ her staff or to the other candidates. In entering and leaving the hall, he/ she shall conduct himself/ herself as quietly as possible. A candidate is liable to be excluded from the examination hall for disorderly conduct.
Absolute silence shall be maintained in the examination hall and its precincts. A candidate is not permitted for any reason whatsoever to communicate or to have any dealings with any person other than the Supervisor/ Invigilator. The attention of the Supervisor/ Invigilator shall be drawn by the candidate by raising his hand from where he is seated.
After the examination has commenced no candidate shall be permitted to leave the examination hall even temporarily. In case of an emergency, the Supervisor/ Invigilator shall grant him permission to do so but the candidate shall be under his constant surveillance.
The candidate shall stop work promptly when ordered by the Supervisor/ Invigilator to do so. If this instruction is not strictly followed the Supervisor/ Invigilator has the authority to make an endorsement to this effect on the answer scripts.
All calculations and rough work shall be done only on paper supplied for the examination and shall be canceled and attached to the answer scripts. Such work should not be done on admission cards, time tables, question papers, record books, or on any other paper. Any candidate who disregards these instructions is liable to be considered as having written notes or outlines of the answer with the intention of copying.
Any answer or part of the answer which is not to be considered for the purpose of assessment shall be neatly crossed out. If the same question has been attempted in more than one place the answer or answers that are not be considered shall be neatly crossed out.
Every candidate shall hand over the answer script personally to the Supervisor/ Invigilator or remain in his/ her seat until it is collected. On no account shall a candidate hand over his/ her answer script to an Attendant, a minor employee or another candidate.
A candidate who has handed over his/ her answer script shall under no circumstances be entitled to call it back.

Student Awards & Prizes

Awards and prizes presented to eligible students who have completed their University education. The Awards are as follows :

The Student of the year Award

The award is granted to a student who shows excellence in his or her academic studies and also someone with sportsmanship, an interest in aesthetic and cultural activities, with proven leadership and exemplary conduct and character.

The D.P.P. Samarasekera Peace Prize

The prize is given to a student who worked to foster social harmony either within the University Community or outside it through diverse activities and/or to a student who assisted those in need in a courteous, considerate, kind and understanding manner.

The Canekeratne Prize for General Merit

This prize is limited to the student who receive First or Second Class Upper Division in a Special Degree from any Faculty. This student should show considerable achievements in extracurricular activities, such as holding the captaincy or getting colours in a University ‘A’ team; having achievements in Debating or Oratory Competitions: producing or acting as lead in plays for recognized University Societies; or winning Gold, Silver or a Bronze Medal at University cultural or similar activity. The eligible student must also have a positive academic record with good attendance and excellent conduct throughout the entire period spent at University. The student must provide documentary evidence to prove his/her eligibility

Hostels

Student & Staff Affairs branch maintains 12 hostels for the undergraduate students in the following locations. Students from the families in the lower-income group and from distant residences are given preference. Rs.2,000/- is charged as the hostel fee for an academic year and Rs.1,000/- is charged as a hostel admission fee. The warden is the senior member of the Academic Staff and he/she is responsible for the disciplinary matters in hostels under the guidance and control of the Vice-Chancellor. The Sub – Warden is a resident fulltime sub-warden resides in each hostel.

Application for the Hostel facilities. [Sinhala | English]

Foreign scholarships for Local students

There are currently no Foreign scholarships for Local students available.
Thank you for your interest.

By-Laws, Guidelines & Policies affecting to Student Activities

By-Law on Student Discipline
Common Guidelines on Student Discipline – UGC Circular No. 946
Email Policy ENGLISH | සිංහල
Guideline on using the University Logo
Policy Against Sexual Harassment සිංහල | தமிழ் | English
Ragging and Violence
Sample Constitution for Student Societies
Social Media Guidelines
Students Union By-Law No. l of 1989

By-Laws

Errors and Suggestion

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