Sri Lanka: Expansion of Technology degree programmes

The government plans to increase student intake for technology degree programmes and has estimated a total cost of Rs. 7020 million (approx. GBP 33 million) towards the development of infrastructure facilities in universities and higher education institutions to accommodate this increase.

Beginning at the school level, an additional 30 school based technological faculties will be added to the 420 previously set up.  All of these schools will have a minimum of 75 students studying technology as a subject.

In the higher education sector, the government plans to introduce technology degree programmes at University of Sri Jayawardenapura, University of Kelaniya, University of Jaffna, University of Ruhuna, Rajarata University, Wayamba University, Uva Wellassa University, Eastern University, South Eastern University and Sabaragamuwa University.

Interestingly, one of the main aims in introducing technological faculties is to cater to the growing number of students opting to study Arts subjects. Currently over 51 per cent of students entering state universities are from the Arts stream. However a large percentage of arts graduates remain unemployed as they do not possess skills required by the corporate job market. The government through the introduction of technological faculties hopes to address this issue by reducing arts stream entrants to 25 per cent and encouraging more students to opt for technological studies.

For more information on the current higher education landscape in Sri Lanka please email,

Chamath Peiris

Manager Higher Education and Education Services

Chamath.Peiris@britishcouncil.org and siemsouthasia@britishcouncil.org