University History

The University of Kelaniya has its origin in the historic Vidyalankara Pirivena, founded in 1875 as a centre of learning for Buddhist monks. It was one of the two great national centres of traditional higher learning, heralding the first phase of the national movement and national resurgence.

With the establishment of modern Universities in Sri Lanka in the 1940s and 1950s, the Vidyalankara Pirivena became the Vidyalankara University in 1959, later the Vidyalankara Campus of the University of Ceylon in 1972 and, ultimately, the University of Kelaniya in 1978.

Today, the University of Kelaniya is one of the major national Universities. It is located just outside the municipal limits of Colombo, in the ancient and historic city of Kelaniya, on the north bank of the Kelani River. It has two major campuses, seven locations, six faculties and four institutions.

MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY

To nurture intellectual citizens through creativity and innovation, who contribute to the national development.

VISION OF THE UNIVERSITY

To become a centre of excellence in creation and dissemination of knowledge for sustainable development.

The Chancellor of the University

Aggamaha Saddhammajothika Dhaja, Tripitaka Vagishvaracharya, Upadhyaya Dhurandara ,Mahopadaya, Pandith, the most Venerable Welamitiyawe Dharmakirthi Sri Kusala Dhamma Thero

Faculties

Commerce & Management