The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL; , ) is a national university in Sri Lanka. It is unique within the Sri Lankan national university system for being the only university to offer programs of study leading to certificate, diploma, degrees and postgraduate degrees up to PhD level through the Open and Distance Mode of Learning (ODL).The Open University of Sri Lanka Homepage . Retrieved 23 November 2009. The degrees awarded by the university are treated as equivalent to degrees awarded by any other Sri Lankan University under the preview of the University Grants Commission.
The OUSL Main Campus and Colombo regional centre (C010) is located in Colombo in Nawala, Nugegoda. There are 8 regional centers in addition to main campus at Nawala. They are: Kandy Regional Center ( K030 ) – Polgolla, Kandy Matara Regional Center ( M050 ) – Nupe, Matara Jaffna Regional Center ( J060 ) – Kokuvil, Jaffna Anuradhapura Regional Center ( K110 ) – Jayanthi Mawatha, Anuradhapura Batticaloa Regional Center ( K070 ) – 23, New Road, Batticaloa Badulla Regional Center – No 18/1, Bandaranayake Mw, Badulla Kurunegala Regional Center ( K090 ) – Negombo Road, Malkaduwawa, Kurunegala Ratnapura Regional Center ( C130 ) – Hidellana, Ratnapura
The Open University of Sri Lanka is currently ranked as No.9 among Sri Lankan Universities and No. 6353 among international Universities.Sri Lanka University Ranking and Higher Education Institute Ranking
Establishment and history The concept of establishing the Open University of Sri Lanka was by Dr. Nissanka Wijeyeratne the Cabinet Minister of Education & Higher Education at the time.Saga of Nilame and Kumarihamy by Lakmal Welabada. Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 10 December 2006.An Illustrious Statesman by Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne . Daily News (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 7 January 2016.
As Cabinet Minister of Education and Higher Education,History, The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Jaffna. The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Wijeyeratne introduced the Universities Act No 16 of 1978 to Parliament. The University of Ceylon was the only university in Ceylon from 1942 until 1978. As a result of this Act, it was separated into five independent universities: University of Colombo, University of Peradeniya, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University of Kelaniya and University of Jaffna. He also proposed the establishment of the University of Ruhuna and the Open University of Sri Lanka . Sri Lanka Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Sri Lanka Parliament Vote of Condolence to Dr.Nissanka Wijeyeratne on 10th June, 2011.
The university was set up by the Government of Sri Lanka under the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978, for the purpose of providing higher educational opportunities to working adults – providing them the road to success, surpassing age, vocation, gender, race, ethnicity and religion. The OUSL has the same legal and academic status as any other national university in Sri Lanka.
The university policy on admission would enable a person to register at the lowest 'Level' with mere basic literacy and then climb up to postgraduate level.The Open University of Sri Lanka Homepage Retrieved on 23 November 2009
The concept of Distance Education at the OUSL functions through a dynamic network of regional and study centres, with knowledge imparted through multiple media. Therefore, students with work commitments are able to pursue studies since they interact with especially designed self-instructional materials where the materials function as a "Tutor in Print". This method provides the distance learner with the best possible learning opportunity to enable a balancing of personal, work related and academic obligations.
Admission The open university of Sri Lanka has unique admission procedure and criteria for various study programmes.
Any Sri Lankan citizen above 18 years Of age can apply for the university and there are no upper age limit.
The university as " The peoples university" provide opportunity to climb up certificate level to PhD level and multiple entry and multiple outing options at various study levels.
Level 06 - Honours degree. Level 05 - General degree. Level 04 - Advanced diploma. Level 03 - Diploma. Level 02 - Advanced certificate.
For the degree programmes, the minimum requirement is three simple passes at G.C.E. advanced level examination. the university does not consider their Z scores or marks received at General common test. The open university of Sri Lanka accepts both Local and London AL results. In addition to ALs some professional degrees require recognized professional diploma for the admission. Several degree programmes started after a selection test while other programmes don't.
People who are not carrying Advanced level qualifications, can join with their G.C.E. Ordinary level qualifications to an Advanced certificate programme (degree foundation programmes) at Study Level 02 which is equivalent to G.C.E Advanced levels And SLQF level 02 .After successful completion of an advanced certificate programme, candidates can join with their desired degree or diploma programmes.
All students are Guided and supported by counselling sessions and orientation programmes before registration and throughout the programme. 70% -80% of course fee are sponsored by the government of Sri Lanka.
The university also offers certificate programmes at level 01 And Short courses at level 0 in various fields.
There are unique educational courses called "Continuous education courses (CE)" where an individual can continue his or her studies further without registering for a regular degree or diploma programmes.
All applications are should be submitted "Online " via OUSL web site and the university does not accept physical applications unless its a short course programme.
Administration Chancellor – Dr. M. A. Upali Mampitiya . Vice-Chancellor – Prof. P.M.C.Thilakerathne. Faculty Deans Faculty of Education – Dr. (Mrs.) D.V.M. De Silva. Faculty of Engineering Technology – Dr. L.S.K. Udugama. Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences – DR. Athulasiri Samarakoon Faculty of Natural Sciences – Prof. V.P.S. Perera Faculty of Health Sciences- Dr. B. Sunil S. De Silva. Faculty of Management Studies- Prof. Nalin Abeysekera. Registrar – Ms. Vindya Jayasena. Bursar – Dr. W.M.K.G.A. Wickramasinghe. Librarian – Mr. Harsha Balasooriya(Act).
Chancellor The Chancellor is the Head of the university and presides at the convocation of the university.
Dr. M. A.Upali Mampitiya is the present chancellor of the Open University of Sri Lanka. He was appointed the Chancellor of OUSL on 30th October 2025.The Open University of Sri Lanka Homepage Retrieved on 23 November 2009
Vice-Chancellor The Vice-Chancellor is the head of administration of the university. Prof. P.M.C.Thilakerathne is the current Vice-Chancellor of The Open University of Sri Lanka. He was appointed on 30th October 2025. The Open University currently does not have a Deputy Vice Chancellor
Faculties The university consists of six faculties and one postgraduate institute and several divisions. The six faculties are: Faculty of Education Faculty of Engineering Technology Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty of Natural Sciences Faculty of Health Sciences Faculty of Management Studies Postgraduate Institute of English (PGIE)- This Post Graduate Institute offers two master's degree programs; Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) and Master of Arts in Teaching Literature in a Second Language context (TLSC)
Faculty of Education Faculty Dean = Dr. (Mrs.) D.V.M. De Silva.
The Faculty of Education was established in 2003 and currently consists of three departments.The Open University of Sri Lanka Homepage Retrieved on 23 November 2009 These three departments are:
1. Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education 2. Department of Secondary & Tertiary Education 3. Department of Special Needs Education 4. C-DELTA Programme
Faculty of Engineering Technology Faculty Dean, Dr. L.S.K. Udugama
The Faculty of Engineering Technology of OUSL offers Bachelor of Science Honours in Engineering[BSc(Hons)Eng ], Bachelor of Industrial Studies (BIS), and Bachelor of Software Engineering Honours [BS.Eng(Hons)]. Bachelor of Science Honours in Engineering degree offered by the Faculty of Engineering Technology is highly recognized by professional Engineering Institutions (IESL); both local and overseas to work as qualified Graduate Engineers. It is also the pioneer of introducing Mechatronics Engineering to Sri Lankan engineering education curricula and would be proud of producing the first graduate engineers in Mechatronics engineering in 2010 in Sri Lanka. The faculty consists of six departments. These six departments are:
1. Department of Agricultural and Plantation Engineering 2. Department of Civil Engineering 3. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering 4. Department of Mechanical Engineering 5. Department of Mathematics and Philosophy of Engineering 6. Department of Textile and Apparel Technology
Faculty also offers two Master of Technology programs in Industrial Engineering and Construction Management; each conducted by Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering departments respectively.
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty Dean = Prof. Anton Piyarathne
The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) is the largest faculty of the OUSL.The Open University of Sri Lanka Homepage Retrieved on 23 November 2009 The Faculty consists of the four following departments:
1. Department of English and Language Studies 2. Department of Law 3. Department of Social Studies 4. Department of English Language Teaching
Faculty of Natural Sciences Faculty Dean = Professor V.P.S. Perera
The Faculty of Natural Sciences was established in 1987The Open University of Sri Lanka Homepage Retrieved on 23 November 2009 and consists of the six following departments:
1. Department of Botany 2. Department of Chemistry 3. Department of Computer Science 4. Department of Mathematics 5. Department of Physics 6. Department of Zoology
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty Dean – Dr. B. Sunil S. De Silva.
The Faculty of health Sciences established in August 2015 . It consists of six academic departments.
1. Department of Basic Sciences 2. Department of Health Education and Research 3. Department of Pharmacy 4. Department of Nursing 5. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences 6. Department of Psychology and Counselling
Faculty of Management Studies
Faculty Dean – Prof. Nalin Abeysekera.
The Faculty of Faculty of Management Studies established in May 2019 is the youngest faculty of the university. It consists of four academic departments.
1. Department of Organizational Studies 2. Department of Accounting and Finance 3. Department of Human Resource Management 4. Department of Marketing Management
Bachelors degree programmes
3 year General Degrees (level 05);
Bachelor of Science. BA in Social sciences. BA in youth and community development. Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.
4 year Honours degrees (Level 06);
Bachelors of science Honours in Physics Bachelors of science Honours in Chemistry Bachelors of science Honours in Zoology Bachelors of science Honours in Botany Bachelors of science Honours in Mathematics Bachelor of Science Honours in Engineering specialization of Civil Engineering Bachelor of Science Honours in Engineering specialization of Mechanical Engineering Bachelor of Science Honours in Engineering specialization of Mechatronics Engineering Bachelor of Science Honours in Engineering specialization of Computer Engineering Bachelor of Science Honours in Engineering specialization of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Bachelor of Science Honours in Engineering specialization of Agricultural Engineering