Reputed international universities allowed to open their branches in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Ministry of Higher Education says that the reputed international universities will be granted permission to open their branches in Sri Lanka.

Chairman of the University Grant Commission Prof. Gamini Samaranayake says the aim of this move is to broaden Sri Lankan students' opportunities for higher education.

He highlighted that while over 40,000 students qualify for university education annually mere 22,000 are taken into the local universities.

About 10,000 students leave the country for foreign universities annually and the Ministry is of the view that opening up branches of foreign universities in the island will benefit the students with easy access to foreign universities.

The Ministry also anticipates that Sri Lanka branches of international universities will attract foreign students as well into the island for higher education.

Limited space and facilities in Sri Lankan universities severely limit the opportunities for students to pursue higher studies at local publicly funded universities and students who can afford go to overseas universities taking the country's money with them.