Sri Lanka to open private universities from next April

Sri Lanka's Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake says that the first private university in the country will be opened by April next year.

Dissanayake has told the local media today that it would be the first private university to open under the direction of the government.

The government has taken the measure to provide the opportunity for students who do not get the opportunity for higher education in the local universities and seek university education abroad drawing foreign exchange out of the country.

According to Dissanayake, universities from about 26 countries are currently in discussion with the government to explore the option of opening private universities in Sri Lanka.

The Minister has said that 15 countries have so far given positive responses to the government with regard to opening private universities.