University Grants Commission (Sri Lanka)

University Grants Commission – Sri Lanka
Abbreviation UGC
Formation 22 December 1979
Purpose planning and co-ordination of university education, allocation of funds to Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), maintenance of academic standards, regulation of the administration of HEIs and regulation of admission of students to HEIs.
Headquarters Colombo
Location
Official language
Sinhala, Tamil, English
Chairman
Senior Professor Sampath Amaratunge
Main organ
Commission Members
Affiliations Government of Sri Lanka
Staff
Over 200
Website https://www.ugc.ac.lk/

University Grants Commission is the body responsible for funding most of the State Universities in Sri Lanka, and operates within the frame work of the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978. A public organisation, established under the Parliament Act No 16 of 1978. Location is at No 20, Ward Place Colombo 07.

It distributes public money, allocated by the Government for teaching and research to universities and university affiliated institutes, as such controls much influence and appointments at state universities.

Functions

The official functions of the UGC are;

  • Allocation of funds to Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) that come under it
  • Planning and co-ordination of university education
  • Maintenance of academic standards
  • Regulation of the administration of HEIs
  • Regulation of student admissions to HEIs

The Commission members

The Universities Act provides for seven members of the Commission appointed by the President. These are:

  • Senior Prof. Sampath Amaratunge – Chairman
  • Senior Prof. Janitha A Liyanage – Vice-Chairperson
  • Rev. Prof. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkitha Thero – Commission Member
  • Senior Prof. A K W Jayawardane – Commission Member
  • Senior Prof. (Ms.) Vasanthy Arasaratnam – Commission Member
  • Prof. Premakumara de Silva – Commission Member
  • Mr. Palitha Kumarasinghe – Commission Member

The following attend the meetings of the Commission but are not members and do not vote:

  • Mr. R H W A Kumarasiri – Treasury Representative who advises the Commission on funds
  • Dr. Priyantha Premakumara – Secretary to the Commission

Higher Educational Institutions controlled by the UGC

See also