University of Peradeniya, heir to the University of Ceylon, established in 1942, has developed in all aspects. It is the largest University in terms of student intake, academic and staff strength, facilities and resources. The University of Peradeniya has now been considered as the most comprehensive, undergraduate and postgraduate University within the Sri Lankan higher education system.
The University of Peradeniya comprises of 8 Faculties with 72 Departments and with its Faculties of well over 1100 academics and over 2000 support staff.

The University caters to approximately 10,000 undergraduates through internal programmes per annum. Its academic programmes cover major disciplines ranging from Arts, Commerce, Management, Law, Physical and Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Food Science and Technology, Animal Science and Fisheries, Dentistry, Medicine, Allied Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science.

Besides, catering for internal students, the University also offers degree programmes through the external mode. The Centre for Distance and Continuing Education, formerly the External Examinations Division, of the University has enrolled about 25000 candidates for external degrees. In addition to undergraduate degree courses, the 8 Faculties and two Postgraduate Institutes (Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture and Postgraduate Institute of Science) provide postgraduate training for about 1500 students annually.

Further, the University of Peradeniya has established 15 Centres/ Units to perform specific training and service functions and most of these Centre/Units, depending on their scope, design and offer diploma and certificate level courses and varying technical and professional services. Spread across 700 hectares of land and set in a breathtakingly beautiful location, the University of Peradeniya offers an experience unparalleled among Universities in Sri Lanka—be it residential life, sports or culture. Twenty halls of residence, a health centre, places of worship along with activities ranging from sports to culture with a large number of societies catering to the interests of the different cross sections of the University makes Peradeniya the most attractive University in the country among students as well as aspirants to the University staff.The University community participates in a wide range of activities in the areas of welfare, culture and religion. These activities comprise an important component of University life. While many of these activities are organized by student associations there are also others that have wider participation and are arranged by the academic staff and other members of the University community.The University provides a peaceful physical environment for both students and staff to engage in productive academic and research activities.

In view of all this, our endeavour should be to make this University a centre of excellence providing the necessary leadership in contribution towards the improvement and development of our country’s Education, Health Agriculture and all other relevant fields.