Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2016-06-14

Development of Infrastructure Facilities at the Universities of Peradeniya, Kelaniya, Colombo, Jaffna, Rajarata, Visual & Performing Arts, Eastern and the Institute of Agro-Technology and Rural Sciences of the University of Colombo

- The Government has given a high priority to develop the available space and infrastructure of the State universities, to fulfill the requirements of the present students and also of the future students who expect to follow the Technology Degrees and other Degree Courses. By the end of the year 2016, it is expected to enroll 1825 students to follow the Technology Degree Courses while the University Grants Commission has taken steps to enroll students at an average annual growth rate of 5 % from the year 2017 onwards. Instructions have already been issued to commence these Degree Courses in future in other Universities as well. Accordingly, with a view to producing competent graduates to cater to the international job market and the existing development needs in the economy, the proposal made by Hon. Lakshman Kiriella, the Minister of Higher Education and Highways, to improve the infrastructure facilities such as faculty buildings, computer units, libraries and research buildings in 08 universities, at an estimated cost of Rs.484 million in the year 2016, Rs.3,381 million and Rs.1,074 million in the year 2017 and 2018 respectively, was approved by the Cabinet.