University of Peradeniya
The University of Peradeniya (Sinhala: පේරාදෙණිය විශ්වවිද්යාලය, Tamil: பேராதனைப் பல்கலைக்கழகம்) is a public university in Sri Lanka, funded by the University Grants Commission. It is the largest university in Sri Lanka, which was originally established as the University of Ceylon in 1942. The university was officially opened on 20 April 1954, in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II, by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
පේරාදෙණිය විශ්වවිද්යාලය பேராதனைப் பல்கலைக்கழகம் | |
University of Peradeniya Crest | |
| Motto | Sarvasva Locanam Sasthram (Sanskrit) |
|---|---|
Motto in English | Knowledge is the Eye Unto All |
| Type | Public research university |
| Established | 1942 University of Ceylon 1972 University of Sri Lanka, Peradeniya Campus 1978 University of Peradeniya |
| Accreditation | University Grants Commission |
Academic affiliations | Association of Commonwealth Universities |
| Endowment | LKR 2.265 billion ≈ US$ 6.3 million |
| Chancellor | GH. Peiris |
| Vice-Chancellor | MD. Lamawansa |
Academic staff | 731 |
Administrative staff | 2,973 |
| Students | 11,065 [a] |
| Undergraduates | 9,605 [b] |
| Postgraduates | 1,440 [c] |
| Location | , Sri Lanka |
| Campus | Suburban, 700 ha (1,700 acres) |
| Publication(s) | Ceylon Journal of Science Sri Lanka Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Colours | Gold & maroon |
| Website | pdn.ac.lk |
The University of Peradeniya hosts nine faculties, four postgraduate institutes (including the newly added Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences), 20 centres and units, 73 departments, and teaches about 12,000 students in the fields of Medicine, Agriculture, Arts, Science, Engineering, Dental Sciences, Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Management, and Allied Health Science. It claims to have the largest government endowment by a higher education institution in Sri Lanka, based on its large staff and faculties/departments.