Our Alma Mater University of Peradeniya is the oldest university of Sri Lanka and is presently registered under the University grants commission of Sri Lanka. It is one of the most beautiful universities of the Asia and is renowned all over the world.

It is located in the central province in a site of great natural beauty, in Peradeniya about 6km from the historical city of Kandy close proximity to Royal botanical gardens. It is the largest university in the island in terms of area, the premises covering about 7 square kilometers. It is known for its natural beauty and romantic landscape. The Mahaweli River flows across the campus in a northerly direction. The site also touches the lower slopes of the Hantana range which results in a mild climate, with the temperature usually fluctuating between 18 and 30 degrees Celsius. It is the country's only residential university and offers a wide variety of facilities and resources. The university consists of eight academic faculties. More than 1800 undergraduates enter the university annually, to make up an undergraduate student population of 6600, and the total number of

postgraduate students registered is over 1200. Out of the total undergraduate student population, about 5100 are provided accommodation on and around campus. The University celebrated its 60th anniversary last year.

The University of Peradeniya is the heir to former University of Ceylon, the first institution of its kind in the country. It was founded on 1st of July, 1942 as an autonomous corporation as a fulfillment of hopes and expectations of many who had been campaigning for a university in this country. The University of Ceylon was established in Colombo on 1 July 1942 and on 6 October 1952 a new campuses in Peradeniya was created. In 1967, it was made a separate university with the name “University of Ceylon - Peradeniya" and it became the independent "University of Peradeniya" in 1979. Today, the university stands as a prominent educational institution in the country, catering to the needs of students from a variety of academic streams, ethnic groups and religions.

However, the history of the establishment of the University of Ceylon goes much beyond 1942. A few distinguished academics, administrators, politicians and public-spirited citizens of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), as well as some other eminent foreign academics and administrators with a genuine interest in the advancement of higher education in this country, had had to strive hard for well over half a century, to achieve the cherished goal of establishing the first university in the country. Therefore, the history of the University of Peradeniya would be incomplete if no mention is made of the pioneering efforts of the abovementioned persons in establishing this seat of higher learning.
It offers degrees in various disciplines including medicine, para medicine, dental sciences,   Agriculture, Veterinary science, Science engineering and arts which covers a wide range of areas of study. It is well equipped with a highly qualified academic staff under the vice chancellor who has been working for the best of the institution.

Peradeniya University is the only residential university in the country paving way to a wide range of community activities to complement the academic activities. Although being just 2 minutes from the Peradeniya town and 30 minutes from the Kandy city, most facilities are available within the campus itself, thus giving an impression, that Peradeniya University is a small township in itself.

Fifteen halls of residence, a health center, places of workship 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 to be the most attractive university in the country among students as well as aspirants to the university and the 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 the university life. While many of these activities are organized by student associations there are also others that have wider participation and arranged by the academic staff and other members of the university community. The activities organized by student societies are generally administered by the Student Services Branch of the University.