old is gold

The University of Peradeniya has a rich history that dates back seventy years. It traces its roots to the establishment of the University of Ceylon, the first university in Ceylon, on July 1, 1942. Initially located in Colombo, the University of Ceylon was later moved to the present site at Peradeniya, which boasts of great natural beauty, on October 6, 1952. As a result, the University of Peradeniya is the heir to a longstanding university tradition that began with the inception of the University of Ceylon. 

Sir Ivor Jennings, the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ceylon, visited the campus site in 1944 and was impressed by the site plan created by architect Sir Patrick Abercrombie. He wrote that “No University in the world would have such a setting”.  

The construction of the University of Peradeniya was delayed due to the shortage of building materials caused by WWII. The site was taken over by the armed services for the duration of the war, and construction only began in 1946. Floods in 1947 caused major changes in the layout plans, and the use of manual labor contributed to slow construction. The university became fully operative in 1952, with the transfer of faculties and the completion of the major move on 6th October 1952 marking the formal establishment of the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya. The ceremonial opening was postponed until 1954, when it was attended by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.