International schools in Sri Lanka are registered as companies, not licensed by the Ministry of Education. A 1961 Act bars private schools for ages 5 to 14. Many run Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel (“London”) qualifications. London A Levels sat in Sri Lanka generally cannot use the UGC’s foreign-qualifications route to state universities.
How are international schools regulated in Sri Lanka?
Largely as businesses, pending a legal framework. The National Audit Office’s performance audit explains why. Under “section 25 of the Assisted Schools and Training Colleges (Supplementary Provisions) Act No. 08 of 1961”, the private sector “could not start schools for providing education to the children with compulsory school aging limits (5-14 years)”. So international schools “are operated as education institutes, being registered as a company under the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007 or registered under the Department of Provincial Business Names Registration” (National Audit Office).
The audit adds that “any prior approval whatsoever is not obtained from the Ministry of Education” and that “such schools are not monitored under the Ministry of Education”.
| Point | Position |
|---|---|
| Legal barrier | 1961 Act, section 25: no new private schools for ages 5–14 |
| How schools register | Companies Act No. 07 of 2007, or provincial business names registration |
| Ministry of Education approval | Not required at registration, according to the audit |
| Cabinet position (9 May 2018) | Registration under the Companies Act resumed “until such time that a formal legal framework is formulated” |
| Number of schools | 391, in the ministry’s 2015 survey (latest official count found) |
What did the 2018 Cabinet decision say?
That registration could continue while a framework was drafted. On 9 May 2018, “the Cabinet granted approval to resume the registration of international schools under the Companies Act, on the recommendations of the Ministry of Education until such time that a formal legal framework is formulated” (Cabinet Office). It also set up a sub-committee to recommend rules on registration, accreditation, regulation, quality assurance and teacher standards. The sub-committee was also asked about compulsory Sinhala, Tamil, Religion and History for Sri Lankan students in international schools.
We found no international-schools law or regulation from 2024 to 2026. The framework the Cabinet anticipated in 2018 remains pending. Leaders should expect rules on national subjects for Sri Lankan students if a framework is adopted, and plan timetable flexibility now.
Can local A Level students enter state universities?
Not through the foreign-qualifications scheme, in most cases. The University Grants Commission’s scheme is for “candidates with results at a foreign examination held outside Sri Lanka, deemed equivalent to G.C.E. (Advanced Level)”. Sri Lankan candidates must “have studied abroad for a period of not less than three academic years immediately prior to sitting the qualifying examination” (UGC handbook 2024/2025).
| UGC foreign-qualifications scheme (2024/2025) | Rule |
|---|---|
| Eligible exams | Foreign exams “held outside Sri Lanka” |
| Sri Lankan applicants | Three academic years abroad immediately before the exam |
| Places reserved | ”Up to 0.5 % of the total number of places available in each course of study” |
| Additional places | ”Up to 4.5 % of the places over and above the proposed intake”, fee-levying |
| Processing fee | US$100 |
A student who sits London A Levels at a school in Colombo does not meet the “held outside Sri Lanka” condition. For state universities, their route is the national G.C.E. (Advanced Level) exam. Otherwise, students progress to non-state higher education institutions, transnational programmes or universities abroad. School counselling should make this clear before students choose between London and local A Levels.
How big is the Cambridge community in Sri Lanka?
Over 13,000 Cambridge entries in June 2026. Lanka Business News reported that “schools in Sri Lanka made over 13,000 entries for Cambridge exams in the June 2026 series” (LBN). Zahara Ansary, Cambridge’s Country Head for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, said “what stands out is the breadth of subjects students are choosing”. Pearson Edexcel publishes no Sri Lanka figures. The British Council in Sri Lanka publishes guidance on school exam results, including A Level.
What should Sri Lankan international school leaders plan?
- Keep corporate registration and governance clean. It is the school’s legal basis until a framework exists.
- Prepare for national subjects. Sinhala, Tamil, Religion and History were named in 2018. Plan how they would fit the timetable.
- Counsel families on university routes before Year 11: state universities through the national A/L, or private and overseas pathways with London A Levels.
- Publish quality evidence. Without ministry monitoring, families rely on results, accreditation and inspection by bodies the school chooses. See choosing an accreditation route.
- Plan board calendars. Cambridge runs June and November; Pearson IAL runs January, June and October. See Cambridge vs Edexcel IAL.
How schools do this with AI Buddy
Sri Lankan schools often run Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel side by side. AI Buddy covers both boards at IGCSE and A Level, with past-paper-style questions marked instantly. Leaders get one view of attainment across both, which also serves as evidence of quality for families when there is no ministry inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Who regulates international schools in Sri Lanka?
No education authority licenses them. They are registered as companies or businesses, and the audit office found they are not monitored by the Ministry of Education. A formal legal framework has been pending since 2018.
Can students with London A Levels enter Sri Lankan state universities?
Generally not through the UGC’s foreign-qualifications scheme, which covers exams held outside Sri Lanka, with three years’ study abroad for Sri Lankan applicants. The state university route is the national G.C.E. (Advanced Level).
How many international schools are there in Sri Lanka?
The Ministry of Education’s 2015 survey counted 391, the latest official figure found.
How many Cambridge entries does Sri Lanka have?
Over 13,000 in the June 2026 series.
For more countries, see Cambridge & Edexcel Schools by Country.
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Sources
- National Audit Office, Regulatory process on non-governmental schools, performance audit PER/A/NGS/2020/06
- Cabinet Office of Sri Lanka, Cabinet decisions, 9 May 2018: regulating the registration of international schools
- University Grants Commission, Admission of students with foreign qualifications, academic year 2024/2025
- Lanka Business News, Cambridge June 2026 results highlight Sri Lankan learners’ focus on university and career aspirations (August 2026)
- British Council Sri Lanka, Getting your school exam results