In terms of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka Act No. 74 of 1981, which was amended by the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka Act No. 37 of 1995, this University has been established on 22 April 1982 with its headquarters at No. 214, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07 and its Academic Campus at Pitipana North, Homagama.  At present, it functions under the Higher Education Unit of the Ministry of Education.

 The Venerable Dr. Thumbulle Sri Seelakkhandha Nayaka Thero, functioning as the Venerable Vice Chancellor of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka continuously during the course of six years from 20 September 1999 to 21 September 2005, did yeoman service for the development of the material and human resources of this University with great enthusiasm and fervour.  His ability to conduct the academic and administrative activities of this University in an orderly manner, obtain an allocation of Rs. 365 million from the State and to accelerate the development of the infrastructure facilities which were essential for the progress of the University, is a source of happiness for all of us.

 A plot of land, five acres in extent was acquired from the holdings of the Department of Agriculture located at Pitipana, Homagama, and on these premises five two-storied lecture theatres, three halls of residence for students as well as a cafeteria were constructed.  These were ceremoniously declared open on 20 January 2005 by Her Excellency Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.  On the same day foundation ceremonial tablets were laid by Her Excellency for the Faculty of Administration Building, the new Library building and the Auditorium located on  the newly acquired land, and for the main Administrative Complex of the University sited on a plot of land near the Pitipana Junction close to the High Level Road, signaling the commencement of construction work.  Thus, the action taken to promote a large number of infrastructure facilities so essential to the University was greatly conducive to its future growth.  I mention with pleasure that owing to these actions, it has been possible to increase the annual intake of students, lay and ordained to 110.

  In order to inculcate mental discipline among all students, lay and ordained, who are admitted to the University, a study programme of Buddhist Doctrines was started, and a programme of meditation has been introduced through it in the year 2005.  It is a popular programme which has won the approbation of all students.  It is sufficient to note that the Faculty Board, the Senate and the Council have considered the value and utility of this practical meditation training and have unanimously granted approval to render it compulsory at the end of the first year of study for all admitted students.

 On a special request made by Her Excellency the former President, a two-year Foreign Missionary Programme in the English medium has been inaugurated and maintained.  It is aimed at the fruition of the objectives of the establishment of the University.  In the year 2005, twenty monks studied this programme.  Action has been taken to train the academic and the non-academic staff of the University, while a large number of facilities have been provided for the welfare of both the students and the staff under the Vice Chancellor's Fund.  A five-year plan to be activated from the year 2005 has been designed.  Arrangements are made to introduce an academic research paper monthly by each lecturer, and to publish them in the Annual Academic Journal' Buddhist and Pali Studies'.  In the year 2005, Certificate Study Programmes in Computer Usage and Korean Language have been introduced for the internal students.

 The Academic Staff is engaged in visiting the ancient ruined Buddhist sacred sites and producing investigative research papers on them under the guidance of Senior Professor M.W. Wimal Wijeratne who was on sabbatical leave from the University of Sri Jayewardenapura and since then attached to this University.  The Pali book of verses "Telakataha Gatha", which reminds us of the Tsunamis of the past, will be edited and released in April 2007 when the University completes its 25 years of existence.  It is envisaged that in the future a significant role will played by this University in the dissemination of Buddhism here and abroad.

                                                                                    Ven. Prof.  Wegama Piyarathana Thero

                                                                                    Vice Chancellor