Chancellor

The Chancellor at SLIIT provides leadership in governance, strategic direction, and institutional growth, representing SLIIT in key engagements, leads the board and ensuring excellence

Professor Lakshman Ratnayake is the Chancellor and Chairman of SLIIT and a highly respected leader in Sri Lanka’s higher education sector. With over 45 years of experience, he has played a catalytic role in shaping engineering education and higher learning in the country.

His academic career spans across senior roles in private, state, and international universities. Before assuming duties as Chancellor, he served as Chairman and Senior Professor of Civil Engineering at SLIIT. Professor Ratnayake held several key positions at the University of Moratuwa, ultimately serving as Dean, Faculty of Engineering.

Internationally, he has held professorial appointments at the Universities of Calgary, Canada, and Utah State, USA. In recognition of his outstanding academic contributions, the University of Moratuwa conferred on him the title of Emeritus Professor in 2014.

Beyond academia, Professor Ratnayake has made visionary contributions to national policy and professional bodies. He served as Vice Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and was President of the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL.) He also held the presidency of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT.)

Further demonstrating his commitment to higher education reform, he led two World Bank–funded higher education projects between 2004 and 2014.

Prof. Lakshman Ratnayake

Chancellor | Chairman | Professor

Profile Image
View profile

Message from the Chancellor

Hello,

I warmly welcome you to SLIIT.

For the past 27 years our doors have been open to anyone who shares our commitment to excellence. Since SLIIT's[SG1.1][VP1.2] origin in 1999, our footprint has grown, with campuses and centres in Colombo, Malabe, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, and Jaffna. Students can choose to study IT, Engineering, Business, Architecture, and a variety of Humanities and Sciences.

Yet our vision has remained steadfast. Whether students complete their degrees in Sri Lanka or go abroad through our international pathways, we empower them to make an impact. Our learning experience is carefully designed to encourage growth — guided by industry leaders and top academics, including scientists on the Stanford Elsevier list.

SLIIT is also a training ground for real life. We aim to produce well-rounded individuals who excel in all aspects — not just the lecture hall. Sports, arts, and culture sharpen human skills like collaboration, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation: all vital to navigating global realities.

I’m honoured to share that SLIIT is the only non-state university ranked among the top 3 higher education providers in Sri Lanka on the Times Higher Education rankings for 2026 - an achievement owed to the grit and determination of our faculty and students.

Our impact too has expanded over the years. More than 40,000 alumni who have left our gates are now actively engaged in their chosen careers. Our past students are not only highly employable, but they are also innovators and pioneers, changing the shape of industries across the world. 

Connect with us to explore new possibilities for your future.