[3] UoC has produced notable alumni in the fields of science, law, economics, business, literature, and politics.

The university occupies an estate of 50 acres (200,000 m2) in the heart of the city of Colombo known as Cinnamon Gardens.

The College House, the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) and the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IBMBB) are located along Kumarathunga Munidasa Mawatha (formally Thurstan Road) between Queens Road and the India House.

Situated between the Thurstan Road and Reed Avenue is the iconic Old Royal College Building, King George Hall, New Arts Theatre, sports ground along with the buildings of the science faculty and the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC).

On the other side of Reed Avenue is the university library flanked by the arts and law faculty buildings along with the gymnasium.

The estate includes several properties outside Cinnamon Gardens, such as the Faculty of Medicine which is located at Kynsey Road opposite the Colombo General Hospital in close proximity to the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine located at Norris Canal Road.

In addition, there are several properties outside Colombo, including the Sri Palee Campus in Wewala, Horana and the Institute of Agro Technology and Rural Science in Hambantota.

The origins of the University of Colombo lie in the establishment of the Ceylon Medical School in June 1870.

In 1889, the college was recognised by the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom when holders of its license became eligible to practice in Great Britain.

[4][5] Owing to the persistent demands of the CUA the government decided in 1913 to set up a University college.

Arguments regarding the nature and status of the institution to be set up, its location, and the outset of World War I halted the establishment process until 1920 when the government purchased a private mansion called the Regina Walawwa which later came to be known as College House for the purpose of setting up the University College under the recommendations of Sir Edward Denham.

Later in 1952, the faculties of Arts and Oriental Studies were moved to Peradeniya too along with sections of the university administration and library.

The announcement of the creation of a separate university in Colombo was made in Parliament in the Throne Speech of 1967.

The new institution, which came into existence on 1 October 1967 with the Colombo Campus as its nucleus, had a student population of nearly 5000 reading for degrees in arts, law, the sciences and medicine, and a teaching staff of nearly 300.

[8] This Act brought back some of the central features of the Ceylon University Ordinance of 1942 such as the Senates, the Councils, and Courts.

In 1978 the University of Colombo had Faculties of Medicine, Arts, Science, Education and Law.

The Chancellor is the head of the university and awards all degrees, although most duties are carried out by the Vice-Chancellor.

The appointment is made by the President of Sri Lanka, to a distinguished person in academics, clergy or in the civil society.

[9] Professor Karunaratne earned his PhD in Economics from the Graduate School of International Development (GSID) of Nagoya University, Japan in 2000.

On the international front, he is a recipient of the Japanese Government Postgraduate Research (Monbusho) Scholarship for Seven Years (1993-2000).

The Rector is head of the Sri Palee Campus, thus undertakes its management, appointed by the Vice-Chancellor.

The Rector of the Sri Palee Campus is Dr Prathibha Mahanamahewa The University of Colombo has seven faculties of study.

IUUC facilitates staff exchanges, distance learning, dual degree programs, joint conferences, seminars, workshops and academic networking.

Since its inception, the University of Colombo has maintained residential facilities for its undergraduate students.

The Amalgamated Club includes 29 Captains and Vice-Captains of the major sports played by the UoC at an inter-university level.

The Amalgamated club's strong movement to the university sports can be seen from 2006, under the president Sachitra Samarasinghe.