University of Moratuwa crestCSE logoComputer Science & EngineeringUniversity of Moratuwa
About us

A pioneer in ICT education in Sri Lanka since 1985

The CSE Department offers a BSc Engineering Honours Degree specialized in Computer Science and Engineering as its flagship academic course.

Our programmesMeet our staff
  • 1985Department established
  • 16 → 200Students per batch, first batch to today
  • 4Study streams

Who we are

The intake of this program has grown steadily from 16 students in the inaugural batch to 200 per batch, currently with four study streams. The CSE Department currently has about 600 students total in the three batches following a four-year honours program leading to the BSc in Engineering degree.

The strong collaboration with the IT industry along with the soft skills and leadership skills developed during the degree program make the graduates of the degree program highly sought after by the industry. It is evidenced by the fact that typically more than 90% of students of a graduating batch receive offers of employment before graduation, and 100% receive offers of employment at graduation.

Our mission

To serve society through excellence in education, research and service.

We provide for our students an education in computer science and computer engineering and we attempt to instil in them the attitudes and values that will prepare them for a lifetime of continued learning and leadership. Through research the Department strives to generate new knowledge and technology for the benefit of everyone.

Our vision

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering will be the most exciting place in the country and the Asian region to perform high impact research and to learn about the latest developments in the rapidly developing field of computer science and engineering.

We will become the best CSE Department by the end of this decade, as measured by:

  • The excellent preparation of our graduates for leadership in the profession
  • The quality and impact of our research
  • The exceptional value of our service to the Nation

Our history

  1. Early 1970s

    Teaching of computing at the University of Moratuwa began in the early 1970s with the teaching of FORTRAN to engineering undergraduates. At this time no computer was available at the University of Moratuwa, but with the kind permission of the State Engineering Corporation (SEC), students were allowed access to the ICL 1903 computer at the SEC.

  2. 1973

    Computing resources of the University of Moratuwa date back to 1973, when the University obtained an IBM 1130 batch processing computer system as part of an ongoing project carried out by UNESCO. This computer was installed and managed under the direction of Prof. S Karunaratne, Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering.

  3. 1983

    This was used by the University until 1983, in which year the University acquired more modern interactive computers. In 1983, the then President, His Excellency Mr. J.R Jayawardene, realizing the advantages of Information Technology for national socio-economic development, took steps to formulate a National Computer Policy. The policy study was undertaken by two prominent Sri Lankans, Dr. R.P Jayawardene, the then Director-General of NARESA and Dr. Mohan Munasinghe, later Chairman of CINTEC, with the cooperation of academics and professionals.

  4. 1985

    The Department of Computer Science and Engineering is established, with 16 students in its first batch.

  5. 2006

    Intake of the department increased to 100

  6. 2013

    Intake of the department increased to 128

  7. 2022

    Intake of the department increased to 200

Leadership through the years