About the Institute
The Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo was established in December 2016 through a partnership among Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and Honghe University, China, and the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Located in Colombo—the country’s political, economic, and cultural center—the Institute operates five teaching sites across the city, more than any other Confucius Institute in Sri Lanka.
Programs and Activities
Chinese Language Teaching & Proficiency Tests
The Institute offers credit-bearing undergraduate Chinese language courses, as well as Chinese programs for primary and secondary school students at its teaching sites. Working alongside local government and business partners, it also delivers a range of profession-oriented “Chinese+” courses, including Chinese for Police Work, Chinese for Tourism, and Chinese for the Automotive Industry.
From its official launch in May 2017 through March 2026, the Institute has enrolled approximately 9,000 students. It serves as an authorized HSK examination center, holding regular HSK and HSKK sessions throughout the year; total candidates in 2025 numbered over 300.
Faculty Development & Academic Research
The Institute places a strong emphasis on academic scholarship. Its journal, Colombo Chinese Studies Journal (《科伦坡中国研究》), founded in 2020, is Sri Lanka’s only academic journal dedicated to Chinese language and culture, published annually. Chinese and Sri Lankan faculty members participate each year in international academic conferences, teaching seminars, and in-service training programs.
Cultural Programs
The Institute holds approximately 10 cultural events annually, centered on Chinese traditional festivals and cultural showcases. Regular programs include Chinese New Year celebrations, the “Chinese Bridge” Chinese proficiency competition, cultural lectures, photography exhibitions, and food festivals.
Signature Initiatives
“Chinese+” Vocational Programs—In partnership with the Sri Lanka National Police Academy and John Keells Holdings, the Institute has developed specialized curricula integrating Chinese language with professional fields, most notably Chinese for Police Work. These programs model a practical, career-oriented approach to language education and have been extended to additional sectors including the automotive industry.
Colombo Chinese Studies Journal—As Sri Lanka’s sole academic publication devoted to Chinese language and culture research, this annual journal serves as a scholarly platform for Sino-Sri Lankan cultural exchange and has helped anchor the Institute’s role in the country’s academic community.
Looking Ahead
The Institute will continue to deepen Chinese language education reform, with a key focus on advancing the University of Colombo’s Chinese language program toward full honors degree status. It will expand collaboration with local universities and enterprises, broaden vocational Chinese offerings, and strengthen the foundations for Sino-Sri Lankan cultural exchange.
Contact
Email: info@ciuc.cmb.ac.lk
Website: https://ciuc.cmb.ac.lk
Phone: +94 11 259 9869
Address: Confucius Institute, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo, P.O. Box 1490, Cumaratunga Munidasa Mawatha, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka
