Education in Sri Lanka has a long history which dates back two millennia and the Constitution of Sri Lanka provide for education as a fundamental right. The Sri Lanka's population has a literacy rate of 92%, higher than that expected for a third world country; it has the highest literacy rate in South Asia and overall, one of the highest literacy rates in Asia. Education plays a major part in the life and culture of the country and dates back to 543 BC. Modern education system was brought about with the integration of Sri Lanka in to the British Empire in the 19th century and it falls under the control of both the Central Government and the Provincial Councils, with some responsibilities lying with the Central Government and the Provincial Council having autonomy for others
| Ministry of Education Ministry of Higher Education | |
|---|---|
| National education budget (2007) | |
| Budget | Rs. (5.4% of GDP)[citation needed] |
| General details | |
| Primary languages | Sinhala, Tamil and English |
| System type | Provincial |
| Literacy (2003) | |
| Total | 97.3 |
| Male | 95.8 |
| Female | 93.0 |
| Enrollment | |
| Total | - |
| Secondary | 200,000 |
| Post secondary | 14,000 (10-12% |
