Pioneering Computer Science Education in Sri Lanka — The Ruhuna Story, 1986

 A Milestone in Sri Lanka’s Computing History

01 August – 30 September 1986, University of Ruhuna

In 1986, the University of Ruhuna hosted the First Working Party to develop course materials for Computer Science subjects — an ambitious initiative to strengthen computing education across Sri Lankan universities.

At the request of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the first two books in the series were written and published under the Ruhunu–Keele Link Programme, funded by the British Government:

• Software Design and Implementation – A Pascal-Based Course: Lecturer’s Notes

• Software Design and Implementation – A Pascal-Based Course: Student Notes

These pioneering textbooks laid the foundation for structured computer science education in Sri Lanka.

The project was coordinated by the late Prof K Tillekeratne (University of Kelaniya) and Dr R. Zambardino (North Staffordshire Polytechnic, UK), with contributions from:

• S Turrance Nandasara – University of Colombo

• Miss M C Balthazar – University of Kelaniya

• Miss S P S P Wickremasuriya – University of Kelaniya

• Mr. R.K.S. Perera – Open University of Sri Lanka

• Mr M P A Wijesiri – University of Ruhuna

30 September 1986 — a moment of recognition. Prof Stanley Kalpage, Chairman of the UGC and Secretary, Ministry of Education, presents the Appreciation Letter to me, acknowledging the pioneering work that helped introduce structured computer science education to Sri Lankan universities.

At the University Grants Commission, 1986.
A gathering of the pioneers who shaped Sri Lanka’s first computer science course materials: Late Prof K Tillekeratne, Dr R Zambardino, Prof Stanley Kalpage, Miss M C Balthazar, Turrance Nandasara, Miss S P S P Wickremasuriya, Mr R K S Perera, and Mr M P A Wijesiri.

The first milestone — Lecturer’s Notes.
Cover of Software Design and Implementation – A Pascal-Based Course: Lecturer’s Notes (1986), the first structured computer science teaching material for Sri Lankan universities.

The companion volume — Student Notes.
Cover of Software Design and Implementation – A Pascal-Based Course: Student Notes (1986). Together with the Lecturer’s Notes, this book empowered a new generation of students to step into the world of computer science.

The newly built University of Ruhuna building, 1986.
In the picture: Turrance Nandasara (University of Colombo), R K S Perera (Open University of Sri Lanka), and M P A Wijesiri (University of Ruhuna).

“What began in 1986 as a collaborative effort to write the first computer science textbooks for Sri Lankan universities has grown into a lifelong journey of building knowledge, preserving history, and inspiring future generations.”

Photographs captured by Turrance Nandasara (1986), Camera: Olympus OM-10 Camera