The University of Ceylon was established in 1942 as the first university in Sri Lanka. It was formed by merging several colleges, including the Ceylon Medical College and the Ceylon University College. The university aimed to provide higher education and promote research in various fields. In 1972, the University of Ceylon was restructured into several independent universities, including the University of Colombo and the University of Peradeniya. Today, it is recognized for its contributions to education and research in Sri Lanka, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs.