The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) is the premier Open and Distance learning institution in Sri Lanka where students can pursue their studies through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) methodologies.

Established in 1980, under the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978 and OUSL Ordinance No. 1 of 1990, as amended, the OUSL has the same legal and academic status as any other national University in Sri Lanka.  According to the Public Administration Circular No. 16/92, dated 13.03.92, issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils & Home Affairs, the degrees awarded by The Open University of Sri Lanka are treated as equivalent to degrees awarded by any other University under the purview of the University Grants Commission.

Due to the nature of its teaching methodology and infrastructure, the OUSL is able to serve a large student population spread throughout the country. Currently, there are more than 35,000 students studying at the OUSL, who are being served by eight Regional Centers and eighteen Study Centers located around the country. The Central campus and the Colombo Regional Center are situated at Nawala. The other seven Regional Centers are situated in Kandy, Matara, Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Kurunegala and Batticaloa.

The academic and the administrative Head of the University is the Vice-Chancellor. The Senate of the University, which is chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, is the highest body that makes decisions regarding academic matters. The University has four Faculties: Natural Sciences, Engineering Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences and Education.