Sri Lanka boasts one of the most successful public education systems in the developing world, underpinned by a policy of free education from kindergarten through university, introduced by C.W.W. Kannangara in the 1940s.
* **Adult Literacy Rate:** Approximately 92.3% (one of the highest in South Asia). * **Youth Literacy Rate:** Over 98%. * **Structure:** Primary (Grades 1-5), Junior Secondary (Grades 6-9), Senior Secondary (O-Levels, Grades 10-11), and Collegiate (A-Levels, Grades 12-13). * **Higher Education:** The University of Colombo, University of Peradeniya, and University of Moratuwa are among the most prestigious state universities. Entry into state universities is highly competitive based on A-Level results. * **Private Education:** There is a growing sector of private international schools and institutes offering foreign degree programs.