The faculty of social sciences, in terms of student population, is the largest faculty in the University of Kelaniya. Although it was instituted in the academic year 1981/82, its constituted of the University, itself.

At the beginning, the Vidyalankara University, the predecessor of the University of Kelaniya, consisted of several faculties of which the faculty of Arts was divided into two namely, the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Humanities. Owing mainly to their common origin, these two faculties still maintain a close relationship.

The academic staff of the departments represents a fine blend of academicians and professionals. While the traditional disciplines of History, Archeology, Geography, Philosophy, Economics and Sociology strengthen the academic content of the faculty, the new departments like Mass Communication, Library & Information Science and Sport Science & Physical Education have opened their doors to professionals. The Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Kelaniya was the first to house department of Mass Communication and department of Sport Science & Physical Education in a university in Sri Lanka.