The Department of Economics is one of the oldest Departments in the University of Kelaniya. Having been established in 1959, it had the fortune of producing some of the well-known economists in the country. It has contributed effectively in promoting teaching and research within and outside the University. Moreover, its reputation have spread beyond it's ability of teaching Economics and served as a breeding ground for other related disciplines in Social Sciences.

The Department of Economics offers two undergraduate degree programs: the Bachelor of Arts degree program with Economics as a subject and the Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) degree program in Economics. All of the course units of the Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) degree in Economics are offered in both English and Sinhala mediums from the academic year 2017/2018.

Two Master’s degree programs are also offered by the Department of Economics. The Master of Arts (MA) in Economics has been designed to be completed within a year through course work. The other, the Master of Social Science in Economics (MSSc.), is a two-year research-based degree. In addition, our Department also offers M.Phil.and Ph.D. degree programs in Economics for potential candidates.