{"id":4177,"date":"2025-11-18T00:02:27","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T18:32:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/?page_id=4177"},"modified":"2026-01-06T11:10:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T05:40:55","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"4177\" class=\"elementor elementor-4177\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-601fff51 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"601fff51\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;wave-brush&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 283.5 27.8\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M283.5,9.7c0,0-7.3,4.3-14,4.6c-6.8,0.3-12.6,0-20.9-1.5c-11.3-2-33.1-10.1-44.7-5.7\ts-12.1,4.6-18,7.4c-6.6,3.2-20,9.6-36.6,9.3C131.6,23.5,99.5,7.2,86.3,8c-1.4,0.1-6.6,0.8-10.5,2c-3.8,1.2-9.4,3.8-17,4.7\tc-3.2,0.4-8.3,1.1-14.2,0.9c-1.5-0.1-6.3-0.4-12-1.6c-5.7-1.2-11-3.1-15.8-3.7C6.5,9.2,0,10.8,0,10.8V0h283.5V9.7z M260.8,11.3\tc-0.7-1-2-0.4-4.3-0.4c-2.3,0-6.1-1.2-5.8-1.1c0.3,0.1,3.1,1.5,6,1.9C259.7,12.2,261.4,12.3,260.8,11.3z M242.4,8.6\tc0,0-2.4-0.2-5.6-0.9c-3.2-0.8-10.3-2.8-15.1-3.5c-8.2-1.1-15.8,0-15.1,0.1c0.8,0.1,9.6-0.6,17.6,1.1c3.3,0.7,9.3,2.2,12.4,2.7\tC239.9,8.7,242.4,8.6,242.4,8.6z 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M34.5,12.4c-0.2,0,2.1,0.8,3.3,0.9c1.2,0.1,2,0.1,2-0.2c0-0.3-0.1-0.5-1.6-0.4C36.6,12.8,34.7,12.4,34.5,12.4z M152.2,21.1\tc-0.1,0.1-2.4-0.3-7.5-0.3c-5,0-13.6-2.4-17.2-3.5c-3.6-1.1,10,3.9,16.5,4.1C150.5,21.6,152.3,21,152.2,21.1z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M269.6,18c-0.1-0.1-4.6,0.3-7.2,0c-7.3-0.7-17-3.2-16.6-2.9c0.4,0.3,13.7,3.1,17,3.3\tC267.7,18.8,269.7,18,269.6,18z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M227.4,9.8c-0.2-0.1-4.5-1-9.5-1.2c-5-0.2-12.7,0.6-12.3,0.5c0.3-0.1,5.9-1.8,13.3-1.2\tS227.6,9.9,227.4,9.8z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M204.5,13.4c-0.1-0.1,2-1,3.2-1.1c1.2-0.1,2,0,2,0.3c0,0.3-0.1,0.5-1.6,0.4\tC206.4,12.9,204.6,13.5,204.5,13.4z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M201,10.6c0-0.1-4.4,1.2-6.3,2.2c-1.9,0.9-6.2,3.1-6.1,3.1c0.1,0.1,4.2-1.6,6.3-2.6\tS201,10.7,201,10.6z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M154.5,26.7c-0.1-0.1-4.6,0.3-7.2,0c-7.3-0.7-17-3.2-16.6-2.9c0.4,0.3,13.7,3.1,17,3.3\tC152.6,27.5,154.6,26.8,154.5,26.7z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M41.9,19.3c0,0,1.2-0.3,2.9-0.1c1.7,0.2,5.8,0.9,8.2,0.7c4.2-0.4,7.4-2.7,7-2.6\tc-0.4,0-4.3,2.2-8.6,1.9c-1.8-0.1-5.1-0.5-6.7-0.4S41.9,19.3,41.9,19.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M75.5,12.6c0.2,0.1,2-0.8,4.3-1.1c2.3-0.2,2.1-0.3,2.1-0.5c0-0.1-1.8-0.4-3.4,0\tC76.9,11.5,75.3,12.5,75.5,12.6z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M15.6,13.2c0-0.1,4.3,0,6.7,0.5c2.4,0.5,5,1.9,5,2c0,0.1-2.7-0.8-5.1-1.4\tC19.9,13.7,15.7,13.3,15.6,13.2z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7eb50d8\" data-id=\"7eb50d8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a2272d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-jkit_post_title\" data-id=\"3a2272d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"jkit_post_title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"jeg-elementor-kit jkit-post-title jeg_module___6a118bed78de7\" ><h2 class=\"post-title style-color \">History<\/h2><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47245452 elementor-widget elementor-widget-hfe-breadcrumbs-widget\" data-id=\"47245452\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"hfe-breadcrumbs-widget.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\"><ul class=\"hfe-breadcrumbs hfe-breadcrumbs-show-home\"><li class=\"hfe-breadcrumbs-item hfe-breadcrumbs-first\"><span class=\"hfe-breadcrumbs-home-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-home\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M280.37 148.26L96 300.11V464a16 16 0 0 0 16 16l112.06-.29a16 16 0 0 0 15.92-16V368a16 16 0 0 1 16-16h64a16 16 0 0 1 16 16v95.64a16 16 0 0 0 16 16.05L464 480a16 16 0 0 0 16-16V300L295.67 148.26a12.19 12.19 0 0 0-15.3 0zM571.6 251.47L488 182.56V44.05a12 12 0 0 0-12-12h-56a12 12 0 0 0-12 12v72.61L318.47 43a48 48 0 0 0-61 0L4.34 251.47a12 12 0 0 0-1.6 16.9l25.5 31A12 12 0 0 0 45.15 301l235.22-193.74a12.19 12.19 0 0 1 15.3 0L530.9 301a12 12 0 0 0 16.9-1.6l25.5-31a12 12 0 0 0-1.7-16.93z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\"><span class=\"hfe-breadcrumbs-text\">Home<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2c1fe2ec elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-phone\" data-id=\"2c1fe2ec\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e7d35c7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e7d35c7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;mountains&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.33\" d=\"M473,67.3c-203.9,88.3-263.1-34-320.3,0C66,119.1,0,59.7,0,59.7V0h1000v59.7 c0,0-62.1,26.1-94.9,29.3c-32.8,3.3-62.8-12.3-75.8-22.1C806,49.6,745.3,8.7,694.9,4.7S492.4,59,473,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.66\" d=\"M734,67.3c-45.5,0-77.2-23.2-129.1-39.1c-28.6-8.7-150.3-10.1-254,39.1 s-91.7-34.4-149.2,0C115.7,118.3,0,39.8,0,39.8V0h1000v36.5c0,0-28.2-18.5-92.1-18.5C810.2,18.1,775.7,67.3,734,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M766.1,28.9c-200-57.5-266,65.5-395.1,19.5C242,1.8,242,5.4,184.8,20.6C128,35.8,132.3,44.9,89.9,52.5C28.6,63.7,0,0,0,0 h1000c0,0-9.9,40.9-83.6,48.1S829.6,47,766.1,28.9z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-39efe23\" data-id=\"39efe23\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b6c7d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6b6c7d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Origins: From Department of Fisheries Training to NIFNE\n\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3659b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f3659b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li aria-level=\"1\">The roots of OCUSL date back to <b>1963<\/b>, when the first Fisheries Training Centre was established in the area of Negombo.<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">Over the years, additional fisheries training centres were set up in several parts of the country \u2014 including Tangalle, Batticaloa, Jaffna (in 1972), Mattakkuliya (1975), and Trincomalee (1993).\u00a0<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">In recognition of the need for a more formal institutional structure, these training institutions were reorganized into a formal body: on <b>20 December 1999<\/b>, the National Institute of Fisheries and Nautical Engineering (NIFNE) was established under the \u201cNational Institute of Fisheries and Nautical Engineering Act\u201d.\u00a0<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">NIFNE also expanded: after 1999, new colleges were added \u2014 e.g. in Galle (established 2006) and in the Kalutara-North region (later relocated to Panadura in 2020).\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>So, the institution that eventually became OCUSL has a multi-decade history of fisheries and nautical training \u2014 not a sudden creation in 2014, but the culmination of incremental development across many decades.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6ff5c5 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b6ff5c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f25350b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f25350b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Establishment of Ocean University of Sri Lanka (2014) \u2014 Formal University Status\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6061b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e6061b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li aria-level=\"1\">The formal transformation happened via legislation: the Ocean University of Sri Lanka Act, No. 31 of 2014 was enacted, establishing OCUSL as a university.\u00a0<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">The Act came into effect on 2<b><\/b><b>0 December 2014<\/b>.\u00a0<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">The name changed from NIFNE to OCUSL; the university was granted degree-awarding powers under the oversight of the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka (UGC) like other public universities.<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">The main objective: to create a specialized university focused on marine, maritime, fisheries and allied sectors to meet the human-resources needs of Sri Lanka\u2019s \u201cblue economy.\u201d<\/li><li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.39;\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The NIFNE upgraded in the fully fledged Government University as OCUSL.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e3ce3d elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"0e3ce3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bfc232a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bfc232a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Academic &amp; Institutional Growth Post\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ccea69d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ccea69d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><p>After 2014, OCUSL expanded and diversified its academic offerings, reorganised faculties, and established a nationwide presence.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Highlights:<\/strong><\/span><\/p><ul><li>OCUSL is headquartered at its main campus on Crow Island, Mattakkuliya, Colombo 15.<\/li><li>It operates a network of <b>regional colleges\/centres<\/b> across the island (e.g. Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Tangalle, Galle, Kalutara, Negombo, Mattakkuliya) to provide vocational and certificate-level training beyond just degree courses.\u00a0<\/li><li>On the degree level, OCUSL offers undergraduate programmes including<ul><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ul><li aria-level=\"2\">BSc.\u00a0 (Hons) in Marine Engineering\u00a0<\/li><li aria-level=\"2\">BSc. (Hons) in Maritime Transportation Management &amp; Logistics\u00a0<\/li><li aria-level=\"2\">BSc. (Hons) in Coastal and Marine Resources Management\u00a0<\/li><li aria-level=\"2\">BSc. (Hons) in Maritime Affairs\u00a0<\/li><li aria-level=\"2\">BSc. (Hons) in Fisheries &amp; Marine Science\u00a0<\/li><li aria-level=\"2\">BSc. (Hons) in Oceanography\u00a0<\/li><li aria-level=\"2\">B. Tech (Hons) in Aquaculture &amp; Seafood Technology\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><li aria-level=\"2\">BSc. (Hons) in Marine Biotechnology<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><ul><li>OCUSL also provides vocational training, diplomas, certificate courses, and STCW-type maritime training (for seafaring ratings, engine ratings, navigation, etc.) \u2014 retaining and modernizing the vocational legacy of the old NIFNE.<\/li><li>In 2019, OCUSL set up a dedicated unit for global connection: the Center for International Relations (CIR), to facilitate international collaborations, exchanges, and research cooperation \u2014 sign of ambition to become internationally engaged.\u00a0<\/li><li>Just recently (2023), OCUSL launched its first postgraduate programme: MSc in Coastal Resources Economics and Management \u2014 indicating growth beyond undergraduate and vocational training, into higher-order research and coastal\/marine management studies.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a11944 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"4a11944\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7196a66 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7196a66\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Significance: Why OCUSL Matters for Sri Lanka<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb9872f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bb9872f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Sri Lanka \u2014 being an island nation with a vast maritime boundary, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), strategic location on major shipping lanes, and abundant marine resources \u2014 has strong need for skilled manpower in marine, maritime, fisheries, aquaculture, coastal management, ship operations, etc. OCUSL was created precisely to meet that need.<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">By combining academic degrees + vocational training + regional outreach + international cooperation, OCUSL aims to build a national human-resource base for the \u201cblue economy\u201d \u2014 reducing reliance on foreign experts and empowering local communities to manage, develop, and conserve marine resources.<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">The diversified academic offering \u2014 from engineering to resource management to oceanography \u2014 reflects a holistic approach acknowledging that the ocean sector isn&#8217;t just about fishing or shipping, but includes environment, conservation, logistics, aquaculture, coastal resilience, resource management, etc.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1940433 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"1940433\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2076eac elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2076eac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Our Past Vice Chancellors <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-3157af4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3157af4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-ab45a37\" data-id=\"ab45a37\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d150fa elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4d150fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"676\" height=\"977\" src=\"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG-20251203-WA00001-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-5503\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG-20251203-WA00001-1.png 676w, https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG-20251203-WA00001-1-208x300.png 208w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78ca8f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-jkit_heading\" data-id=\"78ca8f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"jkit_heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"jeg-elementor-kit jkit-heading  align-center align-tablet- align-mobile-center jeg_module__1_6a118bed7c15f\" ><div class=\"heading-section-title  display-inline-block\"><h2 class=\"heading-title\">Mr. Thilak Dharmaratne<\/h2><\/div><h6 class=\"heading-section-subtitle  style-color\">(Vice Chancellor)<\/h6><div class=\"heading-section-description\"><p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default elementor-inline-editing\" data-elementor-setting-key=\"title\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>From<\/strong> 2015.06.15 <strong>To<\/strong> 2019.06.15<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-860b588\" data-id=\"860b588\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a43fbe elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0a43fbe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"676\" height=\"977\" src=\"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1.jpg-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-5017\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1.jpg-1.png 676w, https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1.jpg-1-208x300.png 208w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-572e4b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-jkit_heading\" data-id=\"572e4b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"jkit_heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"jeg-elementor-kit jkit-heading  align-center align-tablet- align-mobile-center jeg_module__2_6a118bed7c82b\" ><div class=\"heading-section-title  display-inline-block\"><h2 class=\"heading-title\">Prof. N.P. Ratnayake<\/h2><\/div><h6 class=\"heading-section-subtitle  style-color\">(Vice Chancellor)<\/h6><div class=\"heading-section-description\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>From<\/strong> 2019.06.26 <strong>To<\/strong> 2021.01.15<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-559669d\" data-id=\"559669d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed58afd elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ed58afd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"676\" height=\"977\" src=\"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2.jpg-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-5018\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2.jpg-1.png 676w, https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2.jpg-1-208x300.png 208w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7540479 elementor-widget elementor-widget-jkit_heading\" data-id=\"7540479\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"jkit_heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"jeg-elementor-kit jkit-heading  align-center align-tablet- align-mobile-center jeg_module__3_6a118bed7cebc\" ><div class=\"heading-section-title  display-inline-block\"><h2 class=\"heading-title\">Dr. T.A. Piyasiri<\/h2><\/div><h6 class=\"heading-section-subtitle  style-color\">(Vice Chancellor)<\/h6><div class=\"heading-section-description\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>From<\/strong> 2021.01.26 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>To<\/strong> 2021.07.21<\/span><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7af644b\" data-id=\"7af644b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dafa51a elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dafa51a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"676\" height=\"977\" src=\"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/3-24142166.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-5019\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/3-24142166.png 676w, https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/3-24142166-208x300.png 208w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48e7412 elementor-widget elementor-widget-jkit_heading\" data-id=\"48e7412\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"jkit_heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"jeg-elementor-kit jkit-heading  align-center align-tablet- align-mobile-center jeg_module__4_6a118bed7d5b4\" ><div class=\"heading-section-title  display-inline-block\"><h2 class=\"heading-title\">Prof. Wasantha Rathnayaka<\/h2><\/div><h6 class=\"heading-section-subtitle  style-color\">(Vice Chancellor)<\/h6><div class=\"heading-section-description\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>From<\/strong> 2021.07.22 <strong>To<\/strong> 2025.07.15<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>History Home Origins: From Department of Fisheries Training to NIFNE The roots of OCUSL date back to 1963, when the first Fisheries Training Centre was established in the area of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4177","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4177","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4177"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4177\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6729,"href":"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4177\/revisions\/6729"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocu.ac.lk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}