History of Computing at Colombo

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Digital Pioneers on Wheels (1985)
Rewinding to 1985…

This was the birth of the Mobile Computer Lab concept in Sri Lanka — a pioneering collaboration between CINTEC, the British Council, and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.

A Japanese Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa van was transformed into a high‑tech classroom on wheels, taking computer awareness to schools and exhibitions across the island.

Technical Flashback
Hardware: Ten networked BBC Model B microcomputers

Software: Custom‑developed at the University of Colombo

Mission: To empower the next generation with digital literacy long before the internet era began

In this photograph, Sisira Senaratna of CINTEC is seen giving instructions to visitors.

A proud moment in our technological heritage.
Did anyone encounter the famous “Computer Bus” at their school?

A group of students from St. Joseph’s College, Anuradhapura, visited the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) as part of their study tour to explore computing education and related activities.

They spent almost half a day with us, engaging in thoughtful discussions with many of our senior staff. One of the main highlights of their visit was discovering how the history of computing has evolved into today’s IT industry — through Sri Lanka’s one and only Computer Museum, preserved at UCSC.

I had the privilege of guiding them through the museum, sharing the remarkable journey of computing in Sri Lanka, which spans more than 60 years since the early 1960s.

Here are some photographs capturing this memorable visit — not only for the St. Joseph’s students, but also as a way to share with others across the country how our computing history began and continues to inspire future generations.

A Milestone in Sri Lanka’s Computing History
01 August – 30 September 1986, University of Ruhuna

Pioneering Computer Science Education in Sri Lanka — The Ruhuna Story, 1986 A Milestone in Sri Lanka’s Computing History 01 August – 30 September 1986, University of Ruhuna In 1986, the University of Ruhuna hosted...