A proposal made by Chandima Weerakkody, Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training, to establish a university college in Kinniya in the Trincomalee District at a cost of Rs. 434 million was approved by the Cabinet.

Presently, 13 public sector vocational training centres function in the Trincomalee District, conducting 54 training courses in diverse fields, while around 24 training courses are conducted at vocational training centres operated by the private sector.

These training centres provide only vocational training courses of NVQ level 3 and 4; therefore, to follow training courses of NVQ level five and six, students have to attend university colleges in either Anuradhapura or Jaffna. Under these circumstances, it has been found that the establishment of a university college in the Trincomalee District is an urgent need.