The Eastern University, Sri Lanka , was established on the 1st of October 1986 by a University Order dated 26th September 1986 issued under section 2 of the Universities Act No.16 of 1978. The University was preceded by the Batticaloa University College established on 1st August 1981. The Batticaloa University College itself was established to fill a long felt need for the development of a Higher Education Institution in the Eastern Province.
Its establishment was recommended by a Committee appointed by the University Grants Commission headed by Professor V.Appapillai ,retired Professor of Physics and Dean of Science , University of Peradeniya and included Professor R.S.Ramakrishna , Professor Y.D.A.Senanayake , Professor S.T.Fernando , Mr.S.H.M.Jameel and Mr.Dixon Nilaweera.
