British Council Sri Lanka transfers vocational qualification attestation to TVEC

• Change takes effect in compliance with Sri Lankan law, ensuring smooth transitions
• From August 1, 2026, students and graduates requiring attestation of vocational or technical qualifications should contact TVEC directly 
• British Council Sri Lanka will continue to provide attestation for UK university degrees and graduate diplomas awarded directly by UK awarding bodies

British Council Sri Lanka and the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) yesterday announced that the attestation of vocational and technical qualifications will transfer from British Council Sri Lanka to the TVEC, with effect from August 1, 2026. 

From August 1, 2026, the attestation of vocational or technical qualifications — including those linked to the UK awarding bodies — will be done by the TVEC. British Council Sri Lanka will continue to process all applications submitted on or before July 31, 2026. 

British Council Sri Lanka will continue to provide attestation for the UK university degrees, graduate diplomas awarded directly by the UK awarding bodies, Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA O Level and A Level certificates as well as IELTS and Aptis certificates and ACCA qualifications.

British Council Sri Lanka and TVEC have also worked with the UK’s Department for Business and Trade to ensure the UK awarding bodies understand Sri Lanka’s regulatory requirements. 

The UK qualifications remain recognised and valued in Sri Lanka – the transition ensures that the attestation is carried out in full compliance with Tertiary and Vocational Education (TVE) Act No. 20 of 1990, which establishes the TVEC as the national statutory authority responsible for the regulation, coordination and quality assurance of tertiary and vocational education in Sri Lanka. 

Under the act, all institutions delivering vocational training, including post-secondary vocational and technical education, must be registered with the TVEC and the courses they deliver must be individually accredited.

“British Council Sri Lanka is committed to operating fully within the Sri Lankan law and to supporting the integrity of the country’s education system. Our close collaboration with the TVEC over the past year has ensured that this transition is smooth, transparent and protects the interests of the students and graduates. 

We are confident that the UK qualifications will continue to be recognised and valued and that this change strengthens the reliability of attestation services in Sri Lanka,” said British Council Sri Lanka Country Director Orlando Edwards. 

“The TVEC is the sole government body in Sri Lanka authorised to recognise the vocational and technical qualifications in all fields of learning, from certificate level up to higher diploma level. This is a practical change that provides greater clarity for the students and providers while ensuring that vocational qualification attestation is carried out by the statutory authority responsible under the Sri Lankan law. 

The TVEC is well-placed to respond to all requests for attestation in an efficient manner and will take care of the best interests of the Sri Lankan students in attesting qualifications,” said TVEC Director General Dr. K.A. Lalithadheera. 

British Council Sri Lanka has operated a qualification attestation service for many years, providing certified confirmation of qualifications to support students, graduates and professionals seeking opportunities overseas. 

Following the discussions with the TVEC, British Council Sri Lanka recognises that the TVEC is the statutory authority mandated under the Sri Lankan law to undertake attestation of vocational qualifications. 

British Council Sri Lanka has been working closely with the TVEC since October 2025 to ensure a smooth and well-managed transition.