As per the recommendations of the Committee appointed by Prof. Wiswa Waranapala, Deputy Minister of Higher Education in 1994, the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technical Education (SLIATE) was formed in 1995, under the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technical Education Act No. 29 of 1995, In 2001 the name of the institution was amended as Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education, (SLIATE). The main purposes of establishing SLIATE were to reform and restructure the entire technical and vocational education system in relation to the changing needs of economic development, to meet manpower requirements of national development strategies, and the promotion of privatization, With special concern of meeting the scarcity of trained technological manpower resources at the technician level. The SLIATE is a statutory body operating under the purview of the Ministry of Higher Education.SLIATE has been focusing on fostering Advanced Technical Education at post secondary level. It is mandated to establish Advanced Technological Institutes (ATI) in every province for technological education. At present it manages and supervises 11 ATIs and 7 ATI Sections.

The Higher National Diploma Program in Engineering (HNDE) serves to convert the school leavers with specialized mathematical knowledge to middle level technologists who possess relevant Engineering capabilities. Therefore, the program is intended to provide a clear and adequate understanding about Engineering principles, practical applications and emerging necessities of changes and creative innovations in the specific area/field to move with time. This program has been started under the Technical College, Ratmalana in 1986 and brought under the SLIATE in 1997. Since then SLIATE has been conducting this program with the aim of creating excellent higher national diploma holders who are competent enough and equipped with modern technology in the disciplines of Civil, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering..

• Higher National Diploma in Engineering - (Civil)

Higher National Diploma in Civil Engineering is a full time English medium course of three year duration of theory and six months in-plant training and is offered in three areas of specialization, namely structures, water and Transportation.

• Higher National Diploma in Engineering - (Electrical)

Higher National Diploma in Electrical / Electronic Engineering is a full time English medium course of Three and a Half years of duration in which six months are for in-plant training
This Electrical / Electronic stream is offered in three areas of specialization, namely Electrical Power, Electronics & Telecommunication and Network Engineering

• Higher National Diploma in Engineering - (Mechanical)

HND in Mechanical engineering is a 3 ½ years full time course with suitable industrial visits. Students have the chance to gain experience from a 6 months industrial training after 2 years (4 semesters) academic period. The Mechanical engineering students are given the opportunity to specialize in their chosen option at the 4th semester (2nd semester of 2nd year). This stream is offered in three areas of specialization, namely production Engineering, Automobile Engineering, Refrigeration and Air conditioning Engineering, Marine Engineering.

• Higher National Diploma in Engineering - (Building Services)

Higher National Diploma in Building Services Engineering is the first and the only diploma awarding course on the field of Building Services Engineering in Sri Lanka which is established & conducted by the institution of HNDE Mattakkuliya. HND in Building Services Engineering is a 3 1/2 year course, which has three academic years along with six months in plant training. There are modern & updated labs, workshops & Libraries which can facilitate student friendly environment along with the best human resources at our Mattakkuliya institution of HNDE. Furthermore the institute will guide all students throughout the training period of six months.

• Higher National Diploma in Engineering - (Quantity Surveying)

Quantity Surveying is about providing clients of the construction industry with financial, contractual and technical advice ensuring they get value for money from the buildings they construct. In many developed countries such as United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Australia, Canada & Middle East(specially Qatar and Dubai) have a huge demand, requirement & a value in the field of Quantity surveying. In Sri Lanka , there is an increasing demand has been arose in the field of Quantity surveying . As a result of this HNDE has introduced an Diploma course in the field of Quantity surveying in order to fulfill this demand. .HND in Quantity surveying is a 2 1/2 year course, which has two academic years along with six months in plant training. After completing Higher National Diploma in Quantity Surveying , the students can complete their degrees from well recognized universities

• Should be passed Combined Mathematics , Physics and Chemistry in GCE (A/L) Examination in one sitting
• Should have a simple pass for English subject in Ordinary Level (O/L)
• A pass in the General Papers compulsory for the applicants qualified in the GCE (A/L)new syllabus

The Selection Criteria
Short listed applicants will have to face an interview for the selections. The Selections of students will be based on the Z-Score of the Advanced Level Examination. Since the demand for this course is very high, preference will be given to applicants below 23 years of age as at the closing date of applications.