The Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology (PGIAR) was established on the 1st January 1986, by order dated 18th December 1985, under section 24A of the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978 by the University Grants Commission. The PGIAR is a Postgraduate Institute of the University of Kelaniya. It is the prime institution for postgraduate studies and research in archaeology and subjects related to archaeology in the country.