The University of Colombo has an excellent track record of providing research expertise for national development. Several of the key projects run by the university are shown below:
- University of Colombo Science and Technology Cell
- University Business Linkage (UBL Cell)
- Institute of Agrotechnology and Rural Science
- University of Colombo School of Computing
- Geocenter of the Institute of Human Resource Advancement
- Centre for the Study of Human Rights
- National Education Research and Evaluation Centre
- Social Policy Analysis and Research Centre
The University conducts several training programs and courses.
The University provides specialist services to many other government and non-governmental institutions and to the community.
- The Faculty of Medicine provides specialist clinical services to the National Hospital Colombo, De Soysa Maternity Hospital, Castle Street Hospital for Women and Lady Ridgeway Hospital
- Faculty of Medicine Kidney Transplant Programme
- Audio-visual Unit of the Faculty of Medicine
The University provides guidance to its students to help them choose appropriate future careers.
The establishment of the University Business Linkage (UBL) Cell is a necessary step in the implementation of the UGC Circular 10/2016 in the University of Colombo with the support from the Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) Project.