Exam fees and test centres by country

Where can I take IELTS in Sri Lanka?

IELTS on computer runs across Sri Lanka with both IDP and the British Council. The British Council lists nine centres in Colombo, Kandy, Negombo, Malabe, Kurunegala, Jaffna, Batticaloa and Matara. IDP's finder showed six centres in Colombo, Battaramulla, Kandy, Negombo and Jaffna, and its fees page names more cities. The British Council also offers IELTS Academic Online from home.
  • Checked against official sources · 9 October 2026
  • 3 sections
  • IELTS
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IELTS test cities in Sri Lanka by provider

City lists come from the British Council's dates, fees and locations page, IDP's test centre finder and IDP's fees and locations page, read on 9 October 2026. IDP's fees page also names Kalubowila, Galle, Trincomalee and Matara among its computer test locations, but these did not appear as centres in its finder that day; check sessions before you plan travel.

CityIDPBritish CouncilFormat
ColomboYesYes (2 centres)Computer; UKVI; Life Skills
KandyYes (2 centres)Yes (2 centres)Computer; British Council Life Skills
NegomboYesYesComputer
JaffnaYesYesComputer
BattaramullaYesNot listedComputer
MalabeListed on fees pageYesComputer
Kurunegala, Batticaloa, MataraListed on fees pageYesComputer
Galle, TrincomaleeListed on fees pageNot listedCheck sessions
At home (remote)NoIELTS Academic OnlineComputer, online

How to choose a centre

Colombo has the most sessions: IDP's Colombo page alone showed 622 upcoming sessions on 9 October 2026, and its Colombo listing includes many IELTS for UKVI sessions (IDP Colombo). The British Council runs morning and afternoon sessions, with an evening session on selected days, and Speaking on the same day for computer tests.

If you are outside the Western Province, Kandy, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Kurunegala and Matara save a trip to Colombo. If you only need IELTS Academic and have a quiet room with a reliable connection, IELTS Academic Online with the British Council saves travel and LKR 4,200 on the fee. British Council candidates in the Maldives book through the same Sri Lanka site.

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Booking

Book with the provider that runs your chosen centre, IDP through its test date pages or the British Council through its booking page. Fees and refund rules differ between the two in Sri Lanka; see IELTS exam fee in Sri Lanka.

Frequently asked questions

Which cities in Sri Lanka have IELTS test centres?+

Colombo, Kandy, Negombo and Jaffna with both providers; Battaramulla with IDP; Malabe, Kurunegala, Batticaloa and Matara with the British Council. IDP's fees page also lists Galle and Trincomalee.

Where can I take IELTS for UKVI in Sri Lanka?+

In Colombo, with IDP or the British Council.

Can I take IELTS from home in Sri Lanka?+

Yes, IELTS Academic Online with the British Council, for LKR 72,800.

Is there an IELTS centre in Jaffna?+

Yes. Both IDP and the British Council list Jaffna.

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Related

Verified against the linked official sources on 9 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.

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