AbstractThe growth of a modern Institute for training surveyors in Sri Lanka is traced in broad outline from colonial times. The Institute was established in 1968 as a United Nations Development Programme project of four years' duration in close co-operation with the Survey Department. In 1972, at the end of the project period, it become independent, administered by a Director, responsible to the Surveyor General who is assisted by an Advisory-Co-ordinating Committee comprising three persons with particular interests in Survey education.The Courses available are discussed.