The Minister said that there are legal provisions to recruit 4.5% of the student population from overseas students for undergoing basic degree courses in state universities.There are approximately 1,568 foreign students registered for University education in this country. The majority of them are from the Maldives and Bangladesh. Considering the prevailing situation, a decision has been taken to open branches of world renowned Universities according to the global university grading system. This will be done while recruiting on the basis of payment of course fees with foreign exchange by Sri Lankan students engaged in foreign employment and to implement the promotion activities for recruitment of foreign students by charging within the percentage limit allocated for the foreign students.This was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.