The South Eastern University of Sri Lanka (SEUSL) offers external degrees and professional courses, providing opportunities for students pursuing higher education. The Centre for External Degrees and Professional Learning (CEDPL) was officially established in 2012, following UGC approval in 2007 under Section 29(f) & (g) and 135(3) of the University Act No. 16 of 1978, as per UGC Circular 932. Previously, CEDPL operated as the Centre for Extension Courses (CES), which was limited to offering extension courses.

The Centre for External Degrees and Professional Learning (CEDPL) operates under the governance of the UGC, Council, Senate, relevant Faculty Boards, Board of Studies, and the CEDPL Management Committee. The overall administration is overseen by the Director, supported by three Deputy Directors: one for Registration and Examination, one for Learning and Resources, and one for Training and Research. Additionally, the administrative and non-academic staff play a vital role in supporting the center's operations.

Presently, CEDPL offers three general degree programmes namely Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Business Management (BBA) and Bachelor of Commerce (BCOM) and professional courses such as diploma in counselling and diploma in journalism. While BA is offered only in Tamil medium, BBA and BCOM degrees are offered in both English and Tamil medium. The students registered are required to engage in self-study using learning material provided by the university in print and/or electronic forms (blended learning) on the prescribed courses of the chosen study programme. CEDPL also organize limited number of hours of seminars to prepare the students for their continuous and final evaluations/examinations.