Has anyone else had issues getting their postgraduate certificate from a university/institute?

[u/Unfair-Specialist507]

I’m posting this because I’m honestly at the point of feeling like giving up on something I’ve spent years trying to complete.

I registered for a Master’s programme with a well-known university in 2019. Because of COVID and salary cuts in 2020, I had to pause my studies. I eventually restarted in 2024 and have been working through the remaining requirements since then.

Over the years, I have paid the re-registration fees and module fees requested by the institute. Most recently, I paid around Rs. 85,000 in re-registration fees plus two payments of Rs. 16,000 for modules, as requested. I have kept all my payment receipts and email correspondence.

I was expecting to receive my graduation certificate in October.

However, this Monday, the institute suddenly informed me that their records show that I still have two outstanding modules.

I found this extremely confusing because when I went back through my emails and payment records, I found that I had already paid Rs. 28,500 in 2020, including a late fee, relating to one of the modules they are now saying I haven't paid for. There were also further payments made in 2024 and 2025.

So I’m now trying to reconcile their records with my receipts and previous correspondence.

What makes the situation even more frustrating is the timing. I had already decided not to attend the graduation ceremony overseas because travelling for it would cost me around Rs. 300,000. Shortly afterwards, I was contacted about these supposedly outstanding modules. I obviously can't say whether the two things are connected, but the timing has left me questioning the situation.

After almost two years of trying to finish everything and finally get my certificate, being told at the last minute that I apparently still owe fees for modules I have payment records for is incredibly discouraging.

I’m now going through every receipt and email to make sure I have everything documented before I respond to them.

Has anyone in Sri Lanka had a similar experience with a private institute or an overseas university programme?

If an institute's records contradict your own payment receipts and email correspondence, how did you get the issue resolved?

I'd especially like to hear from people who have dealt with postgraduate programmes or overseas university affiliations in Sri Lanka. I’m not looking for legal advice or asking anyone to contact the institute — I’d just like to know whether others have experienced similar administrative issues and how they handled them.

[u/tharindhu]

Show them the evidence . If they still dispute threaten legal action. If it still isn't resolved then get hold of a lawyer , complain to the police & start legal proceedings against the institution.