The British Council Library in Colombo 03 will be closed until 12.30 p.m.on Friday 25 July 2025. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

 

 Please note the following:

You can reach us on email at info.lk@britishcouncil.org

We have different types of memberships to suit your learning and information needs. 

Join our libraries and enjoy access to top quality online resources including journals, books, movies, music and magazines. We have more than 65,000 resources in our libraries.

It's easy to become a member...

  • Choose the library convenient to you: Colombo, Kandy or Jaffna.
  • Choose a membership that is right for you, available at that centre.
  • Have your proof of identification ready. (National Identity Card or a valid Passport*)
  • Complete a membership application form online and make your payment via an online credit/debit card transaction OR online bank transfer. 

Register for a library membership from the comfort of your home

Lots of free time and nothing at home to read? Our wonderful collection of digital resources – and our books in the library – are only a click away.

You can now sign-up for a library membership by simply completing the form and paying your fee via an online credit/debit card transaction OR online bank transfer. 

You're three steps away from being able to access our collection.

Click the payment method you would like to use to view the registration steps. 

Pay online with a credit/debit card

Step 1: Register

Register for a library membership of your choice by clicking on the 'Register and pay online' button on any of the membership categories from the drop-down below. 

Enter the required information in the form and tap 'Submit'. If you have a valid coupon code, enter it in the 'coupon code' field of the form  

Step 2: Review your registration details

On the next page, review your details and the payment amount. Click 'Edit' to make corrections if necessary. If the information is correct, tap 'Proceed to payment'. 

Step 3: Enter your card details and complete the payment 

You will be redirected to our secure payment gateway to enter your card details and billing address. Tap 'pay' once you've entered and reviewed your information. 

If your transaction is successful, a confirmation message will displayed on the next screen. Your membership will be activated immediately, and you will receive a 'Welcome' message in your email inbox. 

Pay via online bank transfer

Step 1: Register

Register for a library membership of your choice by clicking on the 'Register and pay via bank transfer' button on any of the membership categories from the drop-down below. 

Enter the required information in the form and tap 'Submit'. If you have a valid coupon code, enter it in the 'coupon code' field of the form  

Step 2: Make the online bank transfer

Once you receive an e-mail confirming the completion of step 1, you could proceed to make the payment. Use the account details below to pay your membership fee via bank transfer:

Bank Name: HSBCBank Branch: Colombo 1 Account Name: British CouncilAccount Number: 001-002377-002Narration: Name with initials and membership number. (e.g. A. A. Perera - ACBXXXXXX)

Please avoid paying through the cash deposit machines as the narration doesn’t appear on our statement and we will not be able to identify your payment easily and process your membership application in a timely manner. 

Step 3: Account activation

E-mail a screenshot of the bank confirmation to our Customer Services team on info.lk@britishcouncil.org.

Please use 'Library Membership Payment' along with your membership number as the subject line of your email (e.g. Library Membership Payment – ACBXXXXXX).

Your account will be activated within two working days upon completing this step.

Online Membership (For the Digital Library)

You can access our Digital Library from anywhere in the world. Here's our digital membership offer:

  • Access to the entire digital collection of thousands of movies, ebooks, concerts, audio-books, magazines, theatre productions, comic books and many more.
  • Price per year: Rs. 5,500
  • Age group: 18 years and above
  • The online membership does not include the 'Road to IELTS' platform offered for IELTS candidates
Pay online   Pay via bank transfer

Colombo Memberships

Click here to check out our library!

IELTS Library Membership
  • 02 IELTS packs
  • Access to Digital Library
  • Price per year: Rs. 5,000
  • Age group: 15 years and above
Pay online      Pay via bank transfer 

General Membership
  • 04 general books
  • 01 English language pack
  • Access to Digital Library
  • Price per year: Rs 6,500
  • Age group: 18 years and above
Pay online Pay via bank transfer

Family Membership
  • 08 books from general/young adult/kids books
  • 01 English Language pack
  • Access to Digital Library
  • Price per year: Rs 7,500
  • Age group: 18 years and above
Pay online  Pay via bank transfer

Organisational Library Membership

Entitlement per card for a total of 10 cards (Please refer Terms & Conditions)

  • 02 books 
  • 01 IELTS pack
  • 01 English Language pack
  • Price per year: Rs 22,000
  • Organisations only
Apply using the Online Application.

Kandy Memberships

 Click here to check out our library!

IELTS Library Membership
  • 02 IELTS packs
  • Access to Digital Library
  • Price per year: Rs. 5,000
  • Age group: 15 years and above
Pay online  Pay via bank transfer

General Membership
  • 04 general books
  • Access to Digital Library
  • Price per year: Rs 6,500
  • Age group: 18 years and above
Pay online Pay via bank transfer

Family Membership
  • 08 books from general/young adult/ kids books 
  • 01 Cambridge Assessment English (CAE)
  • Access to Digital Library
  • Price per year: Rs 7,500
  • Age group: 18 years and above
Pay online Pay via bank transfer

Organisational Library Membership

Entitlement per card for a total of 10 cards (Please refer Terms & Conditions)

  • 02 books from any collection
  • 1 IELTS pack 
  • 1 English Language pack
  • Price per year: Rs 22,000
  • Age group:  18 years and above (Organisations only)
Apply using the Online Application.

Jaffna Memberships

Click here to check out our library!

IELTS library Membership
  • 02 IELTS packs
  • Price per year: Rs. 5,000
  • Access to Digital Libray
  • Age group: 15 years and above
Pay online  Pay via bank transfer

General Membership
  • 04 general books
  • Access to Digital Library
  • Price per year: Rs 6,500
  • Age group: 18 years and above
Pay online   Pay via bank transfer

Family Membership
  • 08 books from general/young adult/ kids books
  • Access to Digital Library
  • Price per year: Rs 7,500
  • Age group: 18 years and above (of the parent)
Pay online  Pay via bank transfer

Organisational Library Membership

Entitlement per card for a total of 10 cards (Please refer Terms & Conditions)

  • 02 books from any collection
  • 01 IELTS pack
  • 01 English Language pack
  • Price per year: Rs 22,000
  • Age group:  18 years and above (Organisations only)
Apply using the Online Application.

Renewing your membership and want to know the renewal fee? Please click here to log in and follow the process.

Are you currently following an English class at the British Council?

You are entitled to a special discount for the Family membership category. 

  • Apply Online - Click here to fill in the membership application and pay online if you have already received your promotional code from Teaching Centre.
  • Apply at British Council - Click here to fill in the membership application and submit. Afterwards, you could pay using credit/debit card at the customer services by producing the payment receipt for Teaching Centre course.

Note: Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by their parents/guardians at all times. If you are a non-resident, you must hold a valid visa (student, work or residence) to obtain a membership.
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