Colombo Theological Seminary respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect your personal information when you visit www.cts.lk and its related services, including our online registration portal (registration.cts.lk), learning platform (moodle.cts.lk), library system (library.cts.lk) and online payment page (cts.lk/payment) (together, the “Website”).
By using the Website, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
a) Information you provide to us
Registration and application details: full name, date of birth, gender, NIC or passport number, contact details (address, phone number, email), church or denominational affiliation, educational background, preferred language of study and course selections.
Scholarship applications: information you submit through our scholarship application form, which may include details of your financial circumstances and ministry involvement.
Payment and donation details: name, email, phone number, amount and purpose of payment. Card details are entered directly on the secure payment gateway (see Section 5); CTS does not store your full card number.
Newsletter subscriptions: your email address.
Communications: information you share when you contact us by email, phone or social media.
b) Information collected automatically
Technical data such as IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited and time spent on the Website.
Cookies and similar technologies (see Section 6).
c) Student learning data
For enrolled students, Moodle and the library system may record login activity, course participation, assignment submissions, grades and borrowing records.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
Process applications, course registrations and enrolments;
Deliver onsite, online and hybrid courses, including access to Moodle and Zoom classes.
Process course fee payments, donations and refunds, and issue receipts.
Assess scholarship applications.
Maintain academic records, issue results, certificates and transcripts.
Send course updates, announcements and our newsletter (you may unsubscribe at any time).
Respond to enquiries and provide student support.
Improve the Website and our services.
Comply with legal, regulatory and accreditation requirements.
3. Legal Basis
We process personal data in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act, No. 9 of 2022 of Sri Lanka, on the basis of your consent, the performance of our educational services to you, our legitimate interests as an educational institution, and compliance with legal obligations.
4. Sharing Your Information
CTS does not sell or rent your personal information. We share information only where necessary with:
Payment service providers (e.g. CyberSource and our bank) to process transactions;
Service providers who host or support our systems (web hosting, email, Moodle, Zoom, Google Forms), under appropriate confidentiality obligations;
Accrediting or partner academic bodies, where required for your programme [confirm names, e.g. ATA];
Government or law enforcement authorities, where required by law.
5. Online Payments
Online course fee and donation payments are processed through a secure third-party payment gateway powered by CyberSource. Your card details are transmitted directly to the gateway using encryption and are not stored on CTS servers. CTS receives only the information needed to confirm your payment (such as transaction reference, amount and status).
6. Cookies
The Website uses cookies to keep the site working correctly, remembers your preferences, and understands how visitors use the site [confirm if Google Analytics or similar is used]. Embedded content such as YouTube videos and social media links (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) may set their own cookies, governed by those platforms’ privacy policies. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but some parts of the Website (such as Moodle login) may not work properly.
7. Data Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your information, including secure (HTTPS) connections, restricted access to administrative systems and password-protected student accounts. However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Data Retention
We keep personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes described above. Academic records (enrolment, results and certificates) are retained permanently to verify qualifications. Payment records are retained as required by financial and tax regulations. Newsletter data is kept until you unsubscribe.
9. Your Rights
Subject to applicable law, you have the right to:
Access the personal data we hold about you;
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data;
Request deletion of data that is no longer required (except records we must keep);
Withdraw consent for marketing communications at any time;
Object to or restrict certain processing.
To exercise these rights, contact us using the details below.
10. Children’s Privacy
Our programmes are intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18 without the consent of a parent or guardian.
11. Third-Party Websites
The Website contains links to external sites (such as Google Forms, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram). CTS is not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last updated” date.
13. Contact Us
Colombo Theological Seminary
189 Dutugemunu Street, Kohuwela, Sri Lanka
Phone: (+94) 11 2890809
Email: info@cts.lk