The study is about exploring the influence of basic and secondary education on selected learning skills from the perspectives of post-secondary students in Sri Lanka. The learning skills selected were: critical thinking, reflective judgment, higher-order thinking, and self-directed learning. This study explored the ways in which Sri Lankan post-secondary students described their learning experience at basic and secondary education and how their former learning experience influenced the learning skills needed at post-secondary education. Twenty-eight final year post-secondary students were selected from two categories---fourteen University students and fourteen Seminary students. The data were collected through structured interviews, which were recorded. The interviews were held in English and in Sinhalese. The data collected were latter translated and transcribed, coded and analyzed using the constant comparative method. The literature traced the historical trajectory of how education system in Sri Lanka developed under the influence of religions--Buddhism and Christianity. The literature showed the challenges the higher education in Sri Lanka faced at its inception. The literature also indicated how educators discussed about the necessity of reforming the existing education system. Sri Lankan Educators emphasized the necessity of education that develops learning skills and competency in students. The non-Sri Lankan educators also have indicated that selected learning skills were essential for effective learning. The findings show that post-secondary students displayed difficulties in identifying the difference between learning activities and learning skills. While there was a discrepancy between the post-secondary students' understanding of learning and their experience of learning, it was also evident that there was a distinction between the understanding of learning skills in the students from government school/university and students from private school/university. The data also revealed a disconnection between the medium of instruction during secondary education and post-secondary education in Sri Lanka. The education reforms the educators proposed over the years, emphasizing the need for development of students' learning skills, seemed unproductive. Therefore, further research and study is recommended on factors preventing the implementation of educational reforms and changes; on investigating the relationship of education system to the development of the country; on the impact of religion and culture on education; and on exploring and identifying the kind of pedagogical curricula needed for a developing nation. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]