Press Release

The Closing Session of JICA Chair program was successfully held at University of Colombo on 21st of February 2023. Approximately 150 students received the certificates of completion of the program. JICA Chair Programme at University of Colombo started in November 2022, and a series lectures were conducted on various topics surrounding Japan's history of modernization for the past 150 years.

The closing ceremony began with a traditional Kandyan dance performance, followed by speeches by Professor. Sashika Manoratne, Director, International Office - University of Colombo (IOUC); Senior Professor H.D. Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo; Mr. Kenji Inoue, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka; Mr. Teruyuki Ito, Director General, JICA South Asia Department; Dr. Sajitha Dishanka, Head of Department of International Relations.

In the panel discussion part, five students actively discussed what they have learned from the JICA Chair Program which reviews the start of the modernization of Japan (Meiji Revolution), Japanese education system, economic growth and management in Japan, etc. and how they can apply the Japanese development and modernization experience in Sri Lanka.

The closing session was concluded with the awarding of certificates to all participants and a commemorative photograph.