Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung at the Parliament premises to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in the fields of education and cultural exchange, the Prime Minister’s Media Division announced.
During the discussions, Ambassador Chung highlighted the continued progress of Peace Corps initiatives in Sri Lanka and outlined ongoing U.S.-supported educational and cultural exchange programmes, including the long-standing Fulbright international exchange program.
The Fulbright Program - considered the U.S. government’s premier academic and cultural exchange initiative-provides students, researchers, and scholars from more than 160 countries with opportunities to pursue higher studies, teach, conduct research, and promote intercultural understanding.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya emphasized Sri Lanka’s need for technical expertise within key institutions such as the Ministry of Education, the Department of Examinations, and the National Institute of Education. She underscored that such support is vital as the country works to reform its education system, moving away from an exam-heavy model toward formative assessments and collaborative learning methods.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of developing emerging scholars whose knowledge and research align with Sri Lanka’s broader human development goals.
Senior representatives from both governments participated in the meeting. The U.S. delegation included Menaka Nayyar, Public Affairs Officer; Dr. Patrick McNamara, Executive Director of the U.S.-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission; and Prof. Prabha Manuratne, Director of the Centre for Gender Equity/Equality and Prevention of SGBV and Ragging at the University Grants Commission.
Representing Sri Lanka were Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Pramuditha Manusighe, Director of the Europe and North America Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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