Japan Provides Human Resources Development Scholarships for the Sri Lankan Public Sector
Since 2010, the Government of Japan has been actively supporting the professional development of executive-level young government officials in Sri Lanka by providing opportunities for Postgraduate Degree programmes. These scholarships are offered on a grant basis through the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS) Programme. The programme is funded by the Government of Japan under the Official Development Assistance and implemented through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The scholarship programme has provided 240 opportunities for Master’s Degree programmes and 16 opportunities for PhD programmes from the year 2010 to 2025.
The Government of Sri Lanka anticipates that the public officials benefiting from the JDS Programme will make meaningful contributions to the country’s socio-economic development, bolstered by the increased self-confidence gained through their advanced studies. Furthermore, it is expected that these officials will play a vital role in strengthening the existing bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and Japan, fostering collaboration and mutual growth between the two nations. This relationship is similarly important for the countries’ growth initiatives and international cooperation, enhancing the potential for shared progress and development in various sectors.
The implementation of the JDS program has been successfully completed under four frameworks from 2010 to 2025, and currently the Fourth Framework is being implemented from 2022 to 2025. The Government of Japan allocates funds for each year and the total grant allocated for this year’s programme by the Government of Japan is Japanese Yen 332 million (approximately Rs. 687 million).
An Exchange of Notes between the two Governments, and Grant Agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the JICA for the implementation of this programme were signed today, 24th July 2025, at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Treasury and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, Mr. ISOMATA Akio, His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka on behalf of the Government of Japan and Mr. YAMADA Tetsuya, Chief Representative of the JICA on behalf of the JICA signed the relevant documents.
Source : Ada Derana