Japan has provided Sri Lanka with a grant of JPY 282 million — around Rs. 591 million — to continue the Human Resource Development Scholarship Programme, known as JDS, which sends serving public officials to Japanese universities for postgraduate study.
The grant was formalised in Colombo on Monday, August 17, with Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata and Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Treasury and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, signing and exchanging the relevant notes.
Fifteen officials from 2027
Under this phase, 15 Sri Lankan public sector officials will be selected for two-year Master’s degree programmes beginning in 2027, the Embassy of Japan in Colombo said in a statement reported by Ada Derana.
The scholarships cover fields the two governments treat as central to national development: public policy, international relations, international development, macroeconomics, public finance and investment management, industry development policy, and investment promotion.
254 officials since 2010
The JDS programme has operated in Sri Lanka since 2010 and has supported 254 public sector officials to date.
Japan said the scheme is designed to build the capabilities of individual officials while also strengthening the institutional capacity of the Sri Lankan public service, and to support sustainable national development.
The embassy added that it expects the programme to deepen bilateral relations, with returning scholars contributing through the professional networks they build during their studies in Japan.
NewsFirst reported the same grant figures and scholarship allocation, describing the programme as aimed at developing the next generation of Sri Lankan public sector leaders through advanced academic and professional training at leading Japanese universities.
Neither outlet said when the selection process for the 15 places would open, or which universities will host the recipients.
