Rs. 463 m from JICA for public sector HR development  with schools for young officials in Japanese unis

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Government of Sri Lanka signed a Grant Agreement amounting to Japanese Yen 269 million (equivalent to Rs. 463 million) under the Project for Human Resource Development (JDS) on 13 July between JICA Sri Lanka Office Chief Representative Fusato Tanaka and Ministry of Finance, Economic and Policy Development Secretary S.R. Attygalle. 

Accordingly 15 talented Government officials are expected to receive full-time scholarships for Masters’ degrees, besides two officers for Doctoral studies, in reputed Japanese universities by the end of year 2021. 

“Through professional engagements we expect that JDS fellows will expand their leadership skills stimulating economic development between Sri Lanka and Japan in consolidating bilateral relations, by actively involved in networking with Japanese partner organisations as well as public and private sector who see JDS fellows as strong envoys in strengthening Sri Lanka-Japan relationship,” said Tanaka. 

With the introduction in 2010 for Government of Sri Lanka, becoming one of the largest and popular scholarship programs among government officials, JDS has already accepted 171 officials for Masters and Doctoral degree courses in areas of public policy and finance, economics, business management, disaster management and climate change. After returning to Sri Lanka, officials are actively involved in planning and execution of development policies by making the most of their experience and human network in Japan.

Renowned for its well-planned implementation measures outfitting to country’s authentic needs, JDS implements a preparatory survey at the preliminary stage incorporating the country’s implementation policy, priority field of study, local procedures, and human resource development strategy into program design.

At the implementation stage, its special features includes academic exchanges such as immersion and exposure to various technical fields in Japan, while participants will also be able to understand Japanese society and business culture, learn common interests and work towards common goals creating a system for strengthening relations between participating countries, especially Sri Lanka-Japan. 

Besides JDS, JICA has been assisting the Government of Sri Lanka to implement human resource development strategy via inviting more than 100 Government officials for short-term training in Japan under JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Programs annually from relevant ministries, including JICA’s technical cooperation project counterparts for necessary technical transfers.

The signing was attended by External Resources Department Director General Ajith Abeysekera.