“UK’s Chevening Scholarship Scheme strengthens connections” – British envoy

Thursday, 30 August 2012 01:59 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Maldives John Rankin hosted a pre-departure briefing for the Chevening scholars for 2012/2013 at his residence on Tuesday, 28 August 2012.

The Chevening Scholarship Scheme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is the UK’s most prestigious scholarship scheme for foreign post-graduate students. It aims to enable current and future leaders, decision makers and opinion formers to study in the UK and make a positive contribution to their own countries upon their return.

The three successful Chevening scholars for this year are:

Nadeeka Jayaweera from Sri Lanka, who has been awarded a Sri Lanka/Maldives Chevening Cambridge Scholarship to read for an MPhil in Environment at Darwin College, University of Cambridge (part-funded by the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust)

Srivante Gunawardena from Sri Lanka, who has been awarded a Chevening Scholarship to read for an MA in Finance and Law at Queen Mary University of London

Hussain Shameem from Maldives, who has been awarded a Chevening Scholarship to read for an LLM at the University of Sussex

The scholars were welcomed to the Chevening Scholarship Scheme by the High Commissioner. Several Chevening alumni present at the briefing also shared their experienced with the group. The briefing was followed by the annual Chevening reception, where the new scholars met a host of Chevening alumni, as well as other British High Commission partners and staff of the British High Commission and the British Council. Speaking at the event, British High Commissioner John Rankin said: “The Chevening Scholarship Scheme is a wonderful opportunity for talented Sri Lankans and Maldivians to study at world class universities in the UK. In addition to obtaining a post-graduate degree, the scholars return home with experience of a different country and continent and a deeper understanding of the UK’s culture and values. We hope that this will contribute towards the strong and lasting bonds of friendship between the UK and Sri Lanka and Maldives. I congratulate this year’s scholars on their success in being selected from a high competitive field of candidates. We at the British High Commission wish them all the very best for their future.”

He added: “I am also glad to welcome our distinguished Chevening alumni to my residence today. Chevening is all about deepening and strengthening connections – that is why we want to maintain a strong relationship with everyone who has been involved in Chevening.”

Many former Chevening scholars have gone on to be leaders in their fields, and indeed, even leaders of their countries. Notable Chevening scholars from Sri Lanka and Maldives include the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, Dr. Shiranee Bandaranayake; the Attorney-General of Sri Lanka Palitha Fernando; members of the Attorney-General’s Department and Ministry of External Affairs of Sri Lanka; the Maldives Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Iruthisham Adam; and members of the Maldives Monetary Authority.