British High Commissioner hosts event for Chevening Scholars for 2011/12

The British High Commissioner yesterday hosted a pre-departure tea for the Chevening scholars from Sri Lanka and the Maldives for 2011/2012 at Westminster House.

The four successful Chevening scholars for this year are:

Ruwanthi Heart-Gunaratne who has most recently been working at the Sri Lankan Attorney General’s Department, will study Law at Queen Mary, University of London;

Ihma Shareef of the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will study International Studies and Diplomacy at the School of Oriental and African Studies;

Adam Saruvash from the Regional Health Organisation will study Economic Development and Policy Analysis at the University of Nottingham; and

Jeevanthie Senanayake from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence will study International Public Policy Analysis at the University of Bath.

Speaking at the event, British High Commissioner, John Rankin, said: “The Chevening scheme is a wonderful opportunity for Sri Lankan and Maldivian students to study at world class universities in the UK. In addition to obtaining a post-graduate degree, the scholars also return home with a deeper understanding of the UK’s culture and values. We hope that this will contribute towards the existing strong and long-lasting bonds of friendship between the UK and Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

 I congratulate this year’s scholars on their success in being selected from a large pool of strong candidates. We at the British High Commission wish them all the very best for their future.”

The Chevening Scholarship Scheme 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. Many former Chevening scholars have gone on to be leaders in their fields, and indeed, even leaders of their countries.  

Chevening alumni from Sri Lanka and the Maldives include Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka; Jayantha Fernando of the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka; Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne of Sarvodaya; Kshenuka Seneviratne of the Sri Lankan Ministry of External Affairs; Iruthisham Adam, Maldivian Ambassador to Geneva; A. Khaleel of the Maldivian UK Mission in New York; Mohammed Naseer, Permanent Secretary at the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mohamed Latheef Chairperson of the Maldivian Civil Service Commission.