10 Sri Lankan Commonwealth Scholars embark on fully funded academic journey to UK

Standing (from left): British Council Sri Lanka Country Director Orlando Edwards, Acting Director — Education and Arts and Supporting Effective Dispute Resolution Senior Project Manager Dr. Farah Altenberg, Amritha Gunawardena Mudunkotuwage, British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick, Hasitha Boyagoda, and Sandeep Chamodya 

Seated (from left): Dilisha Sarathchandra, Rashmi Gandhari Hettiarachchi, Dushani Poornima Abeykoon, and Renushi Ubeyratna

British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick addresses the gathering at the Pre-Departure Briefing

Ten outstanding Sri Lankan students have been awarded Commonwealth Scholarships to pursue their postgraduate studies in UK this year, joining a distinguished global network of future leaders dedicated to driving positive national and global impact.

Following a rigorous selection process that highlighted both academic excellence and a strong commitment to driving real change, a cohort of 10 scholars was selected from institutions across the country. The 2025 Commonwealth Scholars cohort includes nine Master’s scholars and, after a lapse of several years, one PhD scholar.

A Pre-Departure Briefing held at the British Council Library in Colombo gathered scholarship awardees, alumni, and key officials from the British High Commission and British Council to honour the chosen scholars and also create a space for connection, mentoring, and collective pride in a shared legacy.

British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick said, “The Commonwealth Scholarship is one of the UK’s most prestigious and long-standing development initiatives. For over six decades, it has supported outstanding individuals from Sri Lanka to access world-class education in the UK and return to contribute to their country’s progress.”

British Council Sri Lanka Country Director Orlando Edwards added, “We are proud to see such a talented and diverse group of scholars heading to UK this year. Their fields of study—from climate change and migration to education, analytics, and policy—reflect the priorities and challenges of our time.”

This year’s scholars include: Dilisha Sarathchandra—MSc in Applied Economics at the University of Strathclyde, Dushani Poornima Abeykoon—MSc in Sustainability Transitions at the University of Aberdeen, Varangana Ratwatte—MSc in Energy Policy and Finance at the University of St. Andrews, Rashmi Gandhari Hettiarachchin—MSc in Migration, Mobility and Development at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London, Amritha Gunawardena Mudunkotuwage—MSc in Climate Change Science and Policy at the University of Bristol, Hasitha Boyagoda—MSc in Business Analytics at the University of Warwick, Kavithanjali

Uthayashangar—MSc in Environmental Engineering at Cranfield University, Renushi Ubeyratna—MA in Power, Participation and Social Change at the University of Sussex, Sandeep Chamodya—MSc in Education at the University of Southampton, and Pamoda Jayasundara— sole recipient of a Commonwealth PhD Scholarship from Sri Lanka this year, set to undertake doctoral research in UK on Global Animal Law.

2025 Commonwealth Scholar Amritha Gunawardena Mudunkotuwage said, “It has always been my aspiration to pursue postgraduate studies with world-class exposure. The Commonwealth Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards in the world, and I felt incredibly proud and honoured when I was selected.” 

“The UK offers an incredible academic environment—a place to work with world-renowned researchers and build strong, multidisciplinary networks. But what truly matters is returning home and applying that knowledge to benefit society,” she added.

Around 1,100 Sri Lankan scholars have been awarded Commonwealth Scholarships ever since its inception, with many having gone on to serve the nation at the highest levels.