Japan grants Rs. 374 m in public sector Human Resources Development scholarships

Two Exchange of Notes between the Sri Lankan and Japanese governments, as well as grant agreements between the Sri Lankan Government and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), for the implementation of a Human Resources Development scholarship program were signed yesterday at the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media. 

Relevant documents were signed between Finance and Mass Media Ministry Secretary R.H.S. Samaratunga on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, Kenichi Suganuma representing Japan’s Government, and JICA Chief Representative Tanaka Fusato on behalf of JICA. 

The Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS) program was introduced in Sri Lanka in 2010 by the Japanese Government in order to provide opportunities for executive level public sector officials to pursue Master’s degree programs at prominent universities in Japan. The First Framework (2010-2013) and Second Framework (2014-2017) of this program were completed in 2013 and 2017 respectively. Accordingly, opportunities have been provided to 135 officials under this program (15 per year). 

In response to the request made by Sri Lanka, the Japanese Government has agreed to continue this program for a further four years and accordingly the Third Framework (2018-2021) was started in 2018 to provide 15 scholarships annually for Master’s degree programs in Japan. After considering the necessity for further career development of JDS fellows, Japan’s Government has agreed to offer PhD programs at a maximum of two slots a batch. 

The selection process of the first batch of the Third Framework has already been completed and the selected officials are scheduled to commence their studies in September 2018. In order to facilitate these officials, the Japanese Government has agreed to offer grant assistance of Japanese Yen 265 million (approximately Rs. 374 million) to Sri Lanka in 2018.