Pathfinder Foundation Directors awarded Guest Professorship at Leshan Normal University in China

The Pathfinder Foundation and Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Centre (China) Executive Director Luxman Siriwardena, Centre for Indo-Lanka Initiatives and Centre for the Law of the Sea Director Admiral Dr. Jayanath Colombage were appointed as ‘Guest Professors’ at Leshan Normal University, Sichuan Province, China at the recently concluded International Conference on Opportunities and Challenges of Trans-Himalaya Regional Cooperation under Belt and Road Initiatives and Challenges. Admiral Dr. Colombage presented a paper under the title of ‘Maritime Connectivity in the Indian Ocean and Belt and Road Initiatives: Opportunities and Challenges’ at this international conference. Luxman Siriwardena’s paper on ‘Cultural Exchange and People-to-People Communication under Belt and Road Initiatives’ was also read at the conference.  The award of Guest Professorships was made by Leshan University President Professor Hu Dan, Leshan Normal University Tarns-Himalayan Studies Centre Executive Director and Sichuan University Bay of Bengal Program Director Professor Dai Yonghong. The awards were made in appreciation of contributions made by the two academics and The Pathfinder Foundation for promotion of China- Sri Lanka relations.  

The Pathfinder Foundation is currently in discussion with Professor Dai Yonghong on joint implementation of a China-Sri Lanka cultural relations project which involves studies and practical actions including exchange of Buddhist monks between the two countries. LSTC, (Leshan Teachers College) which was originally founded in 1978, is one of the premier higher educational institutes for teacher education under the Sichuan Educational Commission & Education Bureau in Sichuan Province of China.