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On 24th July, the Governments of Sri Lanka and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations by signing agreements to continue the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS) Programme, which supports the professional development of young executive-level officials in Sri Lanka’s public service."
Under the initiative, the Government of Japan has allocated JPY 332 million (approximately Rs. 687 million) for this year’s programme. The JDS Programme, funded through Japan’s Official Development Assistance and implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), offers scholarships for postgraduate studies in Japan. Since its inception in 2010, the programme has awarded 240 Master’s and 16 PhD scholarships to Sri Lankan executive-level officials.
Currently in its Fourth Framework (2022–2025), the JDS Programme is expected to contribute to Sri Lanka’s socio-economic development and strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations. The Government of Sri Lanka views this initiative as a key investment in public sector capacity-building and a cornerstone of the long-standing partnership with Japan.
The Exchange of Notes between the Governments of Sri Lanka and Japan, along with a Grant Agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and JICA, was signed on 24th July 2025 at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The documents were signed by Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Treasury and the Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, and His Excellency Mr. ISOMATA Akio, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, on behalf of the Government of Japan; and Mr. KURONUMA Kenji, Chief Representative of JICA, on behalf of JICA.