US - Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission reaches to the South

The US-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission (US-SLFC) launched an educational advisory service project in association with Mahinda College, Galle and its Past Pupils' Association early this month.

The primary purpose of the US-SLFC is the furtherance of mutual understanding between the people of Sri Lanka and the United States through mutual educational exchange programmes, a message from the US Embassy said. "I am pleased to be a part of this pioneering effort of the Fulbright Commission to reach out to the student community in the South," said US Ambassador Robert O' Blake at the launching ceremony.

He added: "Until now the Commission has been confined to Colombo and Kandy; but we're now adding Galle.

It is the Commission's intention to extend its services in a more tangible way than it does at present to the North and East of Sri Lanka as soon as it is feasible for it to do so." Ambassador Blake is also the Honorary Chairman of the bi-national Fulbright Commission.

Education Minister Susil Premajayanth, sent his congratulations to the US-SLFC and Mahinda College as they entered into this collaborative venture to further the educational facilities available to the Southern youth of Sri Lanka. The event was presided by the school's Principal, L.C. Karunasena and attended by parents, students, teachers of the Southern Province and several others.

Terry White, the Press and Cultural Affairs Counsellor of the US Embassy who also serves as the Chairman of the Fulbright Commission Board, US-SLFC's Executive Director Tissa Jayatilaka and Student Advisor Nelum Senadira also participated.