Reinforcing its commitment to international collaboration and regional engagement, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham concluded a high-level strategic visit to Sri Lanka that strengthened academic partnerships and laid the foundation for expanded collaboration in higher education, research, innovation, healthcare, engineering, disaster resilience, and sustainable development.
The delegation was led by Dr. Maneesha Vinodini Ramesh, Pro Vice Chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Dean of the School for Sustainable Futures, Dean of International Programs, and UNESCO Chair on Experiential Learning for Sustainable Innovation & Development. She was accompanied by Ms. Sindhu Manoj, Associate Director, International Programs, and Mr. Nitin Kumar, Program Manager, Amrita Centre for Wireless Networks.
The visit was centered around Dr. Maneesha’s participation as the Chief Guest at the Convocation Ceremony of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, where she delivered the Convocation Address on the role of higher education in addressing global challenges through innovation, sustainability, interdisciplinary collaboration, and societal impact.
A key milestone of the visit was the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, establishing a framework for future collaboration in education, research, innovation, student and faculty mobility, and capacity building.
Discussions with the University’s leadership also explored collaboration in antimicrobial resistance, healthcare capacity building, specialised training for medical professionals, and interdisciplinary research involving the Faculties of Medicine, Computing, and Geosciences.
Beyond the convocation, the delegation undertook a series of strategic engagements with universities, national agencies, and diplomatic representatives across Sri Lanka.
At the University of Colombo, the delegation met with Prof. Indika Mahesh Karunathilake, Vice Chancellor, and Dr. Iroja Caldera, Director of the International Office, to explore collaboration in climate change resilience, sustainability, disaster risk management, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary research, postgraduate education, and academic engagement.
At the University of Moratuwa, discussions with Prof. N. D. Gunawardena, Vice Chancellor, Dr. Jagath Manatunge, Prof. R. L. H. Lalith Rajapakse, and Prof. Udeni P. Nawagamuwa focused on engineering education, collaborative research, sustainable infrastructure, disaster resilience, faculty collaboration, and student engagement.
The delegation also visited the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) under Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence, where discussions were held with Dr. Asiri Karunawardena, Director General; Dr. Sanchitha Jayakody, Director (Geotechnical); H. M. L. Indrathilaka, Senior Geologist; and senior officials explored opportunities for collaboration in landslide risk reduction, geotechnical engineering, early warning systems, disaster resilience, and applied research.
Meetings with Prof. Kapila Seneviratne, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Sri Lanka, focused on strengthening academic cooperation between institutions in India and Sri Lanka, promoting academic mobility, collaborative learning, and institutional partnerships. The discussions also highlighted the potential of Amrita’s internationally recognised Live-in-Labs® experiential learning programme in fostering community-engaged education.
The delegation further met with Mr. Sandeep Choudary, First Secretary (Education), at the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, where discussions centred on expanding bilateral academic partnerships, collaborative research, institutional engagement, innovation, and capacity-building initiatives. The High Commission reaffirmed its support for strengthening higher education cooperation between institutions in the two countries.
“Universities today have a unique responsibility to work beyond national boundaries to address shared societal challenges. Our engagements across Sri Lanka reflect a shared commitment to advancing research, innovation, experiential learning, and capacity building that create meaningful impact for communities. We look forward to translating these discussions into enduring partnerships that benefit both our institutions and the wider region,” said Dr. Maneesha Vinodini Ramesh, Pro Vice Chancellor, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
The visit reflects Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s commitment to strengthening South–South cooperation through higher education, research, innovation, and knowledge exchange. By engaging with universities, government agencies, researchers, and policymakers across Sri Lanka, the University continues to foster partnerships that address shared regional priorities while advancing sustainable development and academic excellence.
