The British Deputy High Commissioner, Mark Gooding and the Country Director of British Council Gill Westaway hosted a reception yesterday to mark the 1st anniversary of the Chevening Alumni Network. This year the British High Commission awarded three Chevening Scholarships and five Chevening Fellowships. The recipients of the scholarship and fellowship were:

• Nilmini Ferdinandez (Scholarship)
• Mujuthaba Jaleel (Scholarship)
• Kanchana Ambagahawita (Scholarship)
• Mr Wannakuwattewaduge Jude Shavindra Fernando (Fellowship)
• Mrs Wendala Gamaralalage Subhani Sulochana  Keerthiratne (Fellowship)  
• Mr  Chamindha Samantha Rajakaruna (Fellowship)      
• Captain Nan Adikarilage Nimal  Sarathsena (Fellowship)      
• Mr Sunil Shantha  Hettiarachchi (Fellowship)

Speaking at the reception, Deputy High Commissioner Mark Gooding said, "the Chevening Scholarships and Fellowships gives the opportunity for young rising stars like this years recipients who have the greatest potential to be future leaders to study in the UK and gain the skills they need to make a difference in their home countries. I am thrilled with this year's award recipients who come from a wide range of professional backgrounds. I wish them all the best and hope they find their time in the UK to be one of a lifetime experiences."

The reception was held on 4th November at Trenchard House, the official residence of the Deputy High Commissioner.

Notes for Editors

The Chevening scheme began in 1983 and has developed into a prestigious international programme of Scholarships and Fellowships. The programme is largely funded by the FCO. The first Scholars started in 1984, the first Fellows in 2005. Each year the programme provides nearly 1,000 Scholarships at Higher Education Institutions in the UK for postgraduate students or researchers from over 130 countries. It also provides over 200 Fellowship places for mid-career professionals who are already working in fields related to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office's policy goals.  There are nearly 100 scholars and fellows in Sri Lanka working in a variety of fields including Government, civil society and business.

For more information on the Chevening Scholarships please visit the British High Commission website

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