On 30th November 2023, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States, addressed the first cohort of Peace Corps Volunteers who are due to leave the United States for Sri Lanka on 01 December 2023. The ceremonial event took place at Hotel Washington in Washington D.C. marking 25 years of partnership between the Peace Corps and Sri Lanka, and demonstrating U.S. efforts in supporting the Government of Sri Lanka’s priorities in English education development.
Whilst appreciating the support extended by the Government of Sri Lanka and its local communities, Rebecca Gong Sharp, Regional Director for the Europe, Mediterranean, and Asia region of the Peace Corps, introduced Ambassador Samarasinghe as a devoted and highly experienced diplomat and former senior politician. In his remarks, Ambassador Samarasinghe spoke about the history of the Peace Corps in Sri Lanka and the importance of the opportunities it generated and the impact it made on vulnerable rural communities and their English proficiency levels, increasing their competitiveness when seeking employment opportunities.
Ambassador Samarasinghe also spoke about the disparities that exist between provinces and districts within provinces and in particular, at the local government level and commended the emphasis given by the U.S. Peace Corps to work with rural communities where English knowledge dissemination is most needed. He underscored the importance of 2023, as it marks 75 years of bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the United States, and appreciated the initiative of the Peace Corps which no doubt would contribute to further strengthening the friendship that exists between the two countries, especially through people-to-people contact.
Carol Spahn, Director of the Peace Corps expressed her appreciation to the Peace Corps Volunteers and underlined the hospitable nature of Sri Lanka and her people. She extended her wishes to the volunteers and expressed her confidence that they would gain a life-changing experience in Sri Lanka.
It was acknowledged that upon arrival, the twenty-three Peace Corps Volunteers will undergo a comprehensive three-month training in Sinhala and Tamil languages, local culture and customs before commencing English Language Training as teachers, alongside Sri Lankan teachers in the rural communities of Uva and Central Provinces of Sri Lanka for a two-year period.
Established in May 1960 by Former U.S. President John F Kennedy, the Peace Corps brings together skilled, committed volunteers with welcoming host communities for service opportunities in more than 60 countries. The Peace Corps is a service opportunity for motivated change makers to immerse themselves in grassroots development and work alongside community members to tackle the most pressing challenges of our generation. Its vision is to be a dynamic, forward-leaning champion for international service; defined by its energy, innovation, and development impact. The Peace Corps is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington D.C.
05 December 2023
