Sri Lanka’s 10 Commonwealth Scholars Embark on Fully Funded Academic Journey to the UK
Ten outstanding Sri Lankan students have been awarded Commonwealth Scholarships to pursue their postgraduate studies in the UK this year, joining a distinguished global network of future leaders dedicated to driving positive national and global impact.
Following a rigorous selection process that highlighted both academic excellence and a strong commitment to driving real change, a cohort of 10 scholars was selected from institutions across the country. The 2025 Commonwealth Scholars cohort includes nine Master’s scholars and, after a lapse of several years, one PhD scholar.
A Pre-Departure Briefing held at the British Council Library in Colombo gathered scholarship awardees, alumni, and key officials from the British High Commission and British Council to honour the chosen scholars and also create a space for connection, mentoring, and collective pride in a shared legacy.
“The Commonwealth Scholarship is one of the UK’s most prestigious and long-standing development initiatives,” said British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka HE Andrew Patrick. “For over six decades, it has supported outstanding individuals from Sri Lanka to access world-class education in the UK and return to contribute to their country’s progress.”
“We are proud to see such a talented and diverse group of scholars heading to the UK this year,” added Orlando Edwards, Country Director of the British Council in Sri Lanka. “Their fields of study —from climate change and migration to education, analytics, and policy— reflect the priorities and challenges of our time.”
This year’s scholars include: Dilisha Sarathchandra, –MSc in Applied Economics at the University of Strathclyde-, Dushani Poornima Abeykoon –MSc in Sustainability Transitions at the University of Aberdeen-, Varangana Ratwatte -MSc in Energy Policy and Finance at the University of St Andrews-, Rashmi Gandhari Hettiarachchin -MSc in Migration, Mobility & Development at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London-, Amritha Gunawardena Mudunkotuwage -MSc in Climate Change Science and Policy at the University of Bristol-, Hasitha Boyagoda –MSc in Business Analytics at the University of Warwick-, Kavithanjali Uthayashangar –MSc in Environmental Engineering at Cranfield University-, Renushi Ubeyratna –MA in Power, Participation and Social Change at the University of Sussex-, Sandeep Chamodya –MSc in Education at the University of Southampton-, and Pamoda Jayasundara, the sole recipient of a Commonwealth PhD Scholarship from Sri Lanka this year, set to undertake doctoral research in the UK on Global Animal Law.
“It has always been my aspiration to pursue postgraduate studies with world-class exposure,” said Amritha Gunawardena Mudunkotuwage, 2025 Commonwealth Scholar. “The Commonwealth Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards in the world, and I felt incredibly proud and honoured when I was selected.”
“The UK offers an incredible academic environment — a place to work with world-renowned researchers and build strong, multidisciplinary networks. But what truly matters is returning home and applying that knowledge to benefit society,” she added.
Around 1,100 Sri Lankan scholars have been awarded Commonwealth Scholarships ever since its inception, with many having gone on to serve the nation at the highest levels. As this year’s scholars prepare to begin their academic journey, they carry with them not only personal hopes but also the aspirations of a country proud of its intellectual capital and deeply invested in the futures of generations to come.
Caption(L-R)
British Council 1:
Standing (L-R): British Council Sri Lanka Country Director Orlando Edwards, British Council Sri Lanka Acting Director Education & Arts and Supporting Effective Dispute Resolution (SEDR) Senior Project Manager Dr Farah Altenberg, Amritha Gunawardena Mudunkotuwage, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka HE Andrew Patrick, Hasitha Boyagoda and Sandeep Chamodya
Seated (L-R): Dilisha Sarathchandra, Rashmi Gandhari Hettiarachchi, Dushani Poornima Abeykoon and Renushi Ubeyratna
British Council 2: British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka HE Andrew Patrick
