This year, ten exceptional Sri Lankan students were granted Commonwealth Scholarships to study their postgraduates in the UK, becoming part of an exclusive global network of future leaders committed to promoting positive national and international impact.

A cohort of ten scholars was chosen from colleges around the nation after a rigorous selection process that emphasized both academic quality and a strong commitment to bringing about meaningful change. The 2025 Commonwealth Scholars cohort was nine Master’s scholars and, after a few years, one PhD scholar.

British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick stated, “The Commonwealth Scholarship is one of the UK’s most prestigious and long-standing development initiatives.” “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,” he shared.

These exceptional scholars are:

• 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

• Pamoda Jayasundara who aims to undertake a 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. She also added, “The Commonwealth Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards in the world, and I felt incredibly proud and honoured when I was selected.”

Since its commencement, the Commonwealth Scholarships have been awarded to almost 1,100 Sri Lankan scholars, many of whom have gone on to serve at the highest levels of the country. It is an honour to have seen the visions of a nation proud of firmly committed to the prospects of future generations to be represented by these scholars as they get ready to start their academic careers, in addition to their own personal goals.