J’Pura University honours illustrious alumnus Prof. Patrick Mendis

The University of Sri Jayewardenepura announced the appointment of its illustrious alumnus, Prof. Patrick Mendis as a distinguished visiting professor and honorary fellow in December 2024.

A trailblazer in education, diplomacy, and leadership, Prof. Mendis serves as a presidential advisor at the US Department of Defence and has been recognized for his global contributions to academia and public service.

Born in Polonnaruwa, Prof. Mendis was educated at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, the University of Minnesota, and Harvard.

Prof. Mendis presently serves as a presidential advisor on national security education at the US Department of Defence—an appointment by the Biden White House with the endorsement of the US Congress. A former US commissioner to UNESCO during the Obama and Trump administrations, Prof. Mendis previously served as an American diplomat and military professor at NATO and the Indo-Pacific Command during the Clinton and Bush administrations.

A first-class BSc honours graduate in business administration and economics at the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, Prof. Mendis has a long and consistent record of scholarship and leadership. While at the Palugasdamana Maha Vidyalaya in Polonnaruwa, the young Boy Scout received the first UNESCO Award, served as a sergeant of the Police Cadets Corps, and became the best commander of the Army Cadets Corps in Sri Lanka.

With the national prominence as a sportsman and the highest Advanced Level results, Prof. Mendis won the American Field Service (AFS) scholarship among over 100,000 applicants. During his gap year, Prof. Mendis attended the Perham High School in Minnesota before joining the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 1979.

At Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. Mendis served as the founding secretary-general of the World University Service (WUS) and the president of the University Sports Council, while winning annual awards for swimming, running, and badminton. As the WUS secretary-general, he initiated a monthly lecture series, inviting prominent leaders and experts to the university.

The vice chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Senior Prof. Pathmalal Manage, said: “We are very honoured to have a world-class educator and award-winning diplomat more closely associated with our university. This year marks the 30^th anniversary of the Patrick Mendis Prize, given annually to the best student at the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce.”

Prof. Chandana Gunathilaka, the Head of the Department of Finance and former acting dean of the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, expressed gratitude for the continued support of Prof. Mendis, whose achievements are a testament to the university’s leadership in management education and nurturing global citizens.

"Prof. Patrick Mendis is an embodiment of excellence and global leadership. His remarkable journey, from a brilliant student at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to an esteemed advisor in the United States, is a testament to the values and education imparted by our university. His continued support, especially through the Patrick Mendis Prize, has inspired generations of students to pursue their dreams fearlessly. As a department head, I take immense pride in celebrating one of our own, who excels academically and exemplifies the spirit of giving back to society on a global scale."

Prof. Mendis represented Sri Lanka as its first youth ambassador to the United Nations in New York before he became a naturalized US citizen. Sri Lanka has indeed taken an immense pride in his government service under five American presidents in Washington and American military bases in Europe and Asia. All this began with the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, explained Prof. Gunathilaka.

For his indelible contributions to Sri Lanka, the United States, and the United Nations, the Sri Lanka Foundation in California presented him with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Endorsing Prof. Mendis as a global leader in higher education and international diplomacy, Who’s Who in America in New York honoured him with the most coveted Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.