Belt and Road Joint Collaboration China–Sri Lanka ties Strengthened with Guizhou University Scholarship Awards

The China–Sri Lanka Belt and Road Joint Laboratory of Tea Green Prevention and Control Technology reached a key milestone with the Guizhou University PhD/MSc Full Scholarship Awarding Ceremony, held on August 22, 2025, at the Board Room, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.

The ceremony was graced by Prof. Terance Madujith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, as the Chief Guest. Dr. W. M. Wishwajith W. Kandegama, Secretary General of the China–Sri Lanka Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Green Plant Protection, delivered the opening remarks, followed by an address by Prof. Barana Jayawardane, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture.

A total of 30 outstanding Sri Lankan students were awarded full scholarships to pursue postgraduate studies (PhD and MSc) at Guizhou University, China. The awards mark a significant opportunity for young scholars to contribute to advanced research while strengthening academic ties between the two countries.

The programme not only celebrated the achievements of the scholarship recipients but also reinforced the growing collaboration between Sri Lanka and China in higher education and green plant protection technologies.

The event was attended by several distinguished academics, including Prof. S. A. C. N. Perera, Head of the Department of Agricultural Biology; Prof. J. P. Eeswara, Head of the Department of Crop Science; Prof. Pradeepa C. G. Bandaranayake, Director of the Agricultural Biotechnology Centre; and Dr. W. H. Jayasinghe, Director of the Agriculture Education Unit.