Report of the progress of activities of the South Asia Foundation - Sri Lanka Chapter

Sri Lanka Chapter of the South Asia Foundation (SAF) was incorporated under the Company Act of 05^th August 2002. The Sri Lanka Chapter is headed by an Advisory Board of a maximum of 09 Members. The Founder Chairman was Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar, followed by Hon. Mangala Samaraweera. The present Chairperson is HE Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
The present members are:

• Professor Carlo Fonseka
• Mr. U.L. Kadurugamuwa
• Mr. M. D. D. Peiris
• Dr. Roland Silva
• Mr. Jeevan Thiagarajah

Two Members, Mr. Lucien Rajakarunanayake and Mr. S. K. Wickremasinghe have expressed their wish to resign from the Board. They have not yet expressed this in writing.

Mrs. Swinitha Perera has served as Secretary to the Chapter since its inception.

Our Bank Account is at Citi Bank, Colombo. At present the account has a credit balance of US$ 58,810.00. This includes US$ 50,000.00, kindly contributed by Ambassador Madanjeet Singh for Tsunami reconstruction work. This remains unutilized as our Chairman died tragically a few months after the money was sent to our account and there was an interim period during which we functioned without a Chairman. Then with the change of Government, the institutional structures set up for tsunami reconstruction were dismantled and it became difficult to obtain clear information about what needed to be done.

After the present Chairman assumed office, two projects were proposed to the Founder Member, Ambassador Singh. These projects were not related to Tsunami reconstruction, but were proposing to engage in some cultural and educational activities for young people, as well as conservation of monuments. We have not had a response from Ambassador Singh.

The Board at its last meeting in July 2009 was of the opinion that we could engage in more productive projects. It was decided that we should discuss with the Founder Trustee.

We give below a list of activities undertaken by the Sri Lanka Chapter in its 07 years of existence.


A. (i) Scholarship Programme

• In February 2003, inaugurated a 05 day project of the SAF learning initiative - over 40 participants - Heads of all Distant Learning Institutions of the region participated, together with the Founder Trustee, Madam Singh and Chairpersons of other regional Chapters. Event was opened by Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
• Under the SAFLI, 02 programmes were undertaken in 2004 and 2005. Thereafter the programme was terminated.
• In 2004, 200 students were awarded scholarships to follow courses of their choice at the Open University. The Awards ceremony was held at the BMICH, with Ambassador Madanjeet Singh as the Chief Guest.
• In 2005, a second batch of 200 odd students was awarded similar scholarships to the Open University. Award ceremony for the presentation of scholarships was once again held at the BMICH. An Honorary Doctorate was awarded to Ambassador Singh at this ceremony.
• After 2006, a third batch was selected, but was informed that this programme was terminated. We must report that this caused some embarrassment to our Chapter.

(ii) Scholarships to Asian College of Journalism in Chennai

• Scholarships were awarded in the 07 years beginning from 2003 to 2009, for a one year course to a total of 10 students.

(iii) Scholarships to School of Visual Arts - Beaconhouse University - Lahore

• Scholarships were awarded for 05 years from 2003 to 2009, for one year courses in various art forms, to 07 students.
  
  In 2006 the one year course was converted to a 04 year degree course. The first student Miss Galange, completed the 04 year degree in cinematography and is presently a lecturer at the Beaconhouse University. The other student, Mr. Seneviratne, is presently studying Art. A third student has been selected, to commence the course this year in Art.

(iv) Masters degree in South Asian Studies in the University of Pondicherry.

• This programme commenced this year. 02 students were selected to follow the course from 2009 up to 2011.

(v) The New Madanjeet Singh Institute of South Asia Studies, attached to the University of Pondiche".

• Ambassador Singh has proposed to us that a scholarship be offered for PhD. Studies to Mr. Senanayake, who has written directly to Ambassador Singh, requesting an award to engage in study of SASIA currency.

(vi) M. Phil in South Asian Studies at University of Kashmir.

• This award commenced in 2009. 02 students have been selected.
  As is the practice where other scholarships are concerned, SAF Sri Lanka Chapter held interviews and selected 02 candidates for the above scholarship. This was done and the 02 selectees were informed. Subsequently we were informed that the University of Kashmir had also selected students who had applied direct to them and through the University Grants Commission in Colombo.
  
  This led to some confusion. It will be necessary to outline how exactly the selection process is to be conducted in this award. The candidates selected through the University Grants Commission were not aware that the scholarship was from South Asia Foundation.

• A list of activities is provided with the progress report.
• Presently our activities are strictly limited to award of scholarships. Hence we propose that we consider new activities, such as setting up an Institute of Excellence and some educational / cultural activities.
• Organize an exhibition of the works of our scholarship students, who have returned after completing studies at the Beaconhouse University. This would generate an effective publicity for SAF work.
• Proposal for setting up a South Asia Think Tank, similar to the Brookings Institution in the USA. South Asia in the only region that does not have a regional Think Tank. It is proposed that a South Asia Policy and Research Institution (SAPRI), for undertaking r esearch and publishing policy papers in economics with an accent on trade, poverty alleviation, education, health, women empowerment, conflict studies, cultural policy with an accent on building of bridges of understanding among diverse communities be set up.
  
  Policy paper is already prepared.

SOUTH ASIA FOUNDATION - SRI LANKA CHAPTER

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
HELD AT 05.30 P M ON TUESDAY 28^TH JULY 2009

Present :
H. E. Chanrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
Mr. M D D Pieris
Mr U L Kadurugamuwa
Prof Carlo Fonseka
Mr. Jeevan Thiagarajah

• ACJ  Chennai - Two female students have been selected by the process laid down by the AC3. Two male candidates withdrew at the last moment.
  
  • Ms. Wendy Sanchia Brown
  • Ms. Thulasi Muttulingam
     
• Beaconhouse University - School of Visual Arts - One place is available to a fem student. The male student sent in 2007 has 2 more years to complete his degree. We have some difficulty in attracting student due to the security situation in Lahore (Pakistan) Dr. Jagath Weerasinghe of the University of Aesthetic Studies has helped to identify a male student who meets with the requirements stipulated.
  
  • Mr. Chirantha Kuruppuarachchi
  • Ms. Sakuntala Galange who completed her degree course in the Cinema Department, has been offered a junior lecturer post at the same faculty. Dr Jagath Weerasinghe visited the Jaffna University and has discussed the possibility of encouraging students from the university to apply for the scliolarships in the future.

• University of Pondicherry - MA in South Asian Studies
  
  • Advertiesments were carried in two news papers (at a cost of Rs 50000). Universities, NGOs and other bodies were informed of the offer. Eight applications were received. Six persons who qualified were interviewed. Prof Amal Jayawardena E Dir. of the Regionai center for Strategic Studies and Prof. Nayani Melagoda, Head of Dept. of History and International Affairs served on the interview Board. Two students were selected.
    • Ms.Deepanjali Abeywardena
    • Mr. Indraiee Lilantha de Zoysa