The Government of Japan offers Master’s Degree and PhD opportunities to the executive level public sector officials in Sri Lanka, on grant basis, since 2010 and 2017 respectively, under the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS) Programme.

Accordingly, the First Framework (2010-2013), the Second Framework (2014-2017) and the Third Framework (2018–2021) of this programme were successfully completed in 2013, 2017 and 2021 respectively. The Fourth Framework (2022 –2025), started in 2022 and will end in 2025. In view of ensuring further career development of JDS fellows who have successfully completed their studies under the programme, the Government of Japan has agreed to offer scholarships for PhD programmes, at most 2 slots per batch. Accordingly, altogether 225 (15 per year) opportunities for Master Degree Programmes and 17 opportunities for PhD programmes have already been provided under this scholarship programme.

Accordingly, Exchange of Notes between the two Governments, were signed on 3rd July 2024 in Tokyo between Hon. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Hon. M. U. M. Ali Sabry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka to obtain a grant assistance of Japanese Yen 304 million (approximately Rs. 578 million) for the implementation of the proposed JDS programme. Mr. K M Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization & National Policies on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka and Mr. YAMADA Tetsuya, Chief Representative, JICA Sri Lanka Office on behalf of the Government of Japan, signed the documents related to the above agreement.