U.S. Peace Corps Expands Operations in Sri Lanka with Induction of 23 New Volunteers

The U.S. Peace Corps marked a significant expansion of its operations in Sri Lanka as 23 newly recruited Volunteers took the Pledge of Service in Vavuniya on November 26. The ceremony, attended by the U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung (virtually), Peace Corps Sri Lanka Country Director Jeffrey Goveia, and senior officials from the Ministry of Education, signifies the agency’s renewed presence in the Northern and North Central Provinces after decades.

The new cohort begins two-year assignments supporting English language education in government schools, building on the Peace Corps’ ongoing programs in the Uva and Central Provinces. This expansion represents an important deepening of U.S.–Sri Lanka cooperation in education and community development.

In her remarks, Ambassador Julie Chung emphasized the enduring partnership between the two nations and the role of Volunteers in fostering people-to-people ties. She highlighted that nearly 600 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Sri Lanka since 1962, describing them as “lower-case ‘a’ ambassadors of the American people” whose actions reflect the values of service, curiosity, and respect. She underscored the Volunteers’ contribution to expanding educational opportunities, especially through English language instruction that supports greater access to learning and future pathways.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, in a statement conveyed on her behalf by Nimali Baduraliya, Director of English and Foreign Languages at the Ministry of Education, welcomed the Volunteers and acknowledged their commitment to strengthening English language education nationwide. She expressed appreciation for their decision to dedicate time, skills, and compassion to communities across Sri Lanka.

Country Director Jeffrey Goveia commended the long-standing collaboration with the Ministry of Education, noting that the partnership remains central to Peace Corps’ work in Sri Lanka. He emphasized that Volunteers serve not as experts but as partners, working closely with teachers, students, and local communities in support of national education goals.

Before taking their oath, the Volunteers completed a 12-week pre-service training program that included Sinhala or Tamil instruction, cultural immersion, and practical teaching preparation. Training activities also involved hands-on experience in local schools around Vavuniya, as well as engagement with Regional English Support Centers and participation in school-break English camps designed to enhance local teaching resources.

Following the ceremony, the newly sworn-in Volunteers will begin their assignments in schools across the Northern and North Central Provinces. Their work will focus on co-teaching English, integrating into community life, and supporting locally driven initiatives that contribute to long-term educational development. Their placement marks an expansion of Peace Corps’ geographic footprint and strengthens its engagement with communities where Volunteers have not served in decades.

The new group joins existing Volunteers currently working in the Uva and Central Provinces, bringing the total number of Peace Corps Volunteers serving in Sri Lanka to 53. Peace Corps operations in the country resumed in 2018 after a two-decade absence, following a renewed invitation from the Government of Sri Lanka.

As the new Volunteers begin their two-year service, the Peace Corps continues to play a vital role in advancing educational collaboration and fostering cultural exchange between the United States and Sri Lanka.