SRI LANKAN COMPANIES READY TO PROVIDE WORK EXPERIENCE
 

A number of leading Sri Lankan companies and organizations have agreed to provide internships for work experience to the Sri Lankan students pursuing their higher studies in the UK during the summer vacation. This is sequel to an initiative of the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, considering that such facilitation would enhance the skills and opportunities for these undergraduates, which could also serve to attract them back to Sri Lanka on graduation, as the companies may find employable talent in this process. In fact many Sri Lankan companies have commended the High Commission in providing this opportunity for the corporate sector to assist and gain from young graduates with international exposure.

This programme was announced by the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK, Kshenuka Senewiratne at a fellowship of the Sri Lankan students, convened for the first time at the High Commission, providing a forum with a view to establishing a mutually beneficial link between the student community and the High Commission. A large number of Sri Lankan students attended this event.

The High Commissioner further elaborated that not only Sri Lankan blue chip companies such as John Keells Holdings, Aitken Spence, Ceylinco, Brandix, Delmege, Dilmah Tea, Mas Holdings, Hemas Holdings, Jetwing Hotels, Sri Lanka Insurance, Dialog Telekom, Holcim (Lanka) had agreed to be partners in this programme, but a number of leading banks such as DFCC, Bank of Ceylon Peoples Bank, Hatton National Bank, HSBC, Commercial Bank and Sampath Bank and hospitals such as Nawaloka and Apollo had also come forward with positive and encouraging responses. In addition, government institutions such as Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Sri Lanka Telecom, Department of Commerce, Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Sri Lankan Airlines and Trade Chambers, namely the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry have also confirmed their interests in offering internships during the summer vacation.

During the well attended meeting an informal core group comprising volunteers was formed with a view to maintaining a regular dialogue with the High Commission. The High Commissioner underscored the importance of the students uniting in diversity and projecting a Sri Lankan identity and being one community abroad. She pointed out that they also represent the country in the UK and could assist in building a positive image of Sri Lanka and make it better known among the British public especially as a tourist destination.
 
Students seeking work experience in Sri Lanka during the forth coming summer vacation are requested to forward a brief CV indicating areas of interest for training and the preferred companies by e mail : mail@slhc-london.co.uk . The participating list of companies was distributed at the meeting and is displayed as follows:

Sri Lankan Companies / Organizations which have agreed to provide work experience