The U.S. Embassy in Colombo yesterday (07) announced the appointment of Dr. Patrick McNamara as the new Executive Director of the United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission, based in Colombo.

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said, “We are so pleased to welcome Dr. Patrick McNamara as the new Executive Director of our United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission. Under the leadership of Dr. McNamara, the Commission is entering a new era, cultivating exchanges, educational partnerships, and mutual understanding between our two nations. We expect the Commission to play a vital role in further strengthening the people-to-people, academic and scientific ties between the United States and Sri Lanka, through vibrant intellectual exchanges that go beyond borders and enhance the academic environment for scholars and students alike.”

“The Fulbright Programme has been building ties and benefitting both of our countries for 71 years, with over 2000 alumni who have travelled and participated directly in the programme,” said the Commission’s board chair Heidi Hattenbach, who is the Counsellor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy. “From supporting biomedical research to a study aimed at the decolonization of English language teaching, Fulbright grantees are undertaking academic work that changes lives while building life-long ties that extend well beyond the classroom. Under Dr. McNamara’s leadership, Fulbright is poised to build on that strong legacy to enrich academic collaboration and build understanding for many years to come.”

“I am excited to begin this new chapter in my life and build on the strong foundations of the bi-national Fulbright Commission here. We will continue to build bridges of understanding and peace between the people of Sri Lanka and the people of the United States,” Dr. McNamara said. “The Fulbright Programme represents the best of American and Sri Lankan values such as diversity, unity, and respect for others. Through academic, cultural, and professional exchanges, we bring Americans to Sri Lanka to learn of the rich history here and Sri Lankans to the United States to experience the culture and educational opportunities there.”