Once in a lifetime you get an opportunity to cause change, and be changed forever in the process. These are chances you can't miss. Knowing what to do, when and how to go about it can make the difference between creating history and waving adieu to yet another missed opportunity.
 The South Asia Scholarship Programme (SASP) - an initiative by the Australian Government is one such opportunity. I sincerely request all patriots to consider its merits, objectives and make their applications.
This is a unique awards programme which offers scholarships for dedicated public servants as well as leaders in the private and community sectors to complete their postgraduate studies in Australia, and thereafter return to Sri Lanka and implement a minimum of 2 year re-entry action plan for the purposes of sustainable development and poverty reduction in the country. Through AusAID - the Australian Government agency responsible for managing Australia's overseas aid programme, Sri Lankans have been receiving Scholarships for over 50 years. This is a fantastic way of support, as it focuses on human resource development and respects the will and ability of Sri Lankans to decide what's best for them.
 I not only found Aus AID's SASP to be a far sighted and planned approach to development, but also one which encourages communication and collaborative thinking by persons at all levels towards a common objective. The programme also enforces a much needed "implement and use what you learn" mindset as against show-casing certificates on the wall or collecting prefixes and suffixes to one's name. It further detracts from the more usual reasons for applying for a scholarship abroad- which is a desire to migrate.
Sri Lankans work so hard and do so well when they are abroad, you often wonder what a developed nation we would be, if only we applied ourselves with equal intensity in home soil.
I am an Assistant Director at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources stationed in Battaramulla. My Master's was in Environment and Resource Economics at Australian National University. The degree spanned 2 years- from 2008 to 2009. Looking back, I find it hard to believe how the choice of applying for the scholarship and the subsequent 2 years' stay in Australia has changed my life so profoundly.
Since my return I have been given the opportunity to live my dream- to implement my action plan. I got involved in preparing the first Box Letter on Green Economy in the Central Bank report 2009. This experience enabled me to further engage in advocacy and publish some of my proposals as well. Another activity I am very passionate about is Environmental Valuation. Sri Lanka is due to submit a proposal for valuation of ecosystems to fulfil the requirement of International Environmental Conventions and I have been invited to be part of the team.
My goal is to continue my efforts in my chosen field and contribute to the splendid glory of this country. I hope that others out there might consider this option, as it has certainly provided me the opportunity to affect real change.
Senarath Mahinda Werahera |
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