The Colombo Plan 75th Anniversary Inter-University Debate 2026
In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Colombo Plan, the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Colombo Plan, hosted the Grand Finale of the Inter-University Debate Competition on 24 June 2026 at the UGC Auditorium, Colombo 07.
The event highlighted the Colombo Plan’s enduring contribution to regional cooperation and human capital development, while recognizing the University Grants Commission as a key collaborative partner in bringing together university students for informed dialogue and debate.
Preliminary Session
The morning preliminary session featured debates on two timely motions:
- “Drug prevention programmes should be prioritized over treatment in South Asia.”
- “Maritime capacity building through international public-private partnerships is the key to South Asia’s economic integration.”
🏆 Winners: University of Sri Jayewardenepura
🥈 Runners-up: General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University
The garde finale motion: “The Colombo Plan and Human Capital Development: Reviving South-South Cooperation in a Changing Global Landscape.”
We were honored by the presence of Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister/Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education of Sri Lanka, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest and presented the awards.
A heartfelt thank you to our partners and supporters:
- Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka
- University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka
- University of Kelaniya, University of Colombo, General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
- Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Police Narcotics Bureau, National Dangerous Drugs Control Board
- Ocean University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Sumithrayo
- New Zealand High Commission in Colombo,Sri Lanka, High Commission of the Republic of India in Sri Lanka
- Bandaranaike Academy for Leadership and Public Policy (BALPP)
- Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKIIRSS)
- Hayleys Advantis, Colombo West International Terminal
Together, we celebrated youth voices, global cooperation, and the future of human capital development. 🌍✨
