The government is considering obtaining the assistance of United States Peace Corps, a volunteer program run by the U.S. government, to improve the English education in Sri Lanka.
The United States Peace Corps program has been in operation from time to time in Sri Lanka since 1962 and provided significant support to the relief and reconstruction efforts, especially in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami disaster. However, the Program is not in operation in Sri Lanka after 2006.
The United States has decided to re-establish the program, taking into consideration a request made by the Government of Sri Lanka to re-implement the Peace Corps Program in the island nation to teach English.
This program will support the development of capacity of the English language teachers in Sri Lanka and the program’s volunteers will be accommodated in secondary schools, local English support centers and vocational training centers.
Accordingly, a proposal made by Foreign Affairs Minister, Thilak Marapana, to enter into an agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of the United States of America regarding the re-launch of the Peace Corps Program in Sri Lanka, received the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers.
