Twenty-three new Peace Corps Volunteers have taken the Pledge of Service in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka, marking the expansion of the U.S. Peace Corps’ activities into the Northern and North Central Provinces for the first time in decades. The event was attended by U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung, Peace Corps Sri Lanka Country Director Jeffrey Goveia, and Nimali Baduraliya from the Ministry of Education.
Ambassador Julie Chung delivered virtual remarks emphasizing the significance of people-to-people ties between Sri Lanka and the United States. “Today we celebrate service, partnership, and the enduring friendship between the people of Sri Lanka and the United States. Since 1962, nearly six hundred Peace Corps Volunteers have served here, creating a living bridge between our nations. As English Volunteers, you will help open doors to education and opportunity. And by learning Sinhala or Tamil and participating in community life, you honor the people you will serve…You represent the United States not as officials, but as lower-case-‘a’ ambassadors of the American people. The kindness you show, the curiosity you bring, and the respect you offer will speak more loudly than any policy ever could. You embody the best of our country’s spirit — a belief that the world is stronger when we serve beside our friends.”
A statement from Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was read by Nimali Baduraliya: “I extend my congratulations and gratitude to the new batch of 23 United States Peace Corps Volunteers who are being sworn in today and beginning their two year service in Sri Lanka to strengthen English language education in Sri Lanka, Your decision to dedicate your time and skills and compassion to our communities is deeply appreciated by the Government and the people of Sri Lanka.”
Jeffrey Goveia highlighted ongoing collaboration with local authorities: “Peace Corps’ partnership with the Ministry is the foundation that makes our work possible, and we are grateful for the Ministry’s long-standing collaboration. We are here at the Ministry’s invitation and aligned with its commitment to strengthen English language learning across Sri Lanka. The Pledge of Service reflects that shared purpose. Our Volunteers serve not as experts, but as partners—working shoulder-to-shoulder with teachers, students, and communities to support the Ministry’s goals and contribute to the country’s ongoing investment in education.”
The new volunteers underwent 12 weeks of pre-service training including Sinhala or Tamil language instruction as well as classroom preparation before starting their assignments across schools in northern regions. Their work includes co-teaching English alongside local educators and leading school-break English camps.
This latest group increases Peace Corps presence nationwide to 53 volunteers supporting English language education efforts across several provinces since resuming operations in 2018 after a long absence that began in 1998.
The Peace Corps is an international service organization established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961; over 240,000 volunteers have served globally since its founding.