American Corner in Kandy has empowered thousands of Sri Lankans – Envoy

US ambassador in Colombo Julie Chung on Tuesday said that the American Corner in Kandy has empowered thousands of Sri Lankans – especially youth and women -through free education, leadership development, and programmes over two decades.

“Today, we celebrate 20 years of the American Corner in Kandy and the strong, enduring partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said Ambassador Julie Chung. “Over two decades, the American Corner has empowered thousands of Sri Lankans – especially youth and women – through free education, leadership development, and programmes rooted in our shared values of democracy, inclusivity and opportunity”, she said.

The ambassador was speaking at a ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of American Corner in Kandy on Tuesday.

She said that 20th anniversary of American Corner in Kandy reflects an incredible impact that can be achieved through collaboration and the United States will look forward to continuing this journey with the people of Sri Lanka

“Together, we are building a future where everyone, including marginalised communities, has the tools to thrive. This milestone reflects the incredible impact we can achieve through collaboration, and we look forward to continuing this journey with the people of Sri Lanka”, she said.

U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Counsellor Heidi Hattenbach said that the American Spaces network, including the American Corner in Kandy, reflects the United States’ long-standing commitment to Sri Lanka.

“For decades, we’ve invested in youth empowerment, education, and leadership opportunities for growth. The American Corner in Kandy is a shining example of this partnership, serving as a bridge between communities and fostering collaboration, understanding, and progress. It’s a testament to what we can achieve together when we invest in people and shared values”, she said.

Since opening in 2005, the American Corner in Kandy has been a welcoming hub for cultural and educational exchange in Sri Lanka’s Central Province. Located in the D. S. Senanayake Memorial Public Library, it offers free programmes focusing on six core areas: information about the United States, cultural activities, educational advising, English language learning, alumni engagement, and skill building. Programmes such as English language training, STEAM education, youth leadership development, and women’s entrepreneurship are designed to provide participants with valuable skills for an interconnected world.

Over the past two decades, the American Corner Kandy has welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors and conducted 4,000 programmes, with more than 7,000 students completing its initiatives. These efforts reflect a strong partnership between Sri Lanka and the United States, built on shared values of learning and collaboration

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