High Commissioner Prasanna Gamage visited the Palmerston North Campus of Massey University on 26 August 2025
High Commissioner Prasanna Gamage, accompanied by Mr. Asanga Ambalangodage, Attache of the High Commission, visited the Palmerston North Campus of Massey University, New Zealand, on 26 August 2025. He met with Professor Jan Thomas, Vice Chancellor of Massey University, Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Kerry Taylor, Professor Paul Kenyon, Head of School of Agriculture and Environment, Professor Gourab Sen Gupta, International Director of College of Sciences, Professor Kirsty Ross, Acting Head of School of Psychology, and Associate Professor Ramilan Thiagarajah, Associate Professor of Agribusiness.
During his meetings, High Commissioner Gamage, Vice Chancellor Professor Thomas, and the other academics explored potential opportunities for joint research, the exchange of academics and students, doctoral and postgraduate scholarships for Sri Lankan students, and collaboration between state and private universities in Sri Lanka. Vice Chancellor Thomas and Massey academics acknowledged the existing ties between Massey and Sri Lankan universities and expressed confidence in bolstered collaboration through Sri Lankan institutions. They also praised the excellence maintained by Sri Lankan postgraduate students at Massey University. A visit to the FoodPilot Plant laboratory was also undertaken by the High Commissioner.
High Commissioner Gamage also met with Sri Lankan students and briefed them about the role of the new High Commission, its functions and services, and the important role Sri Lankan students play in promoting academic and cultural relations between Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
Associate Professor Raj Prasanna, Deputy Director of Joint Center for Disaster Research, Ms. Chesna Cocker, Associate Director/International Relations, Office of Global Engagement, and Ms. Grace Liu, College International Advisor of the Office of Global Engagement of Massey University, facilitated the meetings.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Wellington
29 August 2025