| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, October 27, 2010 | 5:00PM - 7:00PM | Seminar Room 108N, Munk Centre For International Studies 1 Devonshire Place |
Abstract:
The lecture will begin with a brief overview of United States – Ceylon(Sri Lanka) relations since their inception in the nineteenth century.As the period since Ceylon’s(Sri Lanka’s) independence in 1948 to 1977 is much written about, attention will be on developments post-1977 when arguably U.S.- Sri Lanka relations were stepped up to a point not reached before.The focus will be on the role of the U.S. in the internal conflict(i.e., between the State and the Liberation Tigers of Thamil Eelam) in Sri Lanka and prospects for future U.S- Sri Lanka relations with the projected rise of China and India in the coming years and amidst the emerging power realignments in Asia in general.
Speaker Bio:
Tissa Jayatilaka has served as the Executive Director of the bi-national United States – Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission(US-SLFC) since 1989. The US-SLFC, established in 1952, administers the two-way education exchange programme between the two countries with a view to promoting mutual understanding between Americans and Sri Lankans.
Jayatilaka has taught English and American Literature at several Sri Lankan universities since 1975 and is currently attached to the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka as a Visiting Lecturer in English and American Literature. His interests include international relations, politics, literature and sports. He has been a keen student of U.S. – Sri Lankan relations since 1977 when he became the Director of the American Cultural and Information Centre, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Subsequent to several years of post-graduate study in the United States(at Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts and at Wake Forest University, North Carolina) , he returned to Sri Lanka and worked for five years(1984 to 1989) as Special Assistant to the Director of the 26-member inter-governmental organisation The Colombo Plan for Economic and Social Development in the Asia Pacific of which Canada was until recently a member.
Jayatilaka is married to the former Lilani Appaduari, one time lecturer in English at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and a teacher of English at Ladies’ College, a leading Girls’ Secondary School in Colombo, Sri Lanka. They have a daughter, Lara, aged 21 and make their home in Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka.
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