(Left to Right): H.E. Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan, newly-appointed Secretary General of the Colombo Plan, H.E. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Hon. Mr. Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, and H.E. Ms. Trinh Thi Tam, Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka and President of the Colombo Plan Council

Joining the world leaders in a night of celebration to rejoice the 75 years of fruitful and active service of the Colombo Plan to the nations across Asia and the Pacific and even beyond, Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Kumar Dhameja, Director General, Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) witnessed this momentous occasion held on July 3, 2026 at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The anniversary celebration was graced by no less than the Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka herself, H.E. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya as the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker. The event was also attended by Hon. Mr. Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, and H.E. Ms. Trinh Thi Tam, Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka and the President of the Colombo Plan Council as Guests of Honour.

The members of the Colombo Plan Secretariat warmly welcome Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Kumar Dhameja, CPSC Director General, during the former’s 75th Founding Anniversary celebration at Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka

(Left) The traditional lighting of the oil lamp formally opens the Colombo Plan's 75th Founding Anniversary celebration. (Right) H.E. Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan, Hon. Mr. Arun Hemachandra, and H.E. Ms. Trinh Thi Tam lead the ceremonial cake-cutting, celebrating the organization's enduring legacy of regional cooperation and development.

Presiding over the ceremony was the newly-appointed Secretary General of the Colombo Plan, H.E. Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan, who led her first anniversary celebration after assuming office on July 1, 2026. The organization also paid a special tribute to the outgoing Secretary General, Dr. Benjamin P. Reyes, in recognition of his distinguished leadership and dedicated service over the past four years.

In her keynote address, Prime Minister Amarasuriya underscored the enduring relevance of the Colombo Plan in responding to the region's evolving development challenges. She emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation in education, skills development, and human capital while fostering greater appreciation among younger generations for the value of international collaboration and regional solidarity.

The celebration also highlighted the remarkable journey of the Colombo Plan since its establishment in 1951 as one of the world's longest-standing intergovernmental organizations for regional cooperation. Over the past seven and a half decades, the organization has continued to advance sustainable socio-economic development through capacity building, technical cooperation, knowledge sharing, and partnerships among its member countries.

As one of the Colombo Plan's permanent regional institutions, CPSC reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across the Asia-Pacific region. Under the leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Dhameja, CPSC continues to work closely with the Colombo Plan Secretariat, member governments, and development partners in promoting future-ready skills, quality assurance, digital transformation, green competencies, and inclusive workforce development.

(Left) Prof. (Dr.) Dhameja, congratulates the outgoing Colombo Plan Secretary General Dr. Benjamin P. Reyes for his successful leadership, and thanks him for his support to CPSC. (Right) Prof. Dhameja with H.E. Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan, the newly appointed Secretary General of the Colombo Plan, during the organization's 75th Founding Anniversary celebration in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Clockwise from top left: The CPSC Director General with H.E. Ms. Nina Padilla Cainglet, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Sri Lanka; H.E. Mr. Masood Imad, High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to Sri Lanka; H.E. Ms. Trinh Thi Tam, Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka and President of the Colombo Plan Council; and Hon. Mr. Khairul Iskandar Bin Md Yusuf, Counsellor, High Commission of Malaysia, Colombo, during the Colombo Plan's 75th Founding Anniversary celebration in Colombo, Sri Lanka

The CPSC Director General, engages in a cordial conversation with H.E. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, on the sidelines of the Colombo Plan's 75th Founding Anniversary celebration