Prof. E. A. Weerasinghe, the Founder and Vice Chancellor of NSBM Green University has been awarded the JaGAAS Life-Time Award by the Japanese Graduates’ Alumni Association of Sri Lanka (JaGAAS). This distinguished award recognizes and honors Prof. Weerasinghe as a distinguished Sri Lankan alumnus of a Japanese institution who has made significant contributions to Sri Lanka, particularly in transforming the nation’s higher education landscape.

This honour was presented to Prof. Weerasinghe at the inaugural JaGAAS Life-Time Awards – 2025 ceremony held on March 21, 2025, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). The JaGAAS Life-Time Awards is organized in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in Colombo, JICA, and representatives of the Japanese community in Sri Lanka. The event served as a distinguished platform that honoured, seven distinguished Japanese alumni and ten accomplished Sri Lankan alumni of Japanese institutions who have leveraged their education and experience to drive progress in Sri Lanka’s economy and society.

The ceremony was graced by His Excellency Akio Isomata, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, as the Chief Guest, with the JICA Representative in Sri Lanka serving as the Guest of Honour.

Prof. E. A. Weerasinghe, a distinguished scholar and visionary leader, has played a transformative role in revolutionizing Sri Lanka’s higher education system. As a recipient of the prestigious Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship, Prof. Weerasinghe pursued his PhD in Japan, where he was profoundly influenced by Japan’s disciplined work culture, innovation-driven mindset, and commitment to excellence. Upon returning to Sri Lanka, he applied these values in his role as the Director General of the National Institute of Business Management (NIBM), transforming it into a dynamic, modern institution within just five years.

His most pioneering achievement is the establishment of NSBM Green University — a groundbreaking vision that became a reality in 2016. Since then, Prof. Weerasinghe’s visionary leadership has led NSBM Green University to become a premiere higher educational institute, having produced over 20,000 graduates and currently nurturing more than 13,000 students across five faculties.

The JaGAAS Lifetime Award stands as a powerful testament to Prof. Weerasinghe’s enduring dedication, far-sighted vision, and profound contributions — marking a defining milestone in his distinguished career and his lasting impact on education and national development.