A cultural exchange program uniting Japanese and Sri Lankan students was held from 17^th August to 23^rd August 2023.

This initiative was organized by the UNSDGs in collaboration with the Department of Modern Languages, University of Kelaniya. 18 students from Japan, 42 members of UNSDGs, 15 undergraduates from the Japanese Unit in the Department of Modern Languages, University of Kelaniya, and 5 high school students from Sri Lanka participated in the program.

The Japanese team was warmly welcomed by the students at the University of Kelaniya and high school students studying Japanese Language at the Granbell Hotel in Colombo. They attended a meeting at the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) in Sri Lanka and visited the Parliament of Sri Lanka, and the President's House. The team then embarked on a journey to explore Sri Lanka's cultural and natural wonders, including the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, the New Giragama Tea Factory, the University of Peradeniya, and the Temple of the Tooth Relic. They also visited the Amaya Lake Hotel in Dambulla.

The team also visited the University of Kelaniya, where they attended a special lecture led by H.E. Mr. Mizukoshi Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka. Additionally, a panel discussion was conducted, featuring notable participants such as Mrs. Anna Suzuki, Secretary of the Ambassador, Mr. Sakurazawa from JICA, Mr. Sato from Granbell Hotel, Mr. Kawano, President of Japanese School, Prof. Ananda Kumara from a Japanese University, and a staff member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ven. Prof. Nedalagamuwe Dhammadinna Thero, Head of the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Kelaniya, and Professor Dilrukshi Ratnayaka, Department of Modern Languages also actively participated in the engaging discussions.

Presentations were done on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by student pairs at the NYSC. Certificates of participation were distributed, and the day concluded with a farewell party. The program concluded with an exciting cricket match at Royal College in Colombo, fostering ties between the two cultures.