On March 24, the opening ceremony for the HUST---SLIDA training program on China Public Administration Practice,the first cooperative training program on Public Administration between China and Sri Lanka,was held at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST). 24 senior-level officialsfrom Ministry of Higher Education & Research, Ministry of Law & Order, Consumer Affairs Authority and other ministries and departments of the Sri Lankan Governmentparticipated in the 11-day program.

Lead by the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), the premier public sector training institute in Sri Lanka, the delegation not only took part in the lectures related to Chinese economic reforms,public administration, and Chinese political systems, but they also observed provincial and local government offices, innovation centers and Government Service Centers;these trips helped them to better understand the political and administrative system of China, functions of the various levels of government offices and theE-government innovation and practice.

Modarage Thilakasiri,Additional Director General of SLIDAas well as the leader of the delegation, said, “During my time here, I visited a medical organization in Optics Valley. This helped me understand that electronic governance plays a vital role in the field of medical information development. When we return to Sri Lanka, we will try our best to establish an e-governance systembased on China’s successfulmodels andpractice.”

Modarage Thilakasiri explained thatHUST and SLIDA signed anagreement in 2013 that encouraged cooperation in the field of public administration and management. Government officials’ training program is the first step implemented under the MOU between the two sides. In the near future, HUST and SLIDA will create joint master’s and doctoral degree programs in the field of public administration for Sri Lankan government officials andwill work together to promote more communication and cooperation between China and Sri Lanka.