Dr. Jagath Seneviratne has been recognized with a 2025 Global Recognition Award for changing access to higher education in Sri Lanka while addressing environmental and economic challenges through innovation and service. His work covers three critical sectors: democratizing university education for disadvantaged youth, creating international employment pathways for skilled workers, and implementing sustainable water solutions in rural communities. The award recognizes his world-class achievements in leadership, service, innovation, and mentoring—areas where his initiatives have generated a measurable impact at national and international levels.

Seneviratne serves as the owner and president of KIU University, one of Sri Lanka’s most trusted private universities, recognized by the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, as well as the University Grants Commission. KIU has enabled over 6,000 economically disadvantaged students to access higher education through the Government Interest-Free Student Loan Scheme, which provides financial support that would otherwise be unavailable to young people from rural areas and low-income families. The university admitted 2,737 students under this program in 2022 alone, representing the highest intake among all non-state universities in the country and demonstrating Seneviratne’s commitment to educational equity.

His selection for this recognition followed a rigorous evaluation process where shortlisted applicants were assessed using the Rasch model, which creates a linear measurement scale for each category and enables precise comparisons between candidates who excel in different areas. The screening panel, composed of industry experts selected for their expertise and impartiality, evaluated candidates based on industry recognition, innovation, leadership, service, sustainability, and social responsibility. Seneviratne received the highest rating of 5—denoting exceptional or world-class achievement—across all 21 evaluation criteria covering leadership, service, innovation, and mentoring, which positioned him among the most accomplished individuals in his field.

Bridging Education With Economic Opportunity

Seneviratne extended his impact beyond academia by creating sustainable employment pathways for Sri Lankan workers through his role as chairman of EIPER International (Private) Limited. This government-licensed recruitment agency holds full recognition under the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and operates within the Japan OTIT system. EIPER has facilitated international job placements for thousands of Sri Lankan professionals—particularly nurses, caregivers, and skilled workers—through partnerships with organizations across Japan, Australia, Germany, Canada, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and Vietnam. The agency developed a comprehensive model that combines language training, professional development, and ethical recruitment practices to ensure fair treatment and career advancement for workers overseas. This approach has helped thousands of families achieve financial stability while contributing to the national economy through foreign remittances.

His recruitment model addresses a critical gap in Sri Lanka’s labor market by connecting qualified professionals with global opportunities while maintaining ethical standards that protect workers from exploitation and ensure their long-term career growth. The initiative reduces unemployment domestically while strengthening international economic ties through sustainable employment practices that benefit sending and receiving countries. Seneviratne’s approach demonstrates that labor migration can serve as a tool for economic development when implemented with proper safeguards, training programs, and ongoing support systems that prioritize worker welfare alongside organizational efficiency.

Environmental Leadership Through Community Action

His environmental work centers on his leadership as president of Green Cross Sri Lanka (GCSL), an organization affiliated with Green Cross International, founded by Mikhail Gorbachev. He has directed nationwide sustainability programs addressing water scarcity and environmental education for nearly two decades. The Smart Water Projects, supported by Giorgio Armani’s Acqua for Life and Green Cross Japan, provided clean drinking water to over 1,200 rural families in drought-stricken regions where access to safe water had been virtually nonexistent. These installations directly improved public health outcomes by reducing waterborne diseases in communities that previously relied on contaminated sources, which resulted in measurable decreases in illness rates and associated healthcare costs.

The Green Lane Diary Project has educated tens of thousands of schoolchildren about environmental stewardship and sustainability practices through curriculum-integrated programs that combine classroom learning with practical conservation activities. More than 50 students and teachers from Sri Lanka have represented the country at global eco-education forums in Japan, extending the program’s impact beyond national borders and creating ambassadors for environmental action within their communities. His environmental initiatives demonstrate a model for addressing resource scarcity through community-based solutions that combine international partnerships with local implementation, while building capacity to ensure long-term sustainability beyond initial infrastructure improvements.

Final Words

Dr. Jagath Seneviratne’s achievements demonstrate a unified approach to social development that integrates education, employment, and environmental sustainability, showing that entrepreneurship can serve as a vehicle for building human potential rather than simply generating profit. Each component of his work—from university access to international recruitment and water infrastructure—addresses systemic barriers that limit opportunity for disadvantaged populations and creates pathways for economic mobility that would not otherwise exist. His initiatives share common characteristics, including measurable outcomes, adherence to ethical standards, and the development of sustainable systems rather than temporary interventions that fail to create lasting change.

The 6,000 students who gained university access, the thousands of families with international employment, and the 1,200 households with clean water represent tangible evidence of his impact across multiple sectors that collectively strengthen communities and create opportunities for advancement. “Dr. Seneviratne has demonstrated exceptional ability to identify critical gaps in education, employment, and environmental services, then develop scalable solutions that generate lasting social impact,” said Alex Sterling, spokesperson for Global Recognition Awards. His recognition with a 2025 Global Recognition Award acknowledges his individual achievements and his model for combining innovation with social responsibility to create inclusive development that changes lives through compassion, strategic vision, and consistent commitment to ethical leadership.