SLYCAN Trust and Rajarata University of Sri Lanka have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen institutional collaboration on research, knowledge development and capacity-building related to climate action and sustainable development.
The MoU was signed at the Rajarata University premises on 15 October 2026 by SLYCAN Trust Chief Operating Officer Anura Sathurusinghe and Rajarata University Vice Chancellor Prof. P.M.B. Jayathilaka.
Building on the existing relationship between the two institutions, the agreement provides a framework for joint research, policy engagement and other activities that draw on their respective expertise and networks.
Areas of collaboration under the MoU include sustainable food systems and plant-based proteins, climate change adaptation and resilience, climate-related loss and damage, and ethical, sustainable and climate-friendly entrepreneurship.
The partnership will also focus on research, policy engagement and capacity-building to support food systems transformation and community-based approaches to climate resilience.
Furthermore, the partnership will create opportunities for students, researchers and young entrepreneurs to connect academic research with practical applications, particularly in sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation. This work could draw on existing initiatives and networks of both institutions.
“We see this partnership as an opportunity to build a longer-term collaboration that draws on the strengths and experience of both institutions. We hope to develop a shared understanding of where our priorities align and identify ways in which we can contribute to each other’s work. This is an important starting point for building a partnership that can grow and evolve over time,” said Sathurusinghe.
Meanwhile, Prof. Jayathilaka highlighted the university’s expertise and the importance of establishing a clear roadmap for the collaboration.
“Rajarata University has expertise across several faculties and departments, including our Centre for Excellence in Climate Change Studies, which can contribute to this collaboration. We would like to identify key areas of collaboration where our academics and students can actively contribute. Having a clear roadmap for the next three to five years would help us bring together expertise from across the university and take this partnership forward in a more focused and meaningful way,” he said.
Rajarata University Registrar S.C. Herath and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture Prof. M.H.J.P. Gunarathna signed as witnesses on behalf of the university, while SLYCAN Trust Manager of Communications and Outreach Indika Sakalasooriya and Researcher and Junior Manager of Youth Programmes Thilini Gunathilake signed as witnesses on behalf of SLYCAN Trust.
Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Systems Dr. Chinthaka Karalliyadda, who initiated and facilitated the partnership, also attended the signing ceremony.
The partnership forms part of SLYCAN Trust’s broader engagement with academic and research institutions to support evidence-based research, knowledge exchange and capacity-building on climate change and sustainable development.
SLYCAN Trust is a non-profit think tank working on climate change, sustainable development, risk management, finance, food systems, entrepreneurship, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, just transition, and social justice, including gender and youth empowerment. Its work spans policy analysis and evidence-based research, capacity-building, technical support and on-the-ground implementation.
