THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN SRI LANKA
AmCham Bootcamp 2025 Kicks Off in Cooperation with U.S. Embassy
Colombo, Sri Lanka – The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham SL), in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, proudly launched the second edition of the AmCham Bootcamp 2025 on March 25. The initiative continues to serve as a premier mentorship and professional development platform for young Sri Lankan talent, fostering leadership, career skills, and industry exposure.
The Bootcamp pairs 20 promising mentees—drawn from both public and private universities across diverse disciplines, including IT, marketing, HR, finance, and international relations—with 20 esteemed mentors from AmCham SL’s Board and member organizations. This six-to-eight-week program offers not only internship placements in leading companies but also career and life skills training, field visits to corporate offices and manufacturing facilities, and leadership development sessions with corporate executives.
U.S. Ambassador H.E. Julie J. Chung, speaking at the launch event, emphasized the significance of harnessing the leadership and ideas of American companies to nurture the next generation of business leaders. “The U.S. Embassy is proud to support this program, which offers a unique opportunity for Sri Lankan students to receive one-on-one mentorship from industry leaders at the forefront of their fields. American companies are dedicated to developing the next generation of business leaders, and we believe that the prosperity of the United States grows when American companies can attract and nurture top talent from around the world.”
Rasika Karunatilake, Board Member of AmCham and lead of the Bootcamp, highlighted the Chamber’s dedication to bridging the gap between academia and the corporate sector. “The AMCHAM Bootcamp is a holistic soft-skills internship: the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. The program will enable high achieving graduates to connect on a one-to-one basis with their Mentors – all of whom are senior corporate leaders at AmCham member companies. The program also focuses heavily on learning and development initiatives and gives exposure to multiple industries through field visits, periodic assessments, and a pitch contest. The overarching aim of the program is to produce future business leaders who are industry ready from day 1.”
As the exclusive event partner, Mastercard has played a crucial role in enabling this initiative. Sandun Hapugoda, Country Manager of Mastercard Sri Lanka & Maldives, remarked, “Mentorship and industry exposure are crucial for the development of young
professionals, equipping them with the real-world skills needed to thrive. The AmCham Bootcamp plays an essential role in bridging the gap between academia and the corporate sector, providing invaluable hands-on experience. Through this program, we witness future leaders gaining not only technical expertise but also the critical leadership skills required to drive innovation and success in their careers.”
Reflecting on last years’ experience, Vimoksha Jayasinghe, a past participant, shared, “I am truly grateful to be a part of the mentorship program which has been organized by AmCham. I had the privilege of being mentored by Mr. Bertrum Paul, the CEO of Caltex Lubricants Plc. During this time, I had the unique opportunity to visit their Sapugaskanda plantation, gaining invaluable insights into business strategies and the corporate world. Within a short period, Mr. Paul and his team guided me on how to navigate the industrial landscape, and I am thankful for the knowledge and the experience I’ve gained through this remarkable opportunity”.
With a robust lineup of activities, the AmCham Bootcamp 2025 is set to empower yet another group of future business leaders, reinforcing the Chamber’s mission to cultivate a skilled, adaptable, and globally competitive workforce.
Media Contact:
Chathumini Rajapakshe (Ms.)
Coordinator – PR, Communications and Media Relations
AmCham Sri Lanka
Telephone [D] +94 112 300116 | Mobile +94 70 351 8749
Email PR@amcham.lk
For more details on AmCham’s upcoming events, visit www.amcham.lk / Join our WhatsApp Group https://chat.whatsapp.com/DbLIzes40PK9sYdQBckK0c
