The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is a professional exchange program funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The mission of IVLP is to offer current and emerging international leaders the opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of American political, economic, social and cultural life through carefully designed exchanges that reflect participants’ professional interests and the public diplomacy objectives of the United States government.

The exchange brings up to 5,000 professional emerging leaders from around the world to the United States each year for programs of up to three weeks. The program is nomination only by staff at U.S. Embassies.

Links –

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Visitor_Leadership_Program

http://eca.state.gov/ivlp/about-ivlp

In 2008 immediately upon his return from the UK he was named amongst the 10 “Outstanding Young Persons” in Sri Lanka (TOYP) for legal accomplishment

As a 16 year old student I was picked to represent Sri Lanka on an AFS International Award to Perth, WA for a period of one year, with 43 other participants globally