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The Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) was the brainchild of the Late Sirimavo Bandaranaike, a former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and also the world’s first woman Prime Minister. It was with great passion and dedication that she pioneered and nurtured the BCIS since its initiation in 1974.

The BCIS was conceptualized at a time when the subject of International Relations had not taken precedence as a fundamental area of study among the Sri Lankan student populace. However it was also a glorious time in Sri Lanka’s history of foreign relations, Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike herself playing a monumental and notable role in international affairs during her tenure from 1970-1977. It is indeed laudable that Mrs. Bandaranaike should have envisioned the pre-eminence that the study of international relations would achieve in future years, with the emergence of shifting global trends and power blocs that has transformed it from an exclusive subject of political science to a specialized field of study.

The BCIS was established by the S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation (BNMF) as a distinct institute specializing in all aspects of International Relations, including training, research and advanced studies. The specialty of its courses is evident in embracing a national, regional and developing country’s perspective to the study of international relations, international law and diplomacy. International Relations has come to embrace many areas of study, including History, Political Science, Law and Human Rights, Diplomacy and Economics.

While the courses are intended to provide an academic and general education in the field of International Relations, they are nevertheless carefully structured to serve the needs of public and private sector personnel. They provide vital education and training to serve in national institutions and international organizations such as the UN, the World Bank and leading Non-Governmental Organisations and Sri Lanka’s diplomatic missions abroad.

The BCIS is managed by an Honorary Chairman and a Board of Studies appointed by H.E the President under the ambit of the S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation Law, No. 2 of 1975. The BCIS was granted Charity Status by Gazette Notification No. 175 of 01st August 1975 (Ref. L.D.-B 7/63) under section 16(a) of Inland Revenue Act No. 4 of 1963. In adhering to its status of a not-for-profit academic institute, the BCIS has maintained an impeccable reputation for offering study programmes of value that provide up to date knowledge in international relations by an equally eminent panel of academics.

International Relations Division
The International Relations Division of the BCIS was created with the objective of disseminating theoretical knowledge on the discipline of International Relations and allied disciplines with the intention of fostering friendly relations amongst nations. The Division’s areas of operation include: a)	Conducting Regular Academic Programmes in International Relations

Objective: 1.To disseminate theoretical knowledge in International Relations and related disciplines

a.Certificate Course in International Relations

b.Diploma in International Relations

c.Higher Diploma in International Relations

d.Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations

2.	Short-Term Courses Objective: To offer tailor-made courses to specific target groups E.g. Short-term courses on Current Affairs for the Armed Forces 3.	Foundation Lecture Series Objective: To create a sustained platform for the discussion of current world affairs

Language & Cultural Studies Division
The objective of the Language & Cultural Studies Division of the BCIS is to promote the learning of foreign and local languages and their cultures among Sri Lankans. The Division is also tasked with promoting the learning of Sinhala and Tamil languages among the expatriate and local communities.

The LCSD offers three competency levels of language learning. Accordingly the objective of each language programme is:

Beginners’ Level: An introductory programme to the language, giving students a basic knowledge of the language, while introducing them to key words and expressions.

Intermediate Level: Develop the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing of the language being taught.

Advanced Level: To produce fluent speakers with the confidence to exhibit ease of speech in any given situation.

The languages offered at BCIS are :

English, French , Chinese , Spanish , German , Italian ,Arabic , Japanese , Russian , Korean , Hindi, Sinhala, Tamil

The Library
The Centre has its own specialized Library with over 16,000 volumes dedicated to International Relations in addition to all important foreign and local journals and newspapers. The BCIS library is also a depository library of the United Nations. The library consists of lending and reference sections and Digital Resources Centre.

Reference

 * www.bmich.gov.lk
 * BCIS HandBook 1980
 * S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation Law, No. 2 of 1975.
 * Gazette Notification No. 175 of 01st August 1975 (Ref. L.D.-B 7/63)
 * Inland Revenue Act No. 4 of 1963.
 * Foreign Policy Research Institute., retrieved 2013-10-26
 * Global Development Network., retrieved 2013-10-21
 * China Institute of International Studies., retrieved 2013-10-21
 * Academia.edu., retrieved 2013-10-22