Canadian High Commissioner visits University of Jaffna

Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Isabelle Martin visited the University of Jaffna on Tuesday as part of her official tour of the Northern Province, holding discussions with the university’s senior leadership and academic staff.

During the visit, the High Commissioner met with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor C. Sirisathkunarajah, before engaging in further discussions with Deans of the faculties, the Registrar, the Bursar, the Librarian, and the Heads of the Departments of Political Science, Economics, and Translation Studies.

According to the university, the meetings focused on a range of contemporary issues, including prevailing political and economic conditions, as well as ongoing academic and institutional projects supported by the Canadian High Commission. The discussions also examined the role of higher education institutions in post-war recovery, governance, and socio-economic development in the Northern Province.

Isabelle Martin is a career diplomat who joined Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1996. At headquarters, she served as Director of Diplomatic Corps Services and Deputy Chief of Protocol from 2010 to 2013, before becoming Special Adviser on national security issues at Global Affairs Canada until 2018.

Prior to her current appointment, she served as Canada’s ambassador to Qatar. In July 2025, Martin was appointed Canada’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.