Amazing America – Ambassador Bob Blake’s brainchild and the first ever exclusively American education fair in SL was held on September 5th and 6th 2008 at the Colombo Hilton.

Of the 18 schools that participated 8 were Priyanthi’s partners. From Ohio there were five – University of Cincinnati, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio University, Shawnee State University & Wright State University. From Kentucky came Northern Kentucky University. From Montana it was Montana State University whilst North Dakota State University – one of her strongest partners – traveled from North Dakota.

As was the usual custom Priyanthi had prepared a strenuous schedule for visitors. Her mission was to provide each one of them with the maximum possible exposure within a tight time frame. Dr. Mitch Leventhal of University of Cincinnati who had arrived only at midnight the previous day had to be at the MTV studio at 7 am (Sep 4th) to join Priyanthi at Good Morning Sri Lanka – The country’s premier breakfast show.

On Sep 4th at 9.30 am Prof. Ms.Kshanika Hirimburegama Vice Chancellor University of Colombo welcomed Priyanthi’s partners to UOC. At a meeting held at the Senate they were introduced to all Deans of UOC where opportunities for joint collaborations were discussed. The VC later conveyed that in her memory, this was the first ever occasion where such a large team of foreign university reps had visited the UOC.

Senior Cabinet Minister & the Government Whip Hon.Dinesh Gunewardene MP (University of Oregon class of ’72) joined the delegation at lunch. Whilst the discussion centered mainly on possible collaborations with Lankan institutes of higher education there was equally interesting discussion on how Barack Obama had won the Presidential elections with David Arredendo of Lorain Community College – being the senior Republican official in Elyria disagreeing with the rest on Obama’s ability to lead US!

Lunch was followed by a visit to Odel – Lanka’s premier boutique shop where the management welcomed the delegation warmly. After a relaxed shopping spree the visitors headed to Excel center where the Interact District had organized a meeting with its membership. On Sep 6th Institute of Chemistry in SL invited Dr.Leventhal to sign a MOU bringing both institutes together on a 2+ 2 program. The moment the fair was closed Lanka’s sole Women’s magazine, Lanka Woman was at hand to interview all women reps of Priyanthi on the spot.

Sri Lankan media gave excellent coverage to Priyanthi’s partners. “Good morning Sri Lanka” gave the best possible live coverage where the public could ask questions from Dr.Leventhal on US education. Financial Times covered meetings at UOC & the one with the Minister in their immediate publications whilst Sunday Times education carried their meeting with Interactors on the morning they were leaving – Sunday the 7th. And the Lanka Woman carried it’s impressive interview of all women participants on its immediate issue of October.

Priyanthi once again proved that she could attract the largest group of participants to “Amazing America” helping the US Embassy in the best possible way to making its maiden attempt a roaring success. And each participant realized how well she could handle a large group giving them the maximum exposure with a clock work precision. And all of them agreed with Priyanthi when she said “we definitely are the wife/Husband boutique operation in SL operating from home offering a unique guidance service more as parents than recruiters but we could stand up to any establishment when the occasion demands”.