The MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) scholarship is Japan's flagship government scholarship for international students. Sri Lankan students can apply through two routes: (1) Embassy Recommendation: Apply at the Japanese Embassy in Colombo; deadlines are typically April–June for the following year; includes undergraduate, research, teacher training, and specialist categories; covers full tuition, return airfare, and monthly stipend (¥117,000–¥145,000); (2) University Recommendation: After gaining admission, apply through the host university — university then recommends to MEXT. Requirements: strong academic record (typically 70%+ equivalent), Japanese or English language ability depending on programme, and a compelling research proposal for postgraduate applicants. Competition is extremely high — typically 2–5 scholarships per Sri Lanka per category per year.