President pledges a brighter future for Sri Lankan children

June 20, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced his vision to create a better future for the children of Sri Lanka within the next 5 to 10 years.

He underscored his commitment to alleviating the economic crisis within a two-year timeframe, ensuring no child in the country suffers.

These remarks were made during the Presidential Scholarship Award Ceremony held on the 19th at Temple Trees, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

President Wickremesinghe outlined several key initiatives, including the Aswasuma programme, which provides income support, and the Urumaya programme, aimed at securing land rights.

He also highlighted the Presidential Education Scholarship Programme, which guarantees educational opportunities for children.

Starting in 2022 (2023), 6,000 G.C.E. Advanced Level students, 60 from each of the 100 education zones, will receive educational scholarships of LKR 6,000 per month for two years, from March 2024 until they complete their G.C.E. Advanced Level studies.

Additionally, a scholarship programme for students from grade 1 to grade 11 is being implemented across all 10,126 schools in Sri Lanka, as per President Wickremesinghe’s concept.

The number of scholarships allocated to each school depends on its student enrolment, ranging from a minimum of four to a maximum of 22 scholarships per school.

Starting in April 2024, 100,000 students will receive educational scholarships from the President’s Fund, providing Rs. 3,000 per child per month for 12 months.

At the ceremony, 5,108 students received scholarships and awards, symbolically presented by President Wickremesinghe.

He also took the opportunity to meet with scholarship recipients to learn about their backgrounds and achievements.