Sri Lankan Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and High Commissioner of India Y. K. Sinha awarded the scholarships to the meritorious students Monday (June 20) at a special ceremony held at the Auditorium of Ministry of Education in Battaramulla.
The Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship, a merit-cum-means based Scholarship instituted in 2006-07 for Sri Lankan students, is awarded annually by the High Commission of India in cooperation with the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka.
Recipients receive cash assistance during their two years of 'A' level studies. The High Commission of India has increased the scholarship amount from Rs.2,000 to 2,500 per month from 2015-16 onwards and accordingly, this year's awardees will receive Rs.30,000 annually during their two years 'A' level studies.
High Commissioner, while addressing the gathering, highlighted the various scholarship schemes Government of India is offering to Sri Lankan students and the educational projects undertaken in Sri Lanka under the development cooperation programs, which included opening of English Language Labs, renovation of schools and establishment of Agriculture and Engineering Faculties at the Kilinochchi campus of Jaffna University.
Minister of Education of Sri Lanka, in his speech, recalled the robust Indo-Sri Lanka historical relationships and appreciated the Mahatma Gandhi scholarship scheme commenced in 2006, which has benefited 950 meritorious students so far, and other educational projects supported by Government of India for the betterment of educational facilities in Sri Lanka.
The 150 students (six each from 25 districts) were selected in January 2016 by a joint selection committee comprising officials from the High Commission of India and the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka, based on performance of the student in the 'O' level examinations and in an interview.
The students selected for the Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship will also be eligible to apply for various undergraduate scholarships and self-financed schemes awarded by the Government of India. Under these schemes, students can pursue undergraduate courses in various reputed institutes and Universities in India. Most of the students who received this scholarship in the past have gone on to excel in their chosen fields of study at the undergraduate and higher levels.
