2026-08-06
News Categories : News
A total of 91,495 students studying in Sri Lanka's state university system are currently receiving Mahapola scholarships and student bursaries, Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya informed Parliament recently.
She said that 60,380 students enrolled at universities under the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka, and the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka receive Mahapola scholarships. Meanwhile, 31,115 students studying at UGC universities, the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka, the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, the University of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC), and the Ocean University of Sri Lanka receive student bursaries.
The Hon. Prime Minister made these remarks while responding to a Question for Oral Answers raised in Parliament by Hon. Member of Parliament Rohini Kumari Wijerathna.
Under the Mahapola Scholarship Scheme, each eligible student receives a total monthly allowance of Rs. 10,000, comprising Rs. 5,200 contributed by the General Treasury and Rs. 4,800 from the Mahapola Trust Fund. Under the Student Bursary Scheme, each eligible student receives a total monthly bursary of Rs. 9,000, funded entirely through the General Treasury's contribution.
Students of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka and the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka receive Rs. 7,500 per month under the Mahapola Scholarship Scheme and Rs. 9,000 per month as a student bursary.
Under the Nipunatha Sisu Saviya Bursary Scheme at the University of Vocational Technology and the Ocean University of Sri Lanka, students who maintain at least 90% attendance of the prescribed monthly study hours receive a full monthly bursary of Rs. 7,500. Those with 75%–89% attendance receive Rs. 6,500 per month, while students with attendance below 75% are not eligible for the bursary.
The Prime Minister further explained that the University Grants Commission arranges for Treasury contributions required for Mahapola scholarships and student bursaries for students at the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka and the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka to be released at the beginning of each month. Once the funds are received, they are transferred to the Mahapola Trust Fund and the respective universities.
For students under the Nipunatha Sisu Saviya Scheme at the University of Vocational Technology and the Ocean University of Sri Lanka, advance funds are released to the relevant institutions after quarterly estimates are received from vocational training providers, and the bursary payments are credited directly to students' bank accounts on a monthly basis.
2026-08-21
The Supplementary Estimate to provide Rs. 7500 million required by the Government to purchase paddy from the 2026 Yala season was approved by Parliament today (Aug. 21). The debate on the Supplementary Estimate was held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.The Supplementary Estimate was presented to allocate Rs. 7500 million from the funds allocated for projects/programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for 2026, which are expected to remain unutilized during the year, for the purchase of paddy.
2026-08-21
A minute of silence observed in the Chamber to express condolencesParliament today (Aug. 21) expressed its condolences to the late veteran singer Dr. Nanda Malini, recalling her immense contribution to Sri Lankan music and society. Accordingly, a minute of silence was observed in the Chamber following a request by Hon. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.Speaking thereafter, the Prime Minister said she was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Nanda Malini, who was revered as the “golden voice” of Sri Lankan music and who, through her distinctive singing career spanning more than eight decades, enriched the country’s music and culture.The Prime Minister further stated that, as an admirer who had listened to Nanda Malini’s many songs and experienced different moments of life accompanied by those songs, her passing was not merely the loss of an unparalleled artistic personality in Sri Lankan music. It was also the departure of a familiar voice that had been closely connected to our lives and memories, and that had been with us through moments of both happiness and sorrow.She noted that Nanda Malini’s songs were deeply connected to the experiences of generations, and that the memories associated with her beautiful voice are felt even more strongly following her passing. The Prime Minister said that Nanda Malini’s singing career represented not only an era in Sri Lankan music, but also a living expression of the lives of the people, social movements and human emotions of the country.Going beyond singing about human emotions such as love and separation, Nanda Malini gave voice through her songs to the sorrow, fear, hopes and struggles of ordinary people, the Prime Minister recalled. That was why, when listening to her songs, people heard not merely the voice of a singer, but the voice of their own society.The Prime Minister said that, at this moment of mourning Nanda Malini’s passing, she was remembering not only an incomparable artist who had been lost to Sri Lankan music, but also a beloved voice that was connected to many memories in the lives of the people. She also noted that although the voice that had accompanied the people for decades has now fallen silent, the songs she sang would continue to live on in their memories and hearts. She expressed her deepest condolences to Nanda Malini’s two daughters and all members of her family, as well as to the people of Sri Lanka who loved her singing voice.Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that he personally knew Dr. Nanda Malini and described her as one of the greatest singers produced by Sri Lanka. He said she was an artist who never bowed to anyone and who always stood up for the people, possessing an exceptional sense of humanity, kindness and compassion.Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, who also spoke on the occasion, said that he joined the sentiments expressed in the Chamber in memory of the late Dr. Nanda Malini. On behalf of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, he expressed the hope that she may attain Nibbana.
2026-08-20
The Committee on Parliamentary Business, which met today (Aug. 20) under the chairmanship of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, decided to take up for debate tomorrow, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Supplementary Estimate seeking approval for the allocation of Rs. 7500 million (7.5 billion) required by the Government to purchase paddy during the 2026 Yala season.The Supplementary Estimate has been presented to provide Rs. 7.5 billion from the funds allocated in 2026 for projects and programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, which are expected to remain unutilized during the current year, for the purpose of making the required payments.Thereafter, the Adjournment Motion to be presented by the Government is scheduled to be debated from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
2026-08-20
The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament today (Aug. 20). The debate on the Second Reading of the Bill was held from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thereafter, the Bill was passed without a vote.The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill was introduced to increase the fines applicable to offences under the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act No. 47 of 1956, from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 100,000.
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