'Deshamanya Dr. P.R. Anthonis Scholarship Awards'

The Board of Trustees of the Vajirarama Temple Bambalapitiya will present 'Deshamanya Dr. P.R. Anthonis Scholarship Awards' to bright and deserving students who have passed December 2004 G.C.E. (O/L) in the first sitting and presently following G.C.E. (A/L) classes.

The Scholarship Award winners will be provided with Rs. 500/= per month for the period from March 2006 to April 2007 and a certificate. Students who obtained outstanding results at GCE (O/L) December 2004 examination as well as being a permanent resident close to Vajirarama Temple (Bambalapitiya, Kolluptiya, Wellawatte, Thimbirigasyaya, and Havelock Town), a student of Vajirarama Dhamma School and limited income capacity of Parents will qualify for selection.

Deshamanya Dr. P.R. Anthonis is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Bambalapitiya Vajiraramaya Temple since he took over the responsibility from his father the late Polwattaarachchige Magris Anthonis. Incidentally, the late father of Dr. Anthonis had been one of the five founder members of the Board of Trustees when it was established in 1940.

Being a neighbour of the Vajirarama Temple he has immensely contributed towards this valuable Buddhist institution well-known for propagation of Buddhism worldwide for over a century.

Born on 21.01.1911, his academic achievements is of par excellence and still holds the record of obtaining highest number of prizes at St. Peter's College as well as at the Medical College, Colombo during a single year.

Dr. Anthonis' contribution to the nation, is most outstanding. He was Chancellor of the University of Colombo from 1981 to 2003, the first recipient of the Deshamanya Title.

The College of General Practitioners' Sri Lanka presented Dr. P.R. Anthonis with the prestigious 'Pride of the Medical Profession of Sri Lanka Award' in 2005 the highest award in medicine in Sri Lanka.

Selection of the Scholarship award winners will be carried out by a Committee appointed by the 'Board of Trustees' consisting of Dr K.D.G. Wimalaratne- Former Director National Archives (Chairman) , Dr G. Bandarage- Dean, Faculty of Natural Sciences Open University, Senior Lecturer, Colombo University. Sandagomi Coperahewa. The list of award winners released by the Board of Trustees is final.

A standard application form is available at following addresses:

Sarath Karunaweera. 20A, Janaki Lane, - Colombo 04. Chandrika Clifford 38 1/1, Vajira Road, Colombo 05. Nelli Perera No.2, Vajira Road, Colombo 04.

Closing date of applications is February 20, 2006.