Scholarships for tsunami affected children

A.W. Gunawardhana, Matara special corr.

NAWIMANA: Social and economic changes greatly influence education, and this program of awarding scholarships to students is noble, said Senior Superintendent of Police Gamini Weerathunga.

SSP Weerathunga was speaking at a scholarship awarding ceremony conducted by Karlsruhe - German Foundation at Nawimana Maha Viharaya, Nawimana, Matara. "Financial assistance and material gifs had been rare when we were school children.

School uniforms and fancy items such as kit bags were a scarcity," he said. "We were not fortunate as these scholarship holders. Educational equipment and stationary should be within their reach," SSP Weerathunga said.

"Financial assistancevc is a great source of encouragement for a prospective scholar. Only parents sacrifice like this to equip you with material for your education. So you should respect those people who provided these items behalf of your parents, " he said.

He stressed that the best way to pay gratitude to them is to pursue studies with courage and persistence. At this occasion 180 students are accorded with scholarships. SSP Weerathunga further said that a student can't make himself a mature character just by reading books. He has to be critical in everything.

"You must learn essential points by heart, and you must devote your time to studies than being glued into television. Concentrate on your studies. It wil pave the way for the next government agent or the senior superintendent of police to come from Nawimana village itself," he said.

Ven Shastrapathi Yatalamatte Vipassi Thera, founder of Karlsruhe Foundation, said that the Mayor of Karlsurhe visited Sri Lanka to assist tsunami affected people.

We could continue granting scholarships for the third consecutive year because of his patronage. He also thanked the "Daily News" for publishing reports about the scholarship programme.

Former Government Agent S. K. Chandrasoma, Ven Baddegama Kusaladhamma Thera and several others spoke.

HQI Upali Chandrasiri and Principal Nimal Abeyagunawardhana were also present.