President to grant 2,500 scholarships to migrant workers’ children

Rasika SOMARATHNA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will hand over scholarships to 2,500 children of migrant workers today in recognition of the contribution of the latter to the country’s economic well - being. Monetary rewards too will be offered for their outstanding achievements in the field of education.

The concept of awarding scholarships to migrant workers’ children was mooted by the President as the Labour Minister in 1996.

Scholarships amounting to Rs 1.5 million were awarded to 156 students in the first year.

Since then, the programme titled ‘Mahindhabimani Scholarships for Migrant Worker Children’ has gone from strength to strength.

Until 2011, 21,843 students received financial scholarships amounting to Rs 412 million to further their education.

The scholarship awards ceremony at Temple Trees today is significant as it will also mark the occasion of President Rajapaksa completing 2,500 days in office.

Under the scholarship scheme, students who passed the Grade Five scholarship examination will receive Rs 15,000, students who passed the GCE (AL) examination will receive Rs 20,000 and students who have gained university entrance will be given Rs 30,000.

Altogether, 2,500 children will receive scholarships amounting to Rs 41 million this year. The programme is carried out by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) under the direction of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera.

Speaking on the importance of the programme, SLBFE chairman Amal Senalankadikara said: “This is a significant project conducted on behalf of the children of migrant workers and is also one of the nation’s premier scholarship awarding campaigns which has seen many students being granted scholarships.

“These scholarships also recognise the contribution made by the the country’s migrant workers by way of rewarding their children for excellence in the field of education. “For their children to be eligible for these scholarships, it is a must for the parents to be registered with the SLBFE prior to their departure overseas.”