PM Harini Amarasuriya Urges Students to Serve the Nation Beyond Financial Aid
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has urged students not to view higher education opportunities merely as financial assistance, but to use them for national development and service.
She made this appeal while addressing a ceremony held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute in Colombo, where certificates were awarded to students who benefited from a special Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship scheme and a new alumni networking platform was officially launched.
The initiative was introduced to provide financial relief to university students affected by the “Ditwah” cyclone disaster that struck the country late last year. The event also marked the launch of an official Mahapola alumni website connecting past and present scholarship recipients. Minister of Trade Wasantha Samarasinghe also participated in the event, where the platform was inaugurated and certificates were distributed to students selected under the 2023–2024 scholarship programme.
Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister described Mahapola as a highly respected national fund that is well known and widely valued by the people of Sri Lanka. She noted that the fund, initiated by the late Lalith Athulathmudali, has benefited around 500,000 students to date, many of whom now serve in various professional fields locally and internationally.
She said the new alumni network would help strengthen connections between past beneficiaries and current students, enabling knowledge sharing and mentoring for the next generation.
The Prime Minister also highlighted a key national challenge: the relatively low percentage of students progressing to higher education compared to those entering primary education. She expressed concern over the recent decline in students continuing studies after the Ordinary Level examinations, stressing that higher education is not only about obtaining a degree but also about developing professional competence and a broader worldview.
She further stated that strengthening access to higher education is a central objective of the country’s education policy.
Referring to past challenges, she noted that delays in Mahapola payments had previously affected students due to the economic crisis, but said these issues have now been resolved with more efficient management of the fund.
She also announced that the monthly Mahapola allowance, previously Rs. 5,000, has been increased to Rs. 10,000, with implementation scheduled from 2026 under the 2024–2025 planning framework.
The Prime Minister added that the fund will not only provide financial support but will also be developed into a platform for guidance and mentorship through its alumni network.
She concluded by congratulating the scholarship recipients and urging them to use the opportunity not only for personal advancement but also to contribute to the country’s development, calling them future role models for society.
