High Commissioner Gopal Baglay, Sri Lankan Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, and State Minister of Education A. Aravindh Kumar bestowed the esteemed Mahatma Gandhi Scholarships upon 300 Advanced Level school students from all 25 districts in Sri Lanka. The ceremony, held on May 18, commemorated the students' academic accomplishments.
Valued at LKR 2500 per student per month, the scholarships are awarded based on merit and means to the top six students from each district. During the event, High Commissioner Baglay emphasized the significance of educational collaboration between the two countries for the prosperous future of their youth. Drawing parallels between Buddha's teachings and Mahatma Gandhi's ideals, he underscored their enduring relevance in today's rapidly changing world. Baglay encouraged the students to explore the educational opportunities in India, which is experiencing remarkable advancements in the field.
Education Minister Premajayantha expressed gratitude to the Government of India for providing the Mahatma Gandhi Scholarships and various other scholarships and opportunities in prestigious institutions like IITs. He acknowledged these initiatives' pivotal role in fostering Sri Lanka's human resources. Minister Premajayantha paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi's educational philosophy and extended appreciation to the Government of India for supporting the printing of textbooks for Sri Lankan children.
Apart from the Mahatma Gandhi scholarships, the Government of India annually offers approximately 210 scholarships across fields such as Engineering, Technology, Arts, Science, and Indigenous Medicine to Sri Lankan students. The ITEC scheme presents over 400 fully paid scholarship slots for Sri Lankan Government officials to enhance their domain knowledge. Furthermore, the “Study in India” program provides seats for Sri Lankan students aspiring to pursue education in India.