02. EDUCATION SECTOR
1. The Presidential Scholarship Scheme
A special committee of officers headed
by the then Secy./Education & Higher Education was appointed
by H.E. in 1995 to study and make recommendations on how best
opportunities for higher education could be made available
both locally and abroad to certain identified category of
persons which included serving public officers, children of
public officers, performing artistes, sculptors, journalists,
university academic staff etc. On the recommendations made
by the Special Committee it has been approved granting scholarships
to different categories of persons referred to above both
in local and foreign universities to undergo training courses
both short term/long term in postgraduate studies in certain
specialized areas that had been identified as being of special
relevance to the economic advancement of the country.
The number of scholarships granted
under this scheme are as follows:
1999 - 100
2001 - 175
2003 - 180
2005 - 195
2. Presidential Financial
Assistance for school applicants for the G.C.E.(A/L)
Examination
A scholarship scheme called the Presidential
Millennium Scholarship Scheme for students sitting the G.C.E.
(A/L) Exam. was formulated in 2001. A large number of students
who qualify for Advance Level drop out of school after the
G.C.E.(O/L) Exam. due to financial difficulties. The above
mentioned scheme is intended to provide financial assistance
to needy, talented students so that they can continue their
studies up to the G.C.E. (A/L) Exam.
This scheme awarded 60 scholarships per zone for under privileged
students in rural areas.
This scheme was reviewed on the instructions
of His Excellency the President and now, the scholarships
granted will be 100 scholarships per zone and a sum of Rs.
500/- will be granted per student monthly.
03. Presidential Centres for Culture
& Sports
Representations made to H.E. the President and surveys done
by the Office of the President have revealed the need for
establishing Cultural & Sports Centres in all the districts.
Major towns, other than Colombo & Kandy do not possess
these facilities. Therefore, it has been decided to construct
Presidential Cultural and Sports Centres in the Districts.
The objective of this project is to construct Presidential
Cultural & Sports Centres to help the youth in the districts
to develop skills and abilities in sports and the Arts. Further,
these Centres will provide recreational facilities for the
youth in the locality.
This centre will comprise a Gymnasium with modern
equipment, a Swimming Pool, a large hall for performing dramas
and ballets with facilities for practicing music, dancing
along with rooms for a library and Cafeteria.
The construction of Kuliyapitiya & Sammanthure
centres have been completed. Construction of main buildings
of Anuradhapura & Mahiyangana centres have also been completed.
Construction of Gampaha & Polonnaruwa centres are in progress.
04. Financial Assistance from
the P/F to the Ranaviru Seva Authority for Ranaviru
Housing Scheme :
A housing programme was launched on 17.07.2000 mainly having
as the target beneficiaries those combatants in the Army, Navy,
Air Force and Police, defending the unity, sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Sri Lanka in the North, but also targeting a few
disabled in action and some families of those missing and killed
in action. This welfare project was launched because lack of
adequate housing was a major problem for Ranaviru.
Following grants have been made for this purpose. :-
1. Rs. 30,971,325/- on 04.09.2001 to build 300
houses
2. Rs. 30,971,925 on 08.01.2002 to build 300 houses
3. Rs. 20,647,550/- on 23.04.2002 to build 200 houses
05. Financial assistance from the
P/F to the Ranaviru Seva Authority for Ranaviru
Seva Remembrance Park
A National War Heroes’ Remembrance Park was established
to honour and commemorate those who have laid their lives
for the safeguard of the motherland during the conflict. The
Task of developing the Park with the assistance of private
sector participation was assigned to Ranaviru Seva Authority.
Under this project it was decided to engrave
21,567 numbers of names in 1100 granite slabs to be installed
in the Remembrance Park.
A sum of Rs.7M was granted on 04.05.2004 from
the President’s Fund for engraving 1100 plaques each
consisting of 20 names making a total of 21,567 names of those
killed in action and missing in action.
06. Payment of Compensation to victims
of Election violence during the General Election
– 2001
It was decided to grant Rs.75,000/- to the next of kin
of 65 victims who were killed during the 2001 General Election
without any discrimination. Accordingly, a total sum of Rs.
Rs. 4,875,000/- was paid from the President’s Fund.
|
