President Mahinda Rajapakse has said that the future of the country will be vested for the children of the nation. The president made these comments at a function held at Temple Trees today in connection with awarding of Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship to the 2009 – 2010 university entrants. The President also reminded with respect the founder of the Mahapola Scholarship Scheme the former minister Lalith Ethulathmudali. The Mahapola Scholarship Scheme was initiated in 1981 with the objective of providing scholarships for achieving higher education goals and to improve higher education facilities. Up to now 180 thousand scholarships have been provided under the scheme. The President said that 12,500 scholarships will be awarded this year.
Speaking at this function the Minister of Higher Education S.B.Dissanayake said that the studentship of anyone who indulges in ragging in the universities will be cancelled. He said the government will provide appropriate English knowledge for the university students to win the world.
The Ministers Johnston Fernando and Bandula Gunawardena also spoke at this function.