Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government believes investments in education should be encouraged to develop highly skilled human resources essential for rebuilding the country, adding that the scholarship programme is a national initiative that reflects the country’s future vision.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the inauguration ceremony of the scholarship programme that provides opportunities for students who excelled in the 2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination to pursue their undergraduate studies at the world’s leading universities. The event was held on 12 March 2026 at the Ministry of Education, Isurupaya.

An investment of Rs. 4,001 million is expected to be allocated for this project.

Under this programme, it is planned to award 200 foreign scholarships to students during the period of 2025 and 2033. As the initial phase of the programme, 32 students have been selected for the 2025/26 academic year, and 9 students have already secured admission to some of the world’s leading universities, including those in Sydney, Melbourne, Monash in Australia, and Auckland in New Zealand.

A transparent selection process has been followed in selecting the students. They are required to pursue their studies in universities ranked within the top 500 of global rankings such as QS, THE, or ARWU.

For each selected student, a maximum financial allocation of Rs. 20 million per year will be provided, with a total of up to Rs. 80 million (Rs. 80,000,000) for the full four-year undergraduate programme.

Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

“Today brings a great satisfaction to the Ministry of Education. As the first phase of a promise we made in our policy statement, scholarships have been awarded today to 33 students who achieved outstanding results in the Advanced Level Examination to pursue higher education abroad. Implementing this programme was not easy. We had to engage in extensive discussions regarding student selection, maintaining transparency, and identifying universities with higher academic standards.

This is not an ordinary scholarship programme. It is a programme that defines the future vision of our country. It provides students with the opportunity to study at some of the world’s leading universities. Therefore, students selected for this programme must demonstrate not only academic excellence but also leadership qualities, personality, and resilience.

To build our country, we need good citizens. We must create a human resource capable of taking the country forward. Countries such as Singapore, China, and Malaysia have progressed by investing in human resource development. We must also follow that path.

Beyond becoming graduates, these scholarship recipients should become individuals capable of making a meaningful impact on society and serving as part of the broader social transformation of our country. This is a long-term investment we are making. We expect you to support fellow students, lead teams, and demonstrate strong character.

No matter the challenges you face including the climate changes, cultural differences, or missing loved ones, you must remain determined and not abandon your journey. Use such challenges to develop your leadership qualities. Even difficult experiences can become opportunities. Learn from new cultures, technologies, and systems of knowledge. Become innovative thinkers who can apply that knowledge to the development of our country.

Gain as much experience as possible. Develop communication skills, empathy, teamwork, and the ability to understand others. Thereby you will be able to deliver the change we expect for the nation. We will never be left alone. In any challenging situation, we are ready to intervene and support you. We will facilitate the necessary coordination and assistance through embassies. If we are to take our country toward social transformation, it must be done through collective effort, protecting and supporting one another. We must create leaders who can guide not only Sri Lanka but the entire world toward a more humane future”.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, officials of the Ministry of Education, and the selected students.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]