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Dialog Merit Scholarship Programme Enters 20th Year in Collaboration with MOE & UGC

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Photographed left to right: Nihal Ranasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education, Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive, Dialog Axiata PLC, and Asanga Priyadarshana, Head of Sustainability and Group Chief of Risk and Compliance, Dialog Axiata PLC

In their shared vision of driving equitable access to education by offering scholarships to students who have become district first at the GCE O/L’s and GCE A/L’s, Dialog Axiata PLC, together with the Ministry of Education and University Grants Commission announced the renewal of their agreement on the Dialog Merit Scholarship programme, marking its 20th year in effect.

The renewal ceremony, held under the patronage of Dr. Susil Premjayanth, Minister of Education, took place at the Ministry of Education. In 2023, 81 high achieving students in G.C.E. Advanced Level examinations and 77 high achieving students in G.C.E. Ordinary Level examinations were were inducted into the prestigious scheme based on their exceptional performance. The induction ceremony, held at the Education Ministry Auditorium, celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of these students. Since its inception in 2002, the Dialog Merit Scholarship scheme has awarded scholarships totalling over Rs. 120 million, fostering academic excellence.

Speaking on the initiative, Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education said, “Dialog and the Ministry of Education recently renewed their agreement for the provision of merit-based scholarships awarded to the highest achievers in the G.C.E. O/L and A/L examination. Originally limited to students proceeding to follow the Physical Science Stream for their A/L studies, the scheme has now been expanded to include students from other streams. This agreement, along with initiatives such as the Nenasa distance education program, demonstrates Dialog’s steadfast dedication to supporting education.”

Commenting, Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC said, “As we renew the Dialog Merit Scholarship program agreement with the Ministry of Education for its remarkable 20th year, we reaffirm our shared vision of fostering equitable access to education. By offering scholarships to exceptional students in-need, we aim to empower the next generation of leaders and changemakers. Together, we will continue to create transformative opportunities that pave the way for a brighter future.”

In line with its commitment to facilitate equitable access to quality education for children, Dialog has invested over Rs. 1 Billion in the education sector to date, encompassing initiatives such as Nenasa TV, Nenasa Smart Schools and Dialog Merit Scholarship programme. Beyond recognising academic brilliance, the Merit Scholarship programme aims to provide transformative opportunities, aligning with Dialog’s broader vision to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. This comprehensive approach reflects Dialog’s dedication to ensuring inclusive, equitable access to education, and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, thereby shaping a brighter and more sustainable future.



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Establishment of a Spectrum Management and Monitoring System and a Quality of Service and Quality of Experience System for the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka

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Approval was granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 2025-10-21 for the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Department of External Resources to work with the Asian Development Bank as an international development partner for the “Digital Transformation Development Project”.

As a main implementing agency of that project, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) requires a Spectrum Management and Monitoring System as well as a System for Quality of Service and Quality
of Experience). It has been identified that the external funding estimate for this requirement has been identified as USD 9.25 million.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Digital Economy to obtain a “Spectrum Management and Monitoring System” and a “System for Quality of Service and Quality of Experience” for the TRCSL under the ADB-funded Digital Transformation Development Project.

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Appointment of a Committee for the Restitution of Sri Lankan Cultural Heritage Held Abroad

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Under Articles 7 and 13 of the UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, rights are conferred upon a state to request the return of cultural property belonging to it that is currently held abroad.

According to a proposal presented by the then Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Phase 1 of the
restitution of Sri Lankan cultural heritage was executed in 2023, where 06 artifacts—including the Lewke Disawa’s Cannon, 02 large cannons, 02 Kasthanes (swords) with scabbards, and a knife with scabbard kept at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands—were officially handed back to Sri Lanka.

It has been recognized as appropriate to appoint a steering committee to directly exchange views further with the Dutch committee regarding the artifact restitution process and to advise the Government of Sri Lanka on restitution work regarding cultural property taken from Sri Lanka during the colonial era.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to appoint a committee titled the “Committee for the Restitution of Sri Lankan Cultural Heritage Held Abroad”, chaired by the Additional Secretary (Cultural Promotion and Foreign Affairs) of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, to provide necessary advice to the Government of Sri Lanka during the restitution process of artifacts taken from Sri Lanka.

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Ten-Year National Action Plan on the Social Protection Sector (2026–2035)

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Approval has been granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 22-07-2024 for Sri Lanka’s National Social Protection Policy.

The National Social Protection Strategy was presented to the Cabinet meeting held on 2025-09-15 to practically implement the aforementioned policy, and the Cabinet of Ministers has
determined to order all secretaries to the ministries to take necessary steps to act in accordance with the aforementioned strategy.

The mentioned National Social Protection Strategy is based on four main pillars: social subsidies, social protection, social insurance, the labor market, and productive inclusion.

Accordingly, the National Action Plan (2026-2035) on the social protection sector has been prepared as a tool for the practical implementation of the said strategy. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the joint resolution furnished by the Minister of Labour, Minister of Women and Child Affairs,
and Minister of Rural Development, Social Protection, and Community Empowerment to implement the National Action Plan on the Social for the Social Protection Sector (2026-2035) in line with the National Social Protection Strategy.

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