Final phase of Sarasavi Diriyo Abhiman scholarship scheme held at Eastern University

The third and final event of the special 'Sarasavi Diriyo Abhiman' scholarship scheme for university students with disabilities was held at the Swami Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies of the Eastern University under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya.

Implemented by the President’s Fund, the initiative provides a one-off scholarship of 100,000 rupees to undergraduate students with disabilities studying at state universities. A total of 50 students from the Eastern University and the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka were awarded scholarships during the ceremony, bringing the total number of recipients across the country to nearly 400 this year following earlier phases held in Colombo and Jaffna.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya stated that providing free education extends beyond distributing books and educational materials to creating an environment where every student can learn with dignity and equality. She noted that the government has launched a project to construct hostel facilities for approximately 16,000 female university students within three years, adding that explicit instructions have been issued to ensure all new accommodation is designed to be fully accessible for students with disabilities.

Speaker of Parliament Dr Jagath Wickramaratne highlighted the nationwide expansion of the President’s Fund, noting that services previously centred in Colombo have been extended to the Divisional Secretariat level and fully digitalised as of 21 June 2025. He disclosed that applications to the fund surged by 59 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024, with a further 43.3 per cent increase recorded in the first eight months of 2026 compared to the corresponding period last year.

Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti described the scholarship programme as a vital measure ensuring financial support for university students with disabilities, reiterating the government's commitment to ensuring no student is left behind.