A special event for the awarding of scholarships and cheques to selected university students with special needs through the President’s Fund was held successfully today – on Saturday 22 August 2026, at the Jaffna District Secretariat Auditorium. Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the event as the Chief Guest and presented the cheques to the students.
The Hon. Speaker of the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, the Hon. Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources and the Chairman of the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee, Ramalingam Chandrasekhar, the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, Hon. Members of Parliament K. Ilankumaran, J. Rajeevan and the first person with a disability to be elected to Parliament in the history of Sri Lanka Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva, participated in the event as special guests.
Under this programme, cheques worth one hundred thousand rupees each and certificates were awarded to a total of 76 students with special needs from the University of Jaffna (68), University of Vavuniya (07) and University of Peradeniya (01). The event was organised in a very simple manner, avoiding lavish cultural performances, and 7 students who use wheelchairs as well as other students who use prosthetic limbs also benefited.
Awarding the cheques to the students and addressing the gathering, Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said,
All of you who have overcome all the challenges and obstacles you have faced in life and reached this place are special. We have extended these helping hands through the President’s Fund precisely to strengthen your courage and unwavering ability. You should serve as an excellent example to thousands of other students.
The fact that a large number of persons with disabilities are found in the North and East of Sri Lanka is a matter of concern caused by the war. As a responsible government committed to eliminating the factors that could lead to another such war, we continue to provide assistance to the affected people so that such a war will never occur again.
His Excellency the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has taken forward the process of bringing the President’s Fund, which was very distant from the people, closer to the people and providing assistance to those in need. Changing its historical image of being for those who enjoy privileges, this Fund is now functioning in practice for those with genuine needs.
Giving greater importance to the education sector, we are providing extensive assistance through the President’s Fund from preschool to higher education. It is very important that persons with disabilities are given an equal status and that this is established as a view held by society. I also extend my thanks to the parents and relatives who have helped you reach this position, she said.
The Secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Education – Northern Province, Vice-Chancellors of the Universities of Jaffna, Vavuniya and Peradeniya, District Secretaries of the Northern Province, Additional Government Agents, officers of the President’s Fund and many university students also participated in the event.
