The awarding of scholarships, computers, educational equipment and gift vouchers for shoes to monks, bhikkhunis and lay students studying in Pirivenas in remote areas commenced with the aegis of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Under this initiative, educational equipment will be provided to all lay and clergy students studying in remote areas in Monaragala, Badulla, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Batticaloa, Ampara, Trincomalee and Hambantota
Districts.
The State Ministry of Dhamma Schools, Pirivenas and Bhikkhu Education has allocated Rs. 30 million for this purpose. The President symbolically presented the scholarships and educational equipment at Temple Trees July 30 to mark the inauguration. Twenty student monks who achieved highest marks in the Mulika Piriven Final Examination and the Pracina Preliminary Examination were awarded foreign scholarships. Aesthetic kits valued at Rs. 12 million will also be distributed to Pirivenas under the programme.
The President also launched the official website (www.piriven.gov.lk) of the State Ministry of Dhamma Schools, Pirivenas and Bhikkhu Education. Director of the Piriven Ven. Watinapaha Somananda Thero, Ven. Balangoda Sobhitha Thero, Ven. Narampanawe Ananda Thero, Ven. Dr. Bodagama Chandima Thero and other members of the Maha Sangha, Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, State Ministers Vijitha Berugoda, Susil Premajayantha, Piyal Nishantha, Vidura Wickramanayaka and Seetha Arambepola, Secretaries and officials of the line ministries were also present.