Sri Lanka Insurance Suba Pathum Scholarship awards 375 school children

• Initiative offers Rs. 50 m worth of scholarships

Sri Lanka Insurance  over the years have had contributed to the betterment of the future generation of the country. Sri Lanka Insurance (SLIC) is not only one of the most profitable State-owned enterprises but also a responsible corporate citizen that enriches the community it operates in. 

SLIC initiated the ‘Sri Lanka Insurance – Suba Pathum Scholarship’ program in 2014 for the children of its Life policy holders across the country. This scheme has awarded 1800 scholarships, worth of approximately 200 million up to date.  

This year the scholarship scheme will be rewarding 375 students, who excelled in the 2020/21 Grade 5 Scholarship, 2020 GCE Ordinary Level and 2020/21 GCE Advanced Level examinations. 75 top ranking students were selected from each of the three examinations totalling up to 375 students. Grade 5 Scholarship and GCE Ordinary Level, qualifiers were selected based on the district achievement and for GCE Advanced Level applicants, selections were based on the national level achievement. 

A financial scholarship of Rs. 20,000 for five years, Rs. 40,000 for two years and Rs. 50,000 for three years is awarded to the students who are eligible for the Suba Pathum scholarship from Grade 5 Scholarship, GCE Ordinary Level and GCE Advanced Level examinations, respectively. A total of Rs. 50 million has been allocated for the 2020/21 Suba Pathum Scholarship program which will continue for the next five years.

The scholarship awarding ceremony was held at Nelum Pokuna – Mahinda Rajapakse Theatre, Colombo on the 28 February 2023 with the participation of the Board of Directors, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and the senior management team along with the students and their parents. 

In his speech to the guests, SLIC Chairman Ronald C. Perera, PC said: “The right to education is a fundamental human right that every child should have. There are 4.4 million school children in Sri Lanka who are primary and secondary school age, however not every child is fortunate enough to receive an education in an environment with the same degree of facilities. 

“Having an educated populace is very important for a nation, thus kids should have access to uninterrupted primary and secondary education that enables them to access university education. Sri Lanka has 15 national universities and we need to encourage and support our children to obtain university education. 

“The objective of ‘Sri Lanka Insurance Suba Pathum Scholarship’ program is to extend the required support to our children to obtain the education they deserve without any interruption. As a responsible State sector corporate giant, it is our responsibility to assist the future generation’s access to quality education.

CEO Chandana L. Aluthgama said: “Over the years as an organisation we have contributed for the betterment of the future generation of this country through numerous initiatives. The Minimuthu range and the ‘School Fee Protector’ policies were introduced for the benefit of the children. Both these products support towards a guaranteed uninterrupted education support and highly beneficial returns for the children and provides both parents and kids a peace of mind. 

“By going above and beyond the call of duty, SLIC has been involved with the “Pasal Piriyatha Surakimu” CSR program in creating a suitable educational environment for underprivileged schools. 

“Furthermore, to mark the International Children’s Day, we have offered parents of children born on 1 October a free Life Cover. We as a State-owned organisation believes in transformation and adapting to the status quo. Therefore, as a responsible corporate citizen we will continue to transform the next generation’s future with a secure education in order to uplift the future of this country.”