Bank of Ceylon’s ‘Nana Jaya Scholarships 2018’ awards ceremony concludes successfully

BOC’s ‘Nana Jaya Scholarships 2018’ concluded successfully, awarding scholarships worth Rs. 9.4 million among 237 deserving youth. This is considered as a gesture of empowering the future leaders of the country. The ceremony was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) Colombo recently amidst a gathering of over 800 guests including the award-winning students and their proud parents. 

The Bank’s Chairman, President’s Counsel Ronald C. Perera was the Chief Guest of the event. Renowned motivational speaker/psychological counsellor Mohan Palliyaguru graced the occasion as the keynote speaker for the event. The Bank’s CEO/General Manager Senarath Bandara attended the event as the Guest of Honour and members of the Bank’s Corporate and Executive Management were also present at the event. 

The Bank’s scholarship program to encourage Sri Lankan youth began in 2003 and so far has provided 2,094 scholarships to deserving A/L students. As for this year, scholarships were offered for the highflyers of six streams namely Biology, Physical Science, Commerce, Arts, Engineering Technology and Bio System Technology at the 2018 A/L examination. 

Out of the total number of scholarships allocated 79 merit scholarships, each worth Rs. 48,000 were awarded for students who have been ranked as top 13 in the island from each stream, provided those students have fulfilled the eligible requirement of maintaining a Rs. 10,000 continuously for a period of six months from 1 August 2018 till 31 January 2019 in their 18+ Savings account. Following the same eligible criteria all other scholarships each worth Rs. 36,000 were also awarded for the top 2 district ranks (based on the Z-score) from each province. 

In combination with the country’s premier youth savings account ‘BOC 18+’, this initiative has adapted a similar platform to that which the Government has laid to encourage higher education through ‘Mahapola’ scholarship program. Students will be assisted by the Bank to cover up their additional expenses monthly. To provide financial assistance to students to help cover their monthly expenses, up to four years in the case of merit scholarships and up to three years in the case of regular scholarships.