FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO UNDERGRADUATES IN SRI LANKA

Over the years financial assistance given to undergraduate students of universities in Sri Lanka have changed. These have been from bursaries to bank loans and finally to Mahapola scholarships.

The first form of financial assistance given to undergraduates in the only university at that time was the bursary system. This was very helpful to undergraduates in the Peradeniya campus of the then University of Ceylon as it was a residential university with accommodation provided in the halls of residence with all three meals and afternoon tea.

The bursaries were granted according to the income of the families of those seeking assistance. Depending on the income, some were given full bursaries and others proportionately according to the income. At the beginning of each term the undergraduates had to pay their fees and those who were given bursaries had to pay only the proportionate amount. Even those who got full bursaries were entitled to the same food as those who paid in full. Of course, there were one or two bursary holders who had scooters of their own!

Later there was a scheme where deserving undergraduates were given loans by a state bank which was to be repaid when the undergraduates passed out and were earning. However, not a single of these persons kept to their promise as is usual with most Lankans, and it was difficult for the bank to trace their whereabouts. Hence, this scheme was abandoned.

After the change of government in 1977, when Mr. Lalith Athulathmudali was entrusted with the portfolio of Trade, he initiated the Mahapola Trust Fund to give some assistance to the undergraduates of all universities. Though at the beginning the amount was small, with gradual increases it now stands at Rs. 5,000/- per month.

The Mahapola scheme not only benefitted the undergraduates who were the recipients as some of them sent a part of the money to their parents for their sustenance. The students from not so well to do families have to apply for the Mahpola scholarships along with their application for admission to a university. These applications are scrutinized by the relevant authorities and the selected students are informed. If there are any students who have not been successful in getting a Mahapola scholarship, though they are not from affluent families, the UniversitY Grants Commission will give them bursaries for their sustenance. This is also an amount equal to the amount of the Mahapola scholarship.

The Mahapola scholarship scheme also recognized the students who had done exceptionally well at the Advance Level examination and they were awarded the same benefits but as a merit award. Whatever the Mahapola scholarship awarded, it helped some students to purchase the requirements of books and stationery. The advantage of this scheme is that the recipients do not have to pay back anything.

The establishment of the Mahpola Scholarship Scheme by the late Mr. Lalith Athulathmudali has to be appreciated for what he has done to alleviate the lives of some of the undergraduates who are not from affluent families.

HM Nissanka Warakaulle