170 Jinnah Schols from Pakistan for Sri Lanka's GCE O/L, A/L students
The Pakistan govt, through its High Commission ( HC) in Sri Lanka, has awarded Scholarships to 170 Sri Lankan GCE O/L and A/L students, under its prestigious Jinnah Scholarship programme worth Rs 4.225 million, an embassy statement said. The Scholarships are named after the the founder of Pakistan, Quaid- e- Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. The presentation ceremony was held in Colombo last week.
The occasion was graced by Vice Chancellor- Buddhist & Pali University, Ven. Prof. Gallelle Sumanasiri Thera as the Chief Guest, along with State Minister for N at i o n a l Integration & Reconciliation, A. H. M. Fouzi and President- Sri Lanka- Pakistan Friendship, Trade & Investment Association, Ifthikhar Aziz, as Guests of Honour, Acting HC of Pakistan, Dr Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra, HC officials and family members of Scholarship recipients.
While congratulating the students on their academic achievements and expressing the hope that they would continue to excel in their academic pursuits, Dr. Sarfraz Sipra emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two brotherly countries to augment the development of human capital.
The Ven. Pro f . G a l l e l l e Sumanasiri Thera, in his address, said he was delighted to note these scholarships are awarded to Sri Lankan students without any discrimination. He also noted that the Jinnah Scholarship programme has become an important tool to pro- mote religious, racial and interfaith harmony among the youth of Sri Lanka. He thanked the Pakistan govt for its continued endeavour towards encouraging the youth to raise their morale for higher achievements in their lives.
These scholarships are awarded on the basis of a strict criteria involving merit and need for financial assistance. Under the programme, each successful student receives stipend of Rs 25,000 as assistance for one year to follow their studies.
The Pakistan govt has been awarding the Jinnah Scholarships since 2005, and in the past 12 years, has awarded Scholarships worth approximately Rs 50 million.