Schols for children of migrant workers

by Ananda Kannangara

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) will offer 2,500 scholarships to children of migrant workers at a ceremony tomorrow at Temple Trees under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The scholarships, which are named Mahindabimani Scholarships will coincide with President Mahinda Rajapaksa's first day in office, 2,500 days ago.

The distribution of scholarships to children of migrant workers was initiated by the Bureau in 1996 with 156 students and over 21,800 students have been awarded scholarships worth over Rs. 418 million.

SLBFE Chairman, Amal Senalankadikara told the Sunday Observer

that under the scholarship scheme students who passed the Grade Five scholarship examination will receive Rs. 15,000 each while students who passed the GCE (OL) and (AL) examinations will receive Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 30,000 each.

The Bureau has also launched a scheme to offer short term vocational training courses such as Information Technology, English, foreign languages, motor mechanism and other training courses to children of migrant workers.

Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera, MP Namal Rajapaksa and Ministry Secretary Nissanka Wijeratne will also attend tomorrow's ceremony.