The government has taken steps to change the name of the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Fund to ‘Lalith Athulathmudali Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund’.
The bill to amend the Mahapola Higher Scholarship Trust Fund was presented to the Cabinet yesterday (11), the Minister said.
This was stated by the Minister of Trade Dr. Bandula Gunawardena at a media briefing held at the Government Information Department today (12).
Minister said that, late Minister Lalith Athulathmudali established the Mahapola Scholarship Fund with the intention of providing assistance for higher education to the economically disadvantaged children of this country and that it was established as a trust fund at his own expense and was later established with the funds of various business entities and individuals using the Development Lottery.
Cabinet approval has been given to change the name of the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Fund to Lalith Athulathmudali Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund, to appoint a retired judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the President for the post of Chairman, and to bring the staff of the Trust Fund under the Public Property Act.
Minister further pointed out that the purpose of this is to secure and nurture this fund for the children who are pursuing higher education in the future. He also stated that this bill will be passed in Parliament in the near future.
