Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia, President of Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara Dayaka Sabha, said, “I am standing up like this today because of the Mahinda College in Galle”
The scholarship award – 2023 offered by the Dr. Saman Weerasinghe Foundation was held yesterday (27) at Mahinda College’s Olcott Hall.
Dr. Saman Weerasinghe Foundation, which has provided 600 educational scholarships since 2007 for children who need encouragement due to economic difficulties; this time 25 students were selected for it. The bursary program for two consecutive years is running for them.
It is the hope of the Dr. Saman Weerasinghe Foundation to increase these 600 scholarships to 1000 scholarships within the next 4 years.
Mahinda College’s Old Boys Association and Old Prefects Association jointly organized this great work under the supervision of Mahinda College’s Principal Mr. R. S. N. Maddumahewage.
Dr. Saman Weerasinghe said that there is a reference to the introduction of a new education system to Russia in an award I received from that country. He also said that he won that for converting Russian language’s courses to english courses.
“Looking back now, everyone is in Russia. It is very difficult to find someone who is not in Russia. Now the elections are near; That’s why all the politicians are trying to be close to Russia. Because there is love for Russia among people and in society. But the relationship between me and Russia was established since the collapse of the Soviet Union…” He said.
Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, who told the students to “dream big from school days”, also recalled such an experience he had.
“Never dream small. You want to dream big. Then those big dreams become a small reality and you get the right life. For example, when we were going to Moscow Medical College, one day we were walking. About four students from Bangladesh, Syria and other countries were there with me. We are going near the Kremlin. As I was leaving, I said that one day I want to go inside this Kremlin and meet the leader of this country.
At that time my Syrian friend was making fun of me. “The course on mental illness is coming the day after tomorrow. Take some medicine for your brain problem…” he said.
Twenty years later, I went to Kremlin and met President Putin. That day, I called that friend and asked if he saw me and President Putin on TV today. He could not speak. He said that I am very happy…” said Dr. Saman Weerasinghe.
All the documents of the Dr. Saman Wirasinghe Foundation are now with the Leader of the House in Parliament and after the necessary approval is received by the end of this year, Mahinda College and the Old Boys Association and the Past Prefects Association will sign a memorandum of understanding by the end of this year according to the requirements of internationally important books. He said that a program will be prepared to give to the students.
“I am asking the children here, Never think that you have no money; No social status; Therefore we cannot do this; etc. I recently read the life story of Mahathir Mohamad. He has written… ‘I was born in an ordinary family. I was cut off from everywhere…’. But the Prime Minister who completely changed Malaysia was Mahathir Mohamad. I was also happy when I read his life story. The reason is that I come from a very ordinary family. When my father asked the principal to admit me to Mahinda College, and if he had said that I could not be admitted to Mahinda College, Gale, I would not be here today. That’s why I love Mahinda. Not for any other reason. I am standing up as this person today because of Mahinda…” said Dr. Saman Weerasinghe.
Principal RSN Maddumahage, Mahinda College’s Old Boys Association (OBA) Secretary Kamal Nishantha, Past Prefects’ Association President Naleen Paranagama and Senior Journalist Ramesh Warallegama addressed the ceremony.
Veteran stamp artist Mr. Sanath Rohana Wickramasinghe, Mahinda College’s Deputy Principals, teaching staff and the OBA, its Executive Committee members and School’s Prefects’ Board, scholarship winners and their parents were present on this occasion.
