Minister Devananda tells

'Mahapola' scholarship holders:

Help create just society

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda participating in two ceremonies held in the Jaffna and Kilinochchi Districts on May 27 for awarding 'Mahapola' Higher Education Scholarships to students who had been successful in gaining university admission, said the 'Mahapola' Higher Education Programme which came into being in accordance with a concept by late Lalith Athulathmudali, has been very successfully continued by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

"It had been a strong source of support to the needy children of our country. More than 1,500 students from the Northern Province would be awarded this scholarship," the minister added.

The two ceremonies were at the Weerasingham Hall, Jaffna and Kilinochchi Co-operative Society Hall respectively.

The minister also said at the ceremonies that the LTTE used thousands of undergraduates as cat's paw during their three decade long terrorist war to meet with their selfish agendas. The LTTE destroyed education and the hopes and dreams of the Northern youth.

"However, the Northerners are enjoying total freedom today with the elimination of terrorism and can feel happy this time round as over 100 students had gained admission to Medical Faculty," added the Minister.

The minister said the Jaffna University Agricultural Faculty would soon be opened in Kilinochchi and work on the first stage had already been completed.

"At a request made by him to the President, action has been taken to set up an Engineering Faculty in the Jaffna University,"the minister said.

The minister also said that his government not only would develop the North and East, but, also would give a political solution to the Tamil speaking people.

Jaffna District Member of Parliament and Deputy Chairman of the Committees of Parliament Murugesu Chandrakumar said at the Kilinochchi ceremony that 88 students from the Kilinochchi District were awarded 'Mahapola' Higher Education Scholarships and wished them a bright and prosperous future.

Northern Province Governor Maj. Gen. G A Chandrasiri said 430 students form the Jaffna and 88 students from the Kilinochchi Districts respectively were awarded 'Mahapola' Higher Education scholarships on that day.

"A total of 1,500 students from the entire Northern Province, including, the Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya Districts were qualified to receive this scholarship," added the Governor. He urged the students to complete their tertiary education without resorting to activities that would jeopardize their education and become useful and duty bound citizens. He also said that in his capacity as the Governor of the North, he is always willing to extend any assistance needed for their education. Jaffna Government Agent Sundaram Arumainayagam,Jaffna district Member of Parliament Sylvestri Alantin too participated at the Jaffna meeting while Kilinochchi Government Agent Rupawathy Ketheeswaran spoke at the Kilinochchi ceremony.