Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Thursday, 31 October 2024 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
A group of 152 young Sri Lankans recognised as high potential next-generation leaders of the country received valuable motivation in the form of ‘Pranama’ scholarships from Ceylinco Life recently, at the 23rd edition of this annual presentation.
The life insurance market leader disbursed Rs. 22.2 million in scholarships to these students under four categories, continuing an investment it began in 2002 to reward and encourage high achieving children of policyholders.
Ceylinco Life had already presented scholarships exceeding Rs. 200 million in value to 3,186 students before this latest round of scholarships. Today, many past Pranama scholarship recipients are serving the country as doctors, engineers, lawyers, accountants, teachers and IT professionals.
Delivering the keynote address at the event, the Uva-Wellassa University Faculty of Medicine Dean Prof. Muditha Vidanapathirana said Ceylinco Life’s Pranama Scholarships program plays an important role in motivating good students to develop into successful students, mentor their peers and become leaders. He stressed the value of the KSAM model in the acquisition of the knowledge, skills, attitudes and mindset needed to become a lifelong learner.
Providing valuable insights on how students can ensure that what they learn each day makes the transition from superficial memory to deep memory, Prof. Vidanapathirana also emphasised the importance of developing soft skills, and the value of team spirit, communication, trust and concern for others. He also stressed the importance of early education, disclosing that 95% of attitudes are formed by the time a child reaches the age of five.
In his welcome address, Ceylinco Life Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer Ranga Abeynayake said the future of the country is dependent on the quality of its education, and while Sri Lanka’s free education system had played a key role in the development of the country, it has its shortcomings. Today, in the era of artificial intelligence, when the universe of knowledge is accessible via a mobile phone, the education system has to be modernised and match international standards, he said.
Abeynayake also stressed that while technological development is vital for the country, it is equally important that traditions are respected and core values and principles are adhered to, referring to the mod-tradi concept of ‘Be modern, but respect tradition.’
Ceylinco Life presented Pranama scholarships to 29 students who excelled at the 2023 Year 5 scholarship examination, to 25 students who excelled at the 2022 G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination, to 25 students placed 1st in their districts at the 2022 G.C.E. Advanced Level examination, and to 64 students placed 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in their districts at this same public exam. Additionally, nine Merit Awards were presented to young Sri Lankans who have excelled at the national or international level in sports, art, drama, invention or the creative fields.
