‘Ranaviru doo daru’ scholarship for children

• 48 children to receive financial assistance
• Scholarships worth Rs. 18 million awarded so far

A total of 48 children were awarded with Ranaviru Doo Daru educational scholarships by Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa at a function held at the Ministry premises this week. Chairperson of the MOD Seva Vanitha Unit (SVU) Ioma Rajapaksa was also present at the occasion.

The children received scholarships under three categories. Those studying in Grade 1 to 5 received Rs. 20,000 each, while children in grade 6 to 8 received Rs. 30,000. For children studying in Grade 9 and above, the amount was Rs. 50,000. Accordingly, children from 29 Army, eight Navy, five Air Force and five Police ranaviru families received financial assistance as well from the Secretary Defence at the function.

In addition to this, the children were also presented with savings passbooks, school bags and stationary packs.

Under the auspices of the SVU of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, the “Ranaviru doo daru scholarship Program” was initiated to provide financial support for the education of needy children of the deceased and disabled personnel of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence Force.

The scholarship program is a brain child of the Chairperson of the MOD SVU Ioma Rajapaksa and was initiated in 2009 with the assistance of the Bank of Ceylon, initially facilitating 14 ranaviru children with scholarships. Since then a total of Rs. 18 million worth of scholarships have been awarded as educational assistance to date.

The aim of the project is to ensure a bright future for the children whose parents have made the supreme sacrifice during the conflict to safeguard the unity of the country.

Deputy Chairperson of the MOD (SVU) Indu Rathnayake, senior officers of the tri-services, heads of SVUs of the armed forces and Police were also present at the occasion.