Ceylinco Life’s Pranama scholarship awards top Rs. 83 million

Ceylinco Life’s investment in rewarding the academic and extracurricular achievements of young Sri Lankans topped Rs. 83 million this month, when the life insurance leader awarded another 150 Pranama scholarships.

The 12th edition of this annual event brought the total number of Ceylinco Life Pranama scholarships awarding 1,614 with recipients ranging from students who performed well at the year five scholarship examination, to young adults who have excelled at the national level in non-academic pursuits.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ceylinco Life Managing Director/CEO R. Renganathan pointed out that every parent knows that the best gift he or she can give a child is an investment in the child’s education.

“However, while the value of education increases by the day, so does the cost of education, and the degree of competition,” Renganathan said, noting that the income of the family do not increase proportionately.  

“Ceylinco Life is therefore happy to contribute to the cost of education of our country’s future leaders,” he said.

“Sri Lanka needs leaders who know what it takes to win, and how to accept losing,” Renganathan added.

“These leadership qualities are developed at home, continue to be nurtured in school, and are tested on the sports field and in other areas of endeavour.”

Dean of the Faculty of Medical Science of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Prof. Mohan de Silva, in his address said it is rare to see a private company providing scholarships on this scale to recognise the achievements of children.

“As a teacher, I truly appreciate this community initiative, which contributes to building the character and potential of young people,” he said.

This year’s Ceylinco Life Pranama scholarship recipients included students who excelled at the year five scholarship examination in 2012, each of who received Rs. 90,000 payable in instalments over five years; students who excelled at the G.C.E. (O/L) in 2011 each received Rs. 72, 000, payable monthly over two years, while students placed first in their districts at the G.C.E. A/L examinations of 2011, received scholarships worth Rs. 126,000 each, payable over a period of three years.

Additionally, students placed second, third and fourth in their districts at this examination were awarded Rs. 10,000 each.

Six national merit award recipients who had excelled at the national level in sports, aesthetics, invention and creativity in 2011-12 received Rs. 35,000 each.

One of many benefits available to Ceylinco Life policyholders, the Pranama scholarship scheme underscores the importance accorded by the company to education, which is one the key areas of intervention in the Ceylinco Life rewards program.