Yamuna Perera

“As the Commissioner of the Department of Probation and Child Care Services in Sri Lanka, which works for children’s development and their wellbeing, I place education as one of the main factors of an individual’s and a country’s development.”

In the Sri Lankan context, education is regarded highly at all levels. The Constitution of Sri Lanka refers to education as a fundamental right and the current National Development Framework describes a commitment to making Sri Lanka a Knowledge Hub by 2016. However, undergraduate education in the state universities in Sri Lanka remains limited and thus, highly competitive. Even though children from low income families who perform well at the secondary level examinations receive this opportunity, completing their higher education over 3 or 4 years is sometimes a challenge due to the financial strain. Understanding this situation, it’s great to see that several organisations have introduced a number of scholarship programmes. As a government body, the Department also has made an effort to ensure the education rights of the children by implementing several scholarships programmes.

Plan Sri Lanka’s response to address this gap through the Hein Kolk Scholarship Programme is highly commendable. The Scholarship programme is most definitely a successful attempt to support the continuation of studies of undergraduate students. It has benefitted 42 undergraduates so far and is sure to continue to do so for many more in the future.

“I appreciate the effort made by Plan Sri Lanka and the Hein Kolk Scholarship Programme for illuminating these children’s future through this programme.”

Yamuna Perera
Commissioner
Department of Probation and Child Care Services