The government officially launched its new foreign scholarship programme for top-performing Advanced Level students on 12 March 2026 at the Ministry of Education, Isurupaya, with 32 students selected in the first phase.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya described the initiative as a national investment in education and the country’s future, aimed at developing highly skilled human resources essential for national reconstruction.
A total of Rs. 4,001 million has been allocated for the programme, which plans to award 200 scholarships between 2025 and 2033. For the 2025/26 academic year, nine of the 32 selected students have already secured admission to leading universities in Australia and New Zealand, including Sydney, Melbourne, Monash, and Auckland.
The programme requires students to pursue undergraduate studies at universities ranked within the top 500 globally according to QS, THE, or ARWU rankings. Each student will receive up to Rs. 20 million per year, with a maximum of Rs. 80 million over four years to cover the full undergraduate programme.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya emphasized that the transparent selection process reflects the government’s vision of education as a cornerstone for national progress, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s brightest students gain world-class exposure and contribute to the country’s development.
She highlighted that the scholarships are not only about academic excellence but also leadership, character, and resilience, encouraging students to use challenges—such as cultural differences or being away from family—as opportunities to grow. The programme aims to produce graduates who can make a meaningful impact on society, lead teams, and contribute to broader social transformation.
The Prime Minister also assured students that the government would provide ongoing support through embassies and coordination, reinforcing the programme as a long-term investment in building leaders capable of advancing Sri Lanka and inspiring positive change globally.
