A group of 152 young Sri Lankans recognised as high potential next-generation leaders received ‘Pranama’ scholarships from Ceylinco Life recently, the 23rd edition of this annual presentation.
The company 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 of over 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.
Keynote speaker, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Uva-Wellassa University, Prof. Muditha Vidanapathirana said Ceylinco Life’s Pranama Scholarships programme 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 daymakes 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 percent of attitudes are formed by the time a child reaches the age of five.
Ceylinco Life Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer Ranga Abeynayake saidthe 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 said 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, 25 students who excelled at the 2022 GCE Ordinary Level Examination, 25 students placed first in their districts at the 2022 GCE Advanced Level examination, and to 64 students placed second, third and fourth in their districts at this same public examination.
Nine merit awards were also presented to young Sri Lankans who have excelled at the national or international level in sports, art, drama, invention or the creative fields.
