The Bank of Ceylon recently celebrated the academic excellence of Sri Lanka’s brightest students through its annual ‘Nanajaya’ Higher Education Scholarship programme. 
On July 26, Bank of Ceylon Head Office Auditorium hosted the scholarship awarding ceremony for the top achievers of the 2022 GCE Advanced Level Examination, for the 2022/2023 academic year. 
The event was graced by Bank of Ceylon’s Chairman Kavan Ratnayaka, General Manager/CEO Russel Fonseka,   Corporate and Executive management with staff members, scholarship holders and their parents.
This year, the ‘Nanajaya’ Scholarship programme awarded 383 scholarships, with a total value exceeding 30 million rupees, to students who excelled in six key subjects: Biology, Physical science, Commerce, Arts, Bio System technology, and Engineering Technology . These scholarships are intended to support the educational journeys of the nation’s most promising students, helping them to achieve their academic and professional goals.
Since its inception in 2003, the ‘Nanajaya’ Scholarship programme has awarded scholarships worth over 139 million rupees to 3,148 students pursuing higher education. The programme is well-regarded among university students in Sri Lanka, particularly those who achieve the highest Z-scores in the six main subjects of the GCE Advanced Level Examination.
The scholarship scheme operates on two levels: merit scholarships, worth Rs.  120,000, awarded to students with the highest Z-scores nationally, and common scholarships worth Rs.72,000, awarded to students with the highest Z-scores at the district level. This dual approach ensures that exceptional students from across the country receive the recognition and support they deserve.
In addition to the ‘Nanajaya’ Higher Education Scholarship programme, the Bank of Ceylon, in collaboration with the Department of Manpower and Employment, successfully runs the ‘Nanajaya’ carrier Guidance programme. 
This initiative is designed to help GCE Ordinary Level and Advanced Level students make informed decisions about their higher education and career paths, offering them valuable guidance and resources.
Moreover, Bank of Ceylon has partnered with the popular youth radio stations to launch the ‘Dream Builder’ career guidance programme. This initiative, aimed at university students, seeks to support the professional development of young people in Sri Lanka by providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to build successful careers.