Dalada Maligawa-People’s Bank launch Buddhist Welfare Scholarships Fund

Scholarship holders with Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, People’s Bank Chairman Sujeewa Rajapakse and CEO/GM Clive Fonseka

Sri Dalada Maligawa, also known as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, in partnership with People’s Bank’s CSR brand ‘Mahajana Mehewara’, has launched the Buddhist Welfare Scholarships Fund, a significant social service initiative aimed at supporting the educational needs of children from low-income families across Sri Lanka, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, etc. 

The launch ceremony was held at the People’s Bank head office in Colombo 2, with the participation of Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, People’s Bank Chairman Sujeewa Rajapakse and Chief Executive Officer/General Manager Clive Fonseka.

Established initially in 1995, the Buddhist Welfare Scholarships Fund has been a pivotal element in Sri Dalada Maligawa and People’s Bank’s efforts to nurture the future leaders of Sri Lanka, providing substantial support to student monks and schoolchildren of all backgrounds. As of May 2024, the fund will deliver scholarships to 2,000 deserving students from grades six to 11, with plans to expand assistance to up to 10,000 students over the next five years.

Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela remarked, “The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic not only serves as a place of worship but also spearheads numerous social initiatives like the Buddhist Welfare Scholarships Fund under ‘Apey Sathkaaraya’ to enhance the lives of our people. This fund, generously supported by Sri Dalada Maligawa, with an allocation of Rs.500 million, is a testament to our commitment to the educational and moral development of our children.”

Rajapakse stated, “Our collaboration with Sri Dalada Maligawa epitomises our dedication to the nation’s future for which education is the key.”
Fonseka stated, “Our new venture with Sri Dalada Maligawa is another step forward in our mission to support the educational aspirations of the nation’s children.”
The event was also attended by People’s Bank Deputy General Manager Retail Banking T.M.W. Chandrakumara, Head of Marketing Nalaka Wijayawardana, Deputy General Manager Channel Management Naleen Pathiranage, Deputy General Manager Human Resources Manjula Dissanayake, Kandy Regional Manager Nalin Poththewela and Sri Dalada Maligawa Director Media and Special Projects Krishantha Hissella.