To assist the meritorious Sri Lankan students, India today announced a substantial increase in India’s educational assistance, amounting to 2.5 billion Sri Lankan Rupees in grant-funding. This will mark a three fold increase in the scholarships and self-financing slots for undergraduate, masters and doctorate-level courses
This announcement was made by External Affairs Minister SM Krishna during the handing over ceremony of the newly constructed second phase of the high speed coastal railway line from Galle to Hikkaduwa , which has been built with Indian assistance.
Krishna said that the new initiative is being undertaken as part of New Delhi’s commitment under the “India-Sri Lanka Knowledge Initiative” launched by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, during his visit to India in June, 2010.
The expanded scholarship programme, SM Krishna said will go a long way in further cementing educational ties between the two neighbours.
