LEN - www.lankaenews.com | Chinese Ambassador Awards Scholarships to Students at Keppitipola Maha Vidyalaya..!

Chinese Ambassador Awards Scholarships to Students at Keppitipola Maha Vidyalaya..!

-By Staff Reporter

(Lanka-e-News -04.Nov.2024, 10.30 pm) In a gesture of continued friendship and support for Sri Lanka’s educational development, Chinese Ambassador H.E. Qi Zhenhong visited Keppitipola Maha Vidyalaya to attend the award ceremony for the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship. This year, the Chinese Embassy has donated a total of Rs. 2.5 million to be distributed among 100 deserving students, helping them pursue their academic goals.

Ambassador Qi addressed the students, staff, and special guests, including Principal Mr. R.M.S.B. Rathnayaka and Mr. G.M.R.D. Aponsu, Senior Additional Secretary to the President and an alumnus of the school. In his speech, the Ambassador expressed his admiration for the historic school named after Sri Lankan hero Keppitipola and highlighted the embassy’s commitment to supporting Sri Lankan education.

Since its inception in 2016, the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship has aided thousands of students across 20 schools in Sri Lanka, with plans for further expansion. Ambassador Qi emphasized the importance of educational cooperation as a cornerstone of China-Sri Lanka relations. “Educational exchange and cooperation are vital components of the friendship between our two nations,” he said.

Beyond scholarships, the Ambassador shared recent efforts by China to support Sri Lanka’s students, such as the donation of 10,000 tons of rice in 2022 for student lunches, the provision of fabric for school uniforms in 2023 and 2024, and an increased donation of 11.82 million meters of fabric for 2025. Additionally, China plans to establish 900 smart classrooms across 500 schools, set to benefit over one million students.

Ambassador Qi noted the historic bond between China and Sri Lanka, which dates back over 2,000 years. Reaffirming China’s friendship with Sri Lanka, he shared details of recent humanitarian aid provided to Sri Lankan regions affected by floods, underscoring China’s ongoing support.

In his closing remarks, Ambassador Qi encouraged students to honor the spirit of national heroes like Keppitipola, to study diligently, and to contribute toward a prosperous Sri Lanka. He extended his best wishes for their academic success and for a continued strong partnership between the two nations.