President Ranil Wickramasinghe emphasized the transformative potential of the Mahapola Scholarship Fund in revolutionizing education, empowering citizens with knowledge, and extending the benefits of the open economy to rural areas. The President highlighted this during his role as the chief guest on the second day of the Mahapola 2023 exhibition.
The President expressed gratitude for the late former Minister Lalith Athulathmudali’s contribution to education through the initiation of the Mahapola Scholarship Fund. He announced the naming of the Sitawaka University’s Post Graduate Center for Research after Lalith Athulathmudali, acknowledging his significant service to education in Sri Lanka.
He underscored the importance of reopening the Mahapola Education and Trade Fair after a decade, aiming to open the doors of higher education to a broader segment of the population. He envisioned Mahapola as a means to bring about a revolutionary change in education and foster informed citizens.
Mahapola 2023, the largest educational and trade fair organized by the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security, aims to support the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Fund. The fair, hosting more than 350 booths, provides a platform for inventors and entrepreneurs to showcase their products.
President Wickramasinghe participated in the exhibition, engaging with school students and launching the website: www.eservices.mahapola.lk, facilitating online donations for the Lalith Athalamudali Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund. He also awarded prizes to winners of competitions in art, essay, short film, and street drama held in conjunction with Mahapola 2023.
The event saw the participation of religious leaders, government officials, and dignitaries, including Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security Nalin Fernando and Governor of the Western Province Roshan Gunathilake. The exhibition, continuing until December 17th, aims to contribute to educational initiatives and economic opportunities.
