The Inter-University Students’ Federation has raised concerns over the delay in disbursing Mahapola and scholarship allowances to university students, which have reportedly not been paid for nearly four months. Madushan Chandrajith, the convener of the federation, highlighted the financial struggles faced by students due to the non-payment of these essential funds. He also emphasized that the government’s proposed monthly allowance of Rs. 7,500 is inadequate given the rising cost of living and called for an increase to Rs. 10,000.
Chandrajith stated, “The current economic conditions have made it extremely difficult for students to manage their expenses. The proposed Rs. 7,500 allowance is insufficient, and we urge the government to raise it to Rs. 10,000 to better support students.”
In response, Parakrama Bandara, former director of the Mahapola and Scholarship Trust Fund, provided insight into the financial challenges of increasing the allowance. He explained that the current annual cost of providing Mahapola and scholarship allowances stands at Rs. 1.8 billion. If the allowance is increased to Rs. 7,500, the annual expenditure would rise to between Rs. 2 to 3 billion.
Bandara acknowledged the need for a higher allowance, stating, “I also support increasing the Mahapola allowance to Rs. 10,000. However, the Treasury currently lacks the necessary funds to implement such an increase.” He further noted that the government is facing financial constraints, making it difficult to meet the growing demands for student support.
The delay in payments and the debate over the allowance increase have left many students in a precarious position, struggling to cover their educational and living expenses. The Inter-University Students’ Federation continues to advocate for immediate action to address the unpaid allowances and to secure a more substantial financial support system for university students.
As the situation unfolds, students and stakeholders await a resolution from the government to alleviate the financial burden on the student community.
