- The Budget - 2015 proposed to increase the Mahapola Scholarship payment up to Rs.5,000/- per month with effect from 2015?07?01. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. (Dr.) Sarath Amunugama, the Minister of Higher Education and Research, to implement that above proposal with effect from 2015-05-01 and to increase the Bursary payment from Rs.2,000/- to Rs.2,500/- effective from this date, with a view to create an environment conducive for studies, to the university student population, devoid of problems, was approved by the Cabinet.