Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2017-09-12

Provision of Bursaries for the Pirivena Student Monks

- The traditional education system formed in the country for the purpose of creating a systematic and formal education to the Buddhist Monks is the Pirivena education system. At present, 758 Pirivenas function throughout the Island in the form of Elementary Pirivena, Maha Pirivena and Vidyathana Pirivena. The budget 2017 proposed to grant a bursary for the Pirivena student monks for the promotion of their educational activities.

Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, the Minister of Education, to grant a 'Learning Improvement Grant' to the Account of the Head of the Pirivena 'Kruthyadikari' to be used for the welfare activities of the Pirivena student monks for the supply of books and equipment, co-curricular activities, skills development activities, promotion of English language skills and to meet the travelling expenses and to implement the project under the strict supervision of the Ministry of Education, was approved by the Cabinet.