At a function organized by the High Commission of India Colombo, on 14th August, 2008, 100 Sri Lankan students were awarded Mahatma Gandhi Scholarships. These students were selected from all the 25 districts of Sri Lanka on the criterion of merit-cum-means on the basis of their performance in ‘O’ level examinations 2007 as well as interviews jointly conducted by High Commission of India Colombo and Ministry of Higher Education, Government of Sri Lanka. The selected scholars will receive a financial assistance @ Rs.1,500/- per month for a period of two years to enable them to successfully pursue their “A” Level courses.

Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship programme, which was instituted last year, will continue in future and every year 100 or more Sri Lankan students will be selected from all the districts of the country for award of scholarships in the name of Mahatma Gandhi. Depending upon their performance, some of these students can also be selected for ICCR scholarships for various undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Presently Government of India through High Commission of India Colombo awards 75 scholarships to Sri Lankan nationals for pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses in various reputed institutes and universities in India. Besides, the High Commission of India also awards five Commonwealth scholarships for research and higher studies and three Cultural Exchange programme scholarships again for research and higher studies. Government of India also offers two scholarships one fellowship through the SAARC Secretariat to Sri Lankan students and a SAARC chair on rotational basis to member countries of SAARC, which comes to Sri Lanka every Sixth year. Government of India also extends short term training facilities for Sri Lankan professionals working both in the Government as well as corporate sector under the ITEC and SCAAP programmes and Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo awards 10 scholarships to Sri Lankan students to pursue undergraduate studies in the fine arts.

Recipients of the Mahatma Gandhi Scholarships for the year 2008-10