The Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) says that students have not received Mahapola and scholarship allowances provided to university students for about four months.
Its convener Madushan Chandrajith said that the government’s proposed monthly allowance of Rs. 7,500 is not sufficient in view of the current cost of living, so it is proposed to increase it to Rs. 10,000.
In this regard, Parakrama Bandara, former director of the Mahapola and Scholarship Trust Fund, said that the current Mahapola and scholarship allowances provided to students cost Rs. 1.8 billion annually, and if it is increased to Rs. 7,500, an amount of Rs. 2 to 3 billion will have to be spent annually.
He explained that although he also approved the increase in Mahapola allowances to Rs. 10,000, the treasury does not currently have sufficient funds to provide that amount.
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