The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana

¶ 01 There are over 40,000 Mahapola beneficiaries. Previously, payments were made via allocations sent to universities, which, having the beneficiary rolls, could pay monthly. Now, payments are made 50% from the Mahapola Trust Fund and 50% from the Treasury. The Treasury’s 50% goes to the University Grants Commission (UGC), which then transfers to the Mahapola Trust Fund, and thereafter it is credited directly to the student accounts.

¶ 02 Two delays arise: (i) delays in Treasury funds reaching the UGC and then the Trust Fund; and (ii) delays in universities providing accurate beneficiary rolls to the Trust (including removals, non-attendance, or issues). Hence the current ~3-month lag.

¶ 03 Up to March, Rs. 5,000 per month has been paid; we are ready to complete those payments this month once Treasury funds reach the UGC. From April, the stipend increases by Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 7,500; due to delays in updated rolls, two months remain to be paid. We are working, both at the Trust and Ministry levels, to reduce delays to about one month.