Sajith Premadasa Questions Government’s Mahapola Scholarship Programme and Economic Policies

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has alleged that the government had required selected university students to attend a ceremony at Temple Trees in order to receive their Mahapola scholarship certificates and, consequently, their scholarship payments.

He said that benefits provided to citizens through public tax revenue should not require people to attend political or ceremonial gatherings. He was speaking at a Samagi Jana Balawegaya women’s public meeting in the Galigamuwa electorate of Kegalle District.

According to Mr. Premadasa, a ceremony to award Mahapola Fund certificates for the 2024/2025 academic year had been scheduled to take place at Temple Trees under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. He claimed that letters sent to selected university students stated that they would receive their certificates only after registering at Temple Trees and that the certificate would be required to obtain the Mahapola scholarship.

He compared this with the government’s fertilizer subsidy for paddy farmers, saying that such benefits are provided directly to farmers’ bank accounts rather than requiring them to attend a ceremony.

Mr. Premadasa also criticised what he described as an attempt to make university students attend Temple Trees to receive their certificates. He questioned why scholarship funds could not be transferred directly to the bank accounts of eligible students.

“The government is now doing what the JVP criticised while in opposition”

The Opposition Leader claimed that the government was now implementing practices that members of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) had previously criticised while in opposition.

He said that the Mahapola ceremony had been cancelled after the issue was brought to public attention and questioned why the scholarship funds could not be transferred directly to the accounts of eligible students.

He further argued that although the government came to power promising a change in the system, the problems faced by the public and university students had not changed.

“Promises of a richer country and better life remain in a policy document”

Mr. Premadasa referred to the government’s policy programme titled “A Rich Country – A Beautiful Life”, questioning whether the promises contained in it had produced tangible improvements during the past two years.

He questioned whether the public had become wealthier and whether living conditions had improved, saying that the public would be able to assess the situation by observing the government’s performance in Parliament.

“The government has increased both direct and indirect taxes”

He claimed that the government had increased both direct and indirect taxes, including VAT, and criticised the government over its economic policies.

He also referred to previously stated promises concerning a 33% reduction in electricity tariffs, fuel prices at landing cost, and a vehicle priced at Rs. 1.2 million, claiming that these promises had not been fulfilled.

He further criticised the government over fuel taxation during increases in international oil prices and referred to previously announced proposals concerning a guaranteed paddy price of Rs. 150 and an application to help fishermen locate fishing grounds.

“The country needs a programme that creates industries”

Mr. Premadasa said that, according to 2024 data from the Department of Census and Statistics, the Western Province contributed approximately 42% of Sri Lanka’s GDP, while the remaining 58% was contributed by the other provinces, with Sabaragamuwa Province accounting for approximately 7.7%.

He said the country needs a development bank capable of providing low-interest financing to support self-employed people, micro, small and medium-sized businesses, and industrial entrepreneurs.

He said the Samagi Jana Balawegaya would establish such a mechanism in collaboration with international institutions.

“Can a person live for one day on Rs. 589?”

Mr. Premadasa also questioned recently published figures concerning the estimated monthly expenditure required for an individual.

He referred to a figure of Rs. 17,679 for 30 days in July 2026, which works out to approximately Rs. 589 per day, and questioned whether that amount would realistically cover both food and non-food expenses for one person.

He alleged that the government was using such figures as the basis for its national economic policy.

Criticism of the government’s policies

Mr. Premadasa also criticised the JVP, saying that its members had previously spoken strongly on behalf of working people, farmers and plantation workers but were now silent on those issues.

He further criticised the government over the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, claiming that changes concerning the retirement age of judges had affected judicial independence and democracy.

“We are ready to protect democracy”

The Opposition Leader said the Samagi Jana Balawegaya would establish public forums at the local-government ward level to protect democracy and would work under his party’s leadership towards building a country that safeguards democratic institutions.