We were very fortunate to have Mr HPS Gunasekara and Mr GM Wanigasekara(not in the picture) to help us looking after all the work back in Sri Lanka.

Message from Mr HPS Gunasekara

 Scholarship Fund established  with contribution from some Sri Lankan residents  in Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK and some in the Motherland

       Some Sri Lankan Residents in Australia, desirous of helping financially, a few deserving Sri Lankan students, were seeking a person to execute the scholarship activity they contemplated.  They have spoken about it with one of their friends, a reputed philanthropist, Mr GM Wanigasekara.

    Through him I was selected. Mr GM Wanigasekara, being an honest and sincere  person,  is loved by all his relation, friends and associates. The Sri Lankan resident's idea was to supply monthly Rs 12,500/= collected as contribution and Mr Wanigasekara and  I volunteered  to contribute each RS 2000/= Monthly.

          There were 32 applications for the scholarships which of those we selected 11 students studying for A/L and the degree and 11 studying in the lower grades.  The first category is to get monthly Rs 1,000/= each and the second category to get monthly RS 500/= each.  A total of Rs 16,500 is distribute among these children monthly.

          A  savings Account was opened on 3^rd March 2005 at Akuressa Branch of the Commercial Bank . All transaction are through this Account. It is a joint account in my name and that of Mr G.M Wanigasekara.  Scholarship holders have opened savings Accounts in their names.  They have to supply monthly returns, certified by their principals or the Registrar of the university or the Dean of the faculty,  that they are diligently attending to their studies.  Payments for the scholarships were commenced from March 2005.  Statements of income and expenditure are supplied to the friends in Australia once in three months.

             With immense pleasure I accepted the responsibility at this end, in order to carry out the scholarship project contemplated by the generous hearted expatriate Sri Lankans in Australia, USA and UK. This gesture of these good Samaritans is a worthy act that could be emulated by other Sri Lankan expatriates in Australia as well as in other countries. Our words and deeds portray what we are.  Thousands, may millions of children suffer from lack of food, clothing, shelter and means for education. If we can help even a few in what ever possible way, how happy they would be, and we too as well as those who hear about it would be happy if there is no ulterior motive.  In our last stages of life we would be feeble and would lie on bed in pensive moods, memories of our past actions, good or bad flashes in our minds producing pleasure or pain & repentance.  Even in our daily life we come across this experience.

                I finally thank all of you for giving me this opportunity to carry out this noble work and make it a success.