W. G. Sugath Kulasinghe is in Grade 12 (A/L class) at Ranasinghe Premadasa National School along with his brother in a lower class. He, in his application for Pahansila scholarship stated that, since the death of their father he and his brother had to work as laborers in brick-kilns to earn money to buy school requirements. Sugath’s school, teacher, Mrs. Pavithra Lankathilaka confirmed the situation of him and recommended for financial assistance. Therefore until commencing Pahansila funds Mrs. Lankathilaka and I supported Sugath and his brother by giving Rs. 500 per month for education. From March 2006, he was supported through Pahansila US West chapter with a payment of Rs.1000 per month. Kulasinghe has attended school up to 92 days from January to July 2006 out 102 school working days. This is according to the certified report of the principal. However, the supervisor Mrs. Lankathilka, recently reports that the two boys are still working as laborers in a brick kiln and piling sand from the river, after school hours. As they are earning money while schooling I requested a copy of their bank account book (the account we transfer funds) and found out that they have not used the Pahansila funds given to them and are saved in the bank savings account. (I request all Pahansila candidates paid through the Sampath bank account to send a copy of the bank book so that I can send this copy to the Committee to prove that payments are made on time. That is the only purpose to request bank book copies) From these records, I presume that it is not necessary for the continuation of financial assistance to this boy any further. According to the supervisor, he has been a good student in the class. Therefore we believe from this savings he can continue studies for the rest of the year and get the maximum use.
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to Ruwan and Nipunee for helping Mallika.
H. L. Nandasena Perera