Ogawa Scholarship Awards- 2012

On 5th May 1999, the Madam Kiyiko Ogawa Scholarship Fund was officially launched. At the inception a sum of Rs. 6.0 Mn was donated by Madam Kiyoko Ogawa and an agreement was signed between the Madam Ogawa advisory members and nominees of JASTECA to implement this scholarship fund and as such a "Trust" was formed in JASTECA.

The main objective of this project is to award scholarships (monthly financial award amounting to Rs. 1,500 for a period of 18 months) to clever students of underprivileged parents living in remote areas of Sri Lanka. These students who performed well at the GCE (Ord/Lev) examinations are granted financial scholarship awards to persue their studies in the GCE (A/L) examination. We are extremely pleased to record that several of these students have even entered the universities in Sri Lanka.

The 13th Awarding Ceremony of “Madam Ogawa scholarships”, organised by the Jt. General Secretary, Mr. Mangala Samarajeewa. was conducted at the MU/Vidyananda College, Mulliaweli, Mullative on 29^th July 2012.

The applications were called through the Principals of the schools in the Zonal District, with the recommendation of the Grama niladhari.

The students were selected considering the following criteria;

1. Highest Marks/Grading obtained at the GCE9Ord Lev) Examination-2011. First seven (07) students were selected based on the results of the (Ord Lev) Examination.
2. If the student has both or one Parent alive
3. Number of school attending brothers & sisters
4. Distribution amoung GCE (Adv Lev) Subjects stream

A record number of Executive Committee Members of JASTECA attended the Awarding Ceremony, namely, Mr Mahinda Saranapala (President), Mr G Kulatilake, Mr Lal de Alwis (Vice Patrons), Mr Premalal Fernando (Past President), Mr.Athulla Edirisinghe, Mr Nimal Perera, Mr Gamini Marambe(Vice Presidents), Mr Ananda Fernando, Mr Mangala Samarajeewa (Jt. General Secretaries), Mr Sunil Ratnayake (Asst Treasurer), Mr Kumar Samarasinghe, Mr Chandana Amaratunga(Committee Members), Mr Nirosh de Silva,  Mr Nishan Fdernando & Mr Upul Manchanayake(JASTECA Members) participated in the project.

Mr Wartharajah Moorthi, Zonal Director of Education, Mullative speaking at the occation was very happy to see a good representation of JASTECA Members visiting the Vidyananda College Mullative with all their true dedication and explained to the Parents & Awardees to utilize the scholarship money carefully during the next 18 months to enhance the education of the awardees.

Mrs. Muneeshwaran, Deputy Director of Education, Mullative and Mr P K Sivalingam, the Principal, Vidyananda College, Mullative, also participated.

An Awardee student of Vidyananda College, Mullative  giving the Vote of Thanks, spoke about the dedication and courage of the Japanese People and how they have mitigated the adverse affects of the 2nd World War & the recent Tsunami. She further said that with the unexpected gesture of JASTECA and Madam Ogawa Scholarship Trust, they will be able to overcome the financial difficulties that their parents have to undergo for their education. She profusely thanked Madam Ogawa and the JASTECA for creating a peaceful & free mind to carryout their respective fields of studies.

The Project Chairman, Mr Mangala Samarajeewa, very sincerely extends his sincere appreciation and grateful thanks to the donars of Cash & in Kind, whose names appear below;

M/S, Tilak de Soysa, Mahinda Saranapala, Dayasiri Warnakulasooriya, Athulla Edirisinghe, Chintaka Fernando, Mangala Samarajeewa, Premalal Fernando, Tilak Pushpakumara, Hemantha Perera, Binupa Liyanage, G Kulatilake, Kumar Samarasinghe, Nishantha Basnayake, Chandana Amaratunga, Nishan fernando and also the Companies such as Kelani Cables PLC, Ceylon Pencil Company Ltd, Fontera Brands Ltd, emerald International (Pvt) Ltd and Sri Lanka Telecom Ltd.

Each Awardee received the following items;

• A Certificate
• Rs.2,000/- being the 1st month instalment and Rs 500/- as Bus Fare for parents to attend the Award ceremony
  
• A Gift Pack containing, 01 Dress Material, Package of Stationary, 400grs. Milk Powder, 08 Exercise Books, Pack of Colour Pencils, 04 Milk Packets, 03 CR Books, Oxford Tamil/English Dictionary, Box of Mathematical Instruments, 01 kg. Dhaal, 01 kg Flour, 21 Ball point Pens, English/Sinhala Dictionary, 01 Tin of Protinex, 02 Ceramic Mugs, 01 Foot Ruler and 02 science Books.

A donation of Rs. 25,000/- was handed over to the Principal of the Vidyananda College for assistance & support extended to host the Award Ceremony in the College Hall.

History of the Ogawa programs conducted so far :-

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