CDB launches ‘Sisu Diri Season 04’ with Rs. 5 mn worth scholarships for needy students
Colombo: Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) recently launched its “CDB Sisu Diri Season 4” for the fourth batch of children of three-wheeler owners who obtained the highest results at the Grade 5 scholarship exam and the GCE O/L examination.
A total of 14 boys and 26 girls from different socio income groups gathered at the Tower Hall Theatre with their proud parents to receive these scholarships worth Rs. 5 m., as part of “CDB Sisu Diri – Season 4”, Sri Lanka’s first ever such scholarship programme.
Chief Guest on the occasion was Prof. Dayarohana Athukorala. Also present on the occasion were the CDB’s Board of Directors, CEO/MD Mahesh Nanayakkara, and the Senior Management.
Grade 5 winners will receive an annual cash grant of Rs. 10,000 each until they complete their O/L exams.
Similarly O/L winners will also receive an annual cash grant of Rs. 15,000 each until they complete their A/L exams thus being more beneficial for a longer period of time.
CDB’s inaugural ‘Sisu Diri’ programme kicked off in 2008 and has become a national event which assists needy children with their education.
The CDB since then awarded more than 130 scholarships to students from various parts of the country.
CDB’s Chief Executive Officer/ Managing Director Mahesh Nanayakkara said that four years down the line this programme had greatly benefitted numerous children and continues to fulfill the educational aspirations of many more.
It helps to gain more knowledge and thereby be competent in their chosen fields of study.
“The CDB is very happy to continue this annual programme for the benefit of these children.
Three-wheeler owners do render a great service to society at large. We all share the same dreams for our children.
Just as we all do, they too aspire to educate their children and see them do better in life. We are sincerely happy to join hands with these parents and help them realise their dreams”, he said.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Professor Athukorala said that correct education was the seed one plants today to achieve one’s growth in the future.
“The more you know, the more you realise how much you really not know.
The accumulation of knowledge is an endless process which will, at all times, become your treasure of a lifetime”.
Kumara Wijesinghe, a father of one of the winners, Chaami Dasunika of the GM/Udugahawalpola Vidyalaya said, “We undergo a great deal of hardships in educating our children.
These scholarships are thus invaluable and a great blessing. We parents are greatly indebted to the CDB for this meritorious gesture”.
“As a reputed financial institution serving both rural and urban communities, with 34 outlets spread across all major cities in the island, the CDB looks forward to enriching peoples’ lives through a range of CSR activities in the future”, Nanayakkara concluded.
