The President’s Fund Sarasavi of Sri Lanka (Sinhala: ජනාධිපති අරමුදල | Tamil: ஜனாதிபதி நிதியம்), under the Presidential Secretariat, has established a permanent state financial grant programme titled “Sarasavi Diriyo Abhiman” (සරසවි දිරියෝ අභිමාන් | சரசவி திரியோ அபிமான்). Officially inaugurated under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, this national initiative awards a one-off educational scholarship grant of Rs. 100,000 to every student with disabilities currently enrolled in or gaining admission to Sri Lanka’s State Universities. Applications and beneficiary documentation are processed through the decentralized network of all 332+ Divisional Secretariats across the island and online via presidentsfund.gov.lk.
Why the “Sarasavi Diriyo Abhiman” University Grant Matters for Students and Families
Undergraduate students with visual, physical, hearing, and neurological disabilities face substantial ancillary expenses—including specialized assistive technology, screen-reading software, mobility equipment, and accessible transport—that standard state bursaries do not fully cover. By transitioning the President’s Fund into an institutionalized, decentralized social safety net, the government has established an automatic entitlement: every differently abled student entering state higher education receives a direct Rs. 100,000 financial foundation. This policy guarantees that physical and financial limitations do not interrupt academic completion across faculties of Arts, Management, Science, Law, and Technology.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Funding Authority | President’s Fund of Sri Lanka ජනාධිපති අරමුදල | ஜனாதிபதி நிதியம் (Presidential Secretariat) |
|---|---|
| Scheme Title | “Sarasavi Diriyo Abhiman” Scholarship Programme ‘සරසවි දිරියෝ අභිමාන්’ ශිෂ්යත්ව වැඩසටහන | ‘சரசவி திரியோ அபிமான்’ புலமைப்பரிசில் திட்டம் |
| Grant Value | Rs. 100,000 (One-off direct financial grant per beneficiary student) |
| Target Beneficiaries | All undergraduate students with disabilities studying in or admitted to Sri Lankan State Universities |
| Scope & Coverage | Islandwide across all 25 Administrative Districts and 17 UGC State Universities |
| Statutory Basis | President’s Fund Act No. 7 of 1978 & Official Board of Governors Policy 2026 |
| Disbursement Method | Direct Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) to the student’s personal bank account |
| Processing Centres | All 332+ Divisional Secretariats (Social Services / President’s Fund Officers) & University Welfare Divisions |
Official Portals & Government Verification Gateways
Eligible undergraduates and parents can verify application guidelines and track services via authorized portals:
Open Official President’s Fund Portal (presidentsfund.gov.lk)
- Official Government Announcement – Sarasavi Diriyo Abhiman Programme (news.lk)
- University Grants Commission (UGC) Sri Lanka Admissions Portal
- Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education
Eligibility and Information-Gain Self-Assessment Matrix
To assist university students and welfare officers in verifying qualification status, consult the self-assessment decision table below:
| Applicant Category | Verification Criteria & Institutional Status | Can I Apply? | Grant Entitlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| UGC Special Intake Students (Section 6.1) | Undergraduates admitted under the UGC Differently Abled Special Intake with certified registration | Eligible | Rs. 100,000 One-off Grant |
| Merit / District Intake Students with Disabilities | Undergraduates admitted through normal Z-score quotas who have certified physical, visual, hearing, or neurological disabilities | Eligible | Rs. 100,000 One-off Grant |
| Recipients of Mahapola / University Bursaries | Students already receiving the monthly Mahapola scholarship (Rs. 10,000) or general university bursary (Rs. 9,000) | Eligible | Full Grant (No deduction or disqualification against Mahapola) |
| External Degree / Distance Learning Students | Students registered in external general degree programmes or non-state private institutes | Ineligible | Restricted strictly to internal state university undergraduates |
| Postgraduate / Master’s / PhD Candidates | Postgraduate diploma or master’s degree candidates in state universities | Ineligible | Current funding phase applies exclusively to undergraduate students |
Step-by-Step Application & Grant Disbursement Procedure
Eligible undergraduates can register their details through their local administrative divisions or university welfare units:
- Download Application / Information Sheet: Obtain the President’s Fund Educational Assistance Form from presidentsfund.gov.lk or collect the physical form from your local Divisional Secretariat.
- University Verification: Present your university student record to your Faculty Dean, Senior Student Counselor, or Assistant Registrar (Student Welfare) to certify your internal enrollment status and registration number.
- Medical Disability Certification: Attach an official medical report or disability diagnosis card signed by a Government Medical Officer (Consultant Physician, Eye Surgeon, ENT Surgeon, or District Medical Officer).
- Divisional Secretariat Endorsement: Submit the application packet to the President’s Fund / Social Services Officer at your permanent residence’s Divisional Secretariat for Grama Niladhari verification.
- Digital Processing: The Divisional Secretariat uploads your verified documentation directly into the President’s Fund integrated digital network.
- Electronic Fund Transfer: Upon approval by the Board of Governors of the President’s Fund, the Rs. 100,000 grant is transferred directly into the student’s active savings bank account.
Mandatory Documents for Application Submission
Prepare the following certified documents before submitting your request:
- National Identity Card (NIC): Certified clear photocopy of the student’s national identity card.
- Official University Student Identification: Certified copy of the University Student ID Card or formal letter of internal registration from the Registrar / Student Welfare Division.
- Government Medical Certificate: Diagnosis report from a government hospital specialist specifying the nature and degree of physical, visual, auditory, or mobility limitation.
- Grama Niladhari Character & Residence Certificate: Endorsed by the Divisional Secretary confirming permanent family domicile.
- Bank Account Passbook / Statement Copy: Validating the student’s personal account number, account holder name, and branch code (Bank of Ceylon or People’s Bank recommended).
Submission Points & Institutional Contact
Beneficiaries can coordinate their submissions through regional or central administrative hubs:
Primary Submission Channel:
The Social Services / President’s Fund Branch at your local Divisional Secretariat (ප්රාදේශීය ලේකම් කාර්යාලය | பிரதேச செயலகம்) across all 25 districts.
University Welfare Channel:
Senior Student Counselor’s Office / Student Welfare Division at your respective State University.
Central Administrative Headquarters:
The Secretary, President’s Fund of Sri Lanka
Presidential Secretariat, Galle Face, Colombo 01, Sri Lanka.
Inquiries Telephones: 011-2354354 / 011-2435446
Government Information Centre Short Code: 1963
Official Email: info@presidentsfund.gov.lk
Implementation Phases & Allocation Timeline
| Implementation Phase | Target Universities & Regional Scope | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Western & Central Province | University of Colombo, Kelaniya, Sri Jayewardenepura, Moratuwa, Peradeniya | Completed & Disbursed |
| Phase 2: Northern Province | University of Jaffna, Vavuniya University | Completed & Disbursed |
| Phase 3: Eastern Province | Eastern University of Sri Lanka, South Eastern University | Ceremonially Concluded (Batticaloa) |
| Permanent Nationwide Intake (2026 Onward) | All newly admitted and continuing undergraduate students with disabilities islandwide | Active Rolling Enrolment (Processed continually via Divisional Secretariats) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does receiving this Rs. 100,000 grant affect my monthly Mahapola scholarship?
No. The “Sarasavi Diriyo Abhiman” grant is a one-off educational assistance award provided by the President’s Fund. It does not deduct, reduce, or disqualify the student from receiving their regular Mahapola scholarship (Rs. 10,000/month) or state university bursary (Rs. 9,000/month).
2. Can newly admitted first-year university students apply immediately?
Yes. As soon as a student receives their formal university admission and student registration number from the UGC or state university, they can lodge their application through their local Divisional Secretariat.
3. Can the grant be transferred to a parent’s bank account?
No. Under state auditing regulations, the funds must be deposited directly into a savings bank account registered solely or primarily in the university student’s own name and National Identity Card number.
4. Do students have to travel to Colombo to collect the cheque?
No. Since June 2025, all services of the President’s Fund have been digitalized across all Divisional Secretariats. The grant is disbursed directly via electronic bank transfer, eliminating the need to travel to Colombo.
Final Action Checklist & Troubleshooting Guide
Common Application Pitfalls to Avoid:
- Private Clinic Medical Certificates: Ensure your medical certificate is issued by a registered Government Medical Officer (GMOA / Government Hospital Consultant); private medical slips are rejected during audit verification.
- Name Mismatch on Bank Passbook: Verify that your name on your bank account passbook matches your National Identity Card and university registration exactly to avoid electronic transfer rejection.
- Divisional Secretariat Coordination: Contact the Social Services Officer at your divisional secretariat early to ensure your profile is uploaded before the university academic term midpoint.
Access President’s Fund Online Services (presidentsfund.gov.lk)
Official Verification Sources
- President’s Fund of Sri Lanka – Official Institutional Portal
- Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka (news.lk Announcement)
- University Grants Commission (UGC) Sri Lanka Admissions Handbook
Disclaimer: BrightNook is an independent educational and public career guidance platform in Sri Lanka. This guide is compiled solely for public assistance and student welfare based on official announcements from the President’s Fund of Sri Lanka and the Presidential Secretariat. Grant allocations, medical assessments, fund disbursements, and eligibility scrutinies are governed exclusively by the Board of Governors of the President’s Fund. For direct inquiries, visit presidentsfund.gov.lk or contact your local Divisional Secretariat.
