This year’s presentation brought the total number of scholarships awarded under the programme since its inception in 2002 to 3,466, representing a cumulative value of Rs. 240 million.
The latest round alone disbursed Rs. 18 million across four tiers of scholarships, recognising outstanding performance at national examinations, district-level rankings, and exceptional achievements in sports, the arts and other creative fields.
The Chief Guest, Vice Chancellor of the Sabaragamuwa University, Prof. Sunil Shantha, in his keynote address paid tribute to Ceylinco Life’s 24-year journey with Pranama, observing that the programme has already helped produce leaders now serving in key roles both in Sri Lanka and overseas.
He stressed that education is the one source of wealth that can never be stolen, providing knowledge and skills that open career opportunities, strengthen decision-making, build confidence to take risks, and foster personal as well as societal growth.
Education, he said, is integral to economic progress, poverty reduction, and the cultivation of problem-solving and adaptability that nations require to advance.
Welcoming the latest batch of recipients, Ceylinco Life Executive Director/Deputy CEO Mr Ranga Abeynayake said the Company takes great pride in the achievements of past Pranama scholars, many of whom are today doctors, engineers, lawyers, academics and entrepreneurs.
Commenting on the rapid transformation of the world through technology and artificial intelligence, he said that while the current generation of parents ensures children are equipped with education, it is these young scholars who must elevate Sri Lanka to global technological standards.
“We need creative and innovative minds that seek to break new ground and think differently,” he declared.
“That is the challenge we place before our Pranama scholarship recipients today.”
Adding a resonant personal dimension to the event, past scholarship winner Mr Sahan Karawita, now pursuing a PhD in mathematics and theoretical physics at Brown University in the USA, addressed the gathering virtually.
His journey exemplified the long-term impact of the Ceylinco Life Pranama scholarships programme and the potential for its beneficiaries to shine internationally.
Ceylinco Life presented Pranama scholarships to 26 students who excelled at the 2024 Year 5 scholarship examination, to 25 students who excelled at the 2023 G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination, and to 67 students who achieved the highest Z scores in their districts at the 2023 G.C.E. Advanced Level examination.
Additionally, 10 Merit Awards were presented to young Sri Lankans who have excelled at the national or international level in sports, art, drama, invention or the creative fields.
Launched in 2002, Ceylinco Life’s Pranama scholarships programme continues to reward academic and extra-curricular excellence among the children of policyholders, reaffirming the Company’s belief in education as the foundation of progress for individuals, families and the nation.
Ceylinco Life has been the market leader in Sri Lanka’s life insurance industry for 21 consecutive years, offering innovative insurance solutions that protect and de-risk the ambitions of policyholders.
Earlier this year, the company was ranked the most valuable insurance brand in Sri Lanka and the 22nd most valuable brand overall by Brand Finance.
It was also voted the People’s Life Insurance Service Provider of the Year for the 19th consecutive year in 2025, reaffirming its status as the brand trusted by millions.
The company was adjudged Sri Lanka’s Brand of the Year in 2022 and 2023, and was recognised among the 10 Most Admired Companies in Sri Lanka in 2023 by the International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
Photo caption : Recipients of Ceylinco Life Pranama scholarships for their performances at the GCE Advanced Level examination.