Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Harshana Rajakaruna, speaking in Parliament, defended the receipt of a government scholarship, stating that he qualified under the established system while his father was a member of the opposition.
“My father was an opposition member at the time. It is clear the government deliberately raised this issue in Parliament to discredit me and other opposition members,” Rajakaruna said.
He explained that after completing his degree, he applied for a government scholarship for postgraduate studies and received Rs. 500,000 following an interview and based on his qualifications.
“The minister himself said over Rs. 73 million was disbursed that year, yet only my name was mentioned,” he said. “Others who received scholarships were not named.”
Rajakaruna said similar scholarships previously awarded to Lalith Athulathmudali and Rohana Wijeweera. He also claimed attempts had been made to tarnish his political reputation and called for the matter to be addressed.
Responding to Rajakaruna, House Leader Bimal Rathnayake said that the scholarship received by Rohana Wijeweera was funded by the Soviet Communist Party, not the Sri Lankan government.
“It was one of several scholarships received by the Sri Lankan Communist Party,” he said.
Yesterday, Minister Anura Karunathilaka told Parliament that between 2005 and 2014, scholarships from the President’s Fund were awarded to children and relatives of presidents, ministers and MPs. Among the beneficiaries were relatives of former MPs, including Rajakaruna, he said. (Newswire)
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