The Government has decided to extend its school stationery assistance programme into the 2027 academic year, providing a Rs. 6,000 allowance to 1.5 million schoolchildren across the country. The Cabinet of Ministers granted its concurrence to the proposal following a briefing presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Minister of Finance.

Under the distribution plan, one million schoolchildren from families enrolled in the Aswesuma welfare benefit scheme will receive the Rs. 6,000 assistance via direct transfers into their bank accounts. Meanwhile, an additional 500,000 schoolchildren identified by the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education will receive vouchers worth Rs. 6,000 each to purchase necessary educational supplies.

Originally introduced in 2025 as a measure to assist students with their educational requirements, the school stationery assistance programme continues to support families across Sri Lanka. President Dissanayake informed the Cabinet that all required steps will be taken to ensure the ongoing continuation of the initiative through both direct cash transfers and vouchers for the 2027 academic year. (Eduwire)