Cabinet approval has been granted to provide a pair of shoes for selected school students, Piriven students, and Sila Matha for the 2026 academic year, through a QR-coded voucher system.

According to the government, it has been decided to provide vouchers for a pair of shoes for the selected school students by the end of the 2025 school term. 

The vouchers have been prepared by the Ministry of Education and are planned to be securely printed with a QR code that is to be given to the beneficiary students. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Prime Minister, in her capacity as the Minister of Education, to select the following students for the said programme. 

• 644,000 students who are in schools with fewer than 250 students across the island. 
• 53,093 students who are in estate schools that have 251-500 students. 
• 2,300 students in 30 schools for special needs. 
• 30,000 selected Piriven/Sila Matha students. 

Responding to concerns that the amount allocated per student is not sufficient in relation to market prices, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa told the media that the allocations were made following discussions with industry stakeholders, including importers and manufacturers.