Life insurance leader’s cumulative investment in the education of children of policyholders tops Rs. 263.4 million

Ceylinco Life has marked the 25^th edition of its flagship Pranama Scholarships programme by awarding 147 scholarships worth Rs. 23.4 million to recognise academic excellence and outstanding extracurricular achievements among the children of its policyholders, taking the programme’s cumulative contribution to young Sri Lankans to Rs. 263.4 million.

The latest presentation brings the total number of scholarships awarded since the programme’s inception in 2002 to 3,613, reflecting a quarter-century of sustained investment in educational achievement and the development of young talent across the country.

The milestone event featured addresses by Professor Prasad Sethunga of the University of Peradeniya, the Chief Guest; Mr Ranga Abeynayake, Executive Director/Deputy CEO of Ceylinco Life; and Dr S.K.A.B. Dilhara, a former Pranama scholar whose own journey illustrates the opportunities that can follow from academic achievement and support at an important stage of a young person’s life.

A two-time recipient of Pranama scholarships, Dr Dilhara holds an MBBS from the University of Peradeniya and is currently a Postgraduate Trainee in MD Psychiatry. Her participation added a personal dimension to the occasion, connecting the programme’s long-standing commitment to nurturing young achievers with the progress of one of its former beneficiaries.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Sethunga focused on the challenge of preparing children to succeed in the 21^st century, a world he described as exceptionally unpredictable. While acknowledging the difficulty of determining precisely how children should be educated for a rapidly changing future, he identified critical thinking, innovation, collaboration and communication as essential skills that young people must develop.

These, he observed, are also among the most difficult skills to cultivate through education. He cautioned that even exceptionally bright individuals can struggle with collaboration and communication, and urged parents to exercise care in the expectations and pressures they place on their children. Success in the 21^st century, he emphasised, would belong to those who approach its challenges thoughtfully and intelligently.

In his welcome address, Mr Abeynayake highlighted the transformative impact of technology and the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI), stressing that Sri Lanka must equip itself to master and use the technology intelligently.

He observed that AI offers the country an opportunity to address inefficiencies across several important sectors, including education, agriculture, healthcare and the public service. Mastering AI would be essential for those seeking to excel in their chosen fields, he said, underscoring the need for an education system that enables children to develop the knowledge and capabilities required to engage confidently with the technology.

At the same time, he cautioned that technological advancement must not come at the expense of humanity, values and traditions, emphasising the importance of preserving these foundations even as society embraces new capabilities.

The 2026 Pranama scholarships presentation recognised 27 students who excelled at the 2025 Year 5 Scholarship Examination, 25 students who achieved outstanding results at the 2024 G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination, and 91 students who excelled at the 2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination. A further four scholarships were awarded under the Merit category for achievements in 2024 and 2025.

Through its Pranama Scholarships programme, Ceylinco Life continues to recognise the diverse forms of excellence demonstrated by the children of its policyholders, supporting their educational journeys while encouraging them to pursue their ambitions. Reaching its 25^th consecutive edition, the programme underscores the company’s long-standing commitment to helping young Sri Lankans develop their potential and prepare for the opportunities and challenges of the future.

Ranked Sri Lanka’s most valuable insurance brand in the 2026 Brand Finance ranking of the country’s 100 Most Valuable Brands, Ceylinco Life was also voted the ‘Peoples Life Insurance Service Provider of the Year’ for an unprecedented 20^th consecutive year at the 2026 SLIM Kantar Peoples Awards. The Company, which has been recognised as the Best Life Insurer in Sri Lanka by World Finance for 12 consecutive years, offers innovative insurance solutions that protect and de-risk the ambitions of millions of policyholders and their family members.

Photo caption: Recipients of Ceylinco Life Pranama scholarships for their performances at the GCE Advanced Level examination