The increase has been made honouring a pledge given by the Government to grant the increased Mahapola Scholarship fee through the 100-day programme.

The Government has succeeded in granting the increased fee one month ahead.

The Government has taken initiatives also to increase the amount paid to students who do not receive Mahapola assistance from 2,000 to 2,500 rupees. A total of 45,000 students are receiving the Mahapola fee. The others total 29,500. The expenditure incurred by the Government on the providing of the Mahapola fee is 644 million rupees.