The Sri Henepola Gunaratana Scholarship Trust (SHGST) was established by Bhante G with the aim of providing scholarships and essential school supplies to children of parents with very low income and financial difficulties in Sri Lanka, enabling them to attend school. Each year, the fund ensures that children from underprivileged backgrounds have access to basic necessities such as pencils, paper, books, and shoes that they would otherwise be unable to afford. The charity operates solely through the efforts of volunteers, resulting in zero overhead costs and ensuring that 100% of donations directly benefit some of Sri Lanka’s most disadvantaged children.

Donors are encouraged to visit Sri Lanka and meet the students they support, fostering a personal connection and motivating them to pursue their education with greater determination. The scholarship fund was initially established for young people in the Tumpane; Kandy district of Sri Lanka, Bhante Gunaratana’s birthplace, and has now spread over several districts in the country. Our service now has a wide reach, assisting schools, libraries, preschools, and more. We have established a library in Welimada and sponsor the Kandy public library. Additionally, we are assisting a school in Batticaloa and a Pirivena monastic training center in Batticaloa too.

Board of Trustees:

1. President of Bhavana Society
2. Chairman- Asitha Wijesekera
3. Secretary- Kumuduni Kariyawasan
4. Treasurer- Chandana Rathnayake
5. Dr. Mallika Samaranayake
6. Dr. Lakshmi de Zoysa
7. Sonali Abeyratne
8. Gehan Rajapakse
9. Anushka Earskin
10. Saman Senadheera
11. Geethi Jayawardene
12. Deepani Ranasinghe
13. Nelum Dorabawila

Categories of Scholarships offered are:

1. University Students
2. Students (G.C.E.A/l: General Certification of Education Advance level)
3. Students eligible for G.C.E. O/L
4. Qualified students from around the country
5. Students eligible for technical institutions education
6. Grade five students Elementary, Primary, Secondary, and High school children

Responsibilities of scholarship recipients:

Siri Henepola Gunaratana Scholarship recipients have a responsibility to submit reports every semester and at the end of the year, as well as whenever they receive their grades and reports. This requirement is in place to ensure that they are maintaining discipline and putting in the necessary effort to succeed in their academic pursuits. If a student consistently fails to meet these reporting requirements, they may lose their scholarship. By enforcing these expectations, we are encouraging students to stay focused and committed to their studies, ultimately helping them reach their full potential and achieve academic success. It is important for scholarship recipients to understand and adhere to these guidelines in order to continue receiving financial support. The board of directors’ decision is final.

Eligibility for Receiving Scholarships:

All students in Sri Lanka, children of Sri Lankan origin, who are experiencing difficulties in their academic careers, such as financial constraints or academic challenges, are eligible to apply for scholarships. These scholarships are designed to provide support and assistance to students who may not have the resources to fully pursue their education. By offering scholarships to these students, our aim is to alleviate some of the barriers hindering their academic success and help them achieve their full potential. This support can come in the form of financial aid, material assistance, or any other forms of help to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to succeed in their goals.

For further details please view The SHGST Selection Method page.

With Metta,

If you would like to offer a financial donation specifically for scholarships, you may use the PayPal link below for Bhavana Society. However, please indicate SHGST Fund in the instructions to the recipient: