The Ministry of Higher Education delivered equipments worth Rs.15 million including computers and photocopy machines, to universities and higher educational institutes in the Eastern Province.

Equipments worth Rs.8 million were given to the Eastern University while the South-East University received equipments worth Rs.4 million. Rs1mn and 2mn worth equipments were donated to the Swami Vipulananda Institute and Trincomalee higher educational institution respectively.

The Ministry expects to provide 50 busses and 50 jeeps to the Eastern universities, the Minister of Higher Education said. Jaffna, Eastern, South-East, Uva-Velassa and Sabaragamuva universities will also be provided with vehicles, he added.

The Minister further noted that the Government would expand the university system in the next 5 years so that 10 000 foreign students can study in Sri Lanka. A foreign student will be able to receive education in a Sri Lankan university for USD 5000/-, the Minister further said.

The government plans to provide 200 scholarships for students from less developed countries in Africa. It will also provide food and hostel facilities to those students.