China donated 4.3 million Sri Lankan rupees to the University of Jaffna this week, as it continues to build engagement with the island’s Tamils.
Prof. S. Srisatkunarajah, Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, received the grant from Qi Zhenhong, the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, at the Chinese Embassy in Colombo.
Srisatkunarajah reportedly told the Chinese ambassador of the “historic links between Tamil and Chinese [people]”.
It's our pleasure to hand over Chinese Ambassador's Scholarship of LKR 4.3 million to 82 students from the University of Jaffna with LKR 5000/month/person for an academic year.
— Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka (@ChinaEmbSL) October 2, 2022
Amb. Qi Zhenhong also had a good discussion w/ Prof. S. Srisatkunarajah, Vice Chancellor @uojofficial pic.twitter.com/435YOQYLxI
Since 2016, financial aid granted under the Chinese Ambassador's Scholarship Scheme has been distributed among the different universities across the island. This year (2022), the entire financial is shared between the University of Jaffna and the Eastern University, both in the Tamil North-East.
The student welfare branch of the University of will be using the grant to provide a monthly bursary for 82 students.