The scholarship award ceremony for journalists under the “Asidisi” Journalism Scholarship Programme, implemented annually by the Media Division of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media with the aim of equipping all journalists with knowledge, skills and attitude to establish a professional journalism ethic, will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., at the Media Division Auditorium, Polhengoda, Ministry of Health and Mass Media, under the patronage of the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, with the participation of the Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Anil Jasinghe.

The aim of this project is to provide opportunities and encourage journalists to develop their professional skills through training courses in order to face the challenges of the twenty-first century.

These scholarships will be provided on a non-refundable basis to journalists, freelance journalists, regional journalists, web journalists and media technicians, between the ages of 18-55 years who have obtained the Journalist Identity Card issued by the Department of Government Information for journalists, who are employed on a full-time or part-time basis in recognised electronic and print media institutions in the island and who have completed 03 years of service.

This scholarship amount is provided up to a maximum of two hundred thousand rupees (Rs. 200,000.00) for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and up to a maximum of one hundred thousand rupees (Rs. 100,000.00) for short-term or long-term certificate courses, diplomas, and advanced diplomas.

Scholarship recipients can pursue courses related to the media field conducted by recognised universities and higher educational training institutions.

This scholarship scheme, which is provided free of charge by the government without any additional fees, provides journalists with the opportunity to receive benefits twice, and journalists who have successfully completed the first course after 5 years of qualifying in the first instance can apply for the second opportunity.

Journalists who are eligible for the scholarship will be paid 25% of the course fee as the first instalment at the beginning of the course, 25% of the remaining 50% as the second instalment of the course, and the remaining 25% upon completion of the course and submission of certificates.

The beneficiaries were selected after interviewing the applicants by a selection committee appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media.