The Riaz Ismail Scholarship Fund (RISF) awarded financial aid scholarships for 27 recipients to continue their education at its annual scholarship awarding ceremony held at Mandarina Colombo recently.
The RISF has been awarding scholarships to deserving students since 2018 and this year marks the 80th birth anniversary of its founder late Riaz Ismail, who dedicated his life and career to public service.
Riaz Ismail became the Founder President of the Galle Muslim Cultural Association which he nurtured into a uniting force that brought people of all faiths and cultures together while also helping the underprivileged children complete their education.
He also established and nurtured several NGOs and championed girls and science-based education long before they were mainstream.
Merci Lanka Foundation, All Ceylon Moors Association, Moors Islamic Cultural Home and the Lady Fareed Home for Elders are but some of the charities he served.
His esteemed career spanned a diversity of ministries, from social services to rural industries development, youth empowerment to socioeconomic development, and defense and agriculture.
Twenty seven students including 10 girls as well as 15 boys from Mahinda College were awarded the scholarships for two years on this occasion.
The event was graced by His Holiness Syed Mohamed Aslam Jiffry Ibnu Syed Abdur Rahman Jiffry Mowlana and Former Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Cooperatives Dr. R.M.K. Ratnayake, as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour, respectively. The keynote address was delivered by former DGM of the Bank of Ceylon M.S.M. Liyawdeen while Chief Incumbent of the Galle Fort Sri Sudharmalaya Temple Ven. Hemaloka Thera also addressed the gathering.
GMCA Patron Hanif Yusoof, former Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, former Minister Karunasena Kodituwakku and Chairman of the Board of Quazis M.Y.M. Faiz also attended.
The RISF provides financial assistance to underprivileged, school-going students who have shown academic promise to help them achieve their educational goals. Applications for the next batch of awards can be found at http://www.riazismailsf.org/apply.
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