President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced in the 2026 Budget Speech that financial allowances provided to university students will be increased by Rs. 2,500. The adjustment comes as part of the government’s efforts to ease the financial burden on students facing higher living costs.
With the increase, the monthly Mahapola allowance will rise to Rs. 10,000, while the bursary allowance will be increased to Rs. 9,000. The “Nipunatha Sisu Diriya Allowance” for skills-development students will also be raised by Rs. 2,500.
