Mahapola allowance to be increased: Minister

Steps would be taken to increase the Mahapola allowance to facilitate the university students who are eligible for the scholarship, Trade Minister Nalin Fernando said today.

He told Parliament that 16,000 university students are receiving Mahapola allowance at present.

The Minister said Rs. 1.6 billion rupees were allocated annually for this purpose.

He said he would take steps to further increase the allowance.

The Minister also said the Consumer Affairs Authority Act would be amnended soon.

"We have finalised the draft bill. It will be sent to the Attorney General next week and present it in Parliament during next Parliament session," he said. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)