The Education Ministry plans to present the proposal on the ‘Suraksha’ student health insurance programme within the next two weeks, The Sunday Morning learns. 

“Negotiations are ongoing and will continue next week as well, on the premium for the insurance. Once the proposal is finalised, the Cabinet paper will be presented the week after,” Education Ministry Procurement and Construction Additional Secretary Devika Liyanage told The Sunday Morning. 

According to her, a procurement committee has been appointed for the negotiations with Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Ltd. (SLIC). 

‘Suraksha’ was initially launched in 2017 for all students between 5-21 years who are registered at Government schools, private schools, pirivenas, semi-Government schools, and international schools. 

Insurance cover was provided for a one-year period, following an annual agreement between the Education Ministry and an insurance provider. 

Previously, both SLIC and Allianz Insurance have been service providers. However, the programme abruptly came to a halt in 2022 with the onset of the economic crisis. 

The President’s Media Division (PMD) announced in May that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had directed the resumption of the ‘Suraksha’ insurance programme, noting that it had been temporarily suspended due to “economic challenges”. 

The statement further said that the 2024 Budget had allocated Rs. 2 billion to revive the programme.