The Cabinet of Ministers had yesterday granted approval to establish a Pirivena Development Fund under the Development Act in order to strengthen Pirivena education. The proposal tabled by Minister of Education Prof. G. L. Pieris outlined that the Government allocates about Rs.4,500 million for Pirivena Education annually. At present, Pirivenas are classified and registered as, Maha Pirivenas, Mulika Pirivenas, Pirivena Vidyayathana, Bilingual Pirivenas, Special Pirivenas and Buddhist Sil Matha Education Institutions. There are about 62,240 students being educated in Pirivenas. Therefore, the proposal was tabled in order to further strengthen and enhance the education of those studying in Pirivenas.