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SRI VENKATESWARA
CHARITABLE TRUST

SRI VENKATESWARA
CHARITABLE TRUST

Welcome to Sri Venkateswara Charitable Trust

Education is the most powerful weapon by which you can change the world!

- Nelson Mandela -

Established in 2022 by Mr. G. Sathasivam, Founder Chairman of Sunshine Holdings PLC, the Sri Venkateswara Charitable Trust reflects his devout religious beliefs and commitment to giving back to society. 

As a dedicated devotee of the Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, Mr. Sathasivam’s vision of creating a future where every individual in Sri Lanka has the opportunity to educate themselves and contribute to the nation’s prosperity led to the establishment of the Trust.

Our Mission

We aim to create an inclusive environment where aspiring students can access the necessary funds to fulfill their academic potential, contributing to the overall development of the individuals and the nation.

Our Vision

Our Vision is to ensure that no child in Sri Lanka misses the opportunity for higher education due to financial constraints.

Scholarship
Programs

We provide scholarship opportunities at the Degree level for GCE A/L students facing financial barriers to private education. These scholarships are specifically tailored for those pursuing undergraduate degree programs in the following fields of study.

In 2023, SVC Trust proudly extended scholarships to 24 commendable students, empowering them to pursue their degree programs. The students awarded scholarships in 2023 are enrolled in diverse fields, representing a broad spectrum of academic pursuits and professional interests.

Scholarships Offered in 2023 - Universities

Scholarships Offered in 2023 - Degrees

The
Founder

Mr. G. Sathasivam

Mr. G. Sathasivam, the esteemed Founder of Sunshine Holdings PLC, established the Sri Venkateswara Charitable Trust. His journey commenced with a humble retail pharmacy in Gampola town in 1967, which later expanded with opening a second store in Kandy. In addition to the retail business, Sunshine ventured into island-wide pharmaceutical distribution, agribusiness, healthcare, and consumer goods, eventually emerging as a prominent conglomerate in Sri Lanka.

While Mr. Sathasivam is recognized for his exceptional business acumen, both domestically and internationally, he firmly believes in separating business and charity, stating, “When you do business, be business-like; when you do charity, do it well. Don’t mix the two.” Despite his potential, Mr. Sathasivam chose to immerse himself in religion. His guiding philosophy is centered on the idea that earnings should not solely benefit oneself.

Mr. Sathasivam’s commitment to philanthropy is evident in his dedicated support of education, particularly in rural Sri Lanka. He has demonstrated a profound commitment to education by establishing a Trust to provide higher education opportunities for children in rural areas. Through his silent, selfless giving, he brings philanthropy to life significantly.

Trust
Management

Mr. Vish Govindasamy

Managing Trustee

Mr. Shyam Sathasivam

Trustee

Ms. Roshani Kobbekaduwa

Trustee

Trust
Investment Advisors

S Renganathan

Investment Advisors

N. B. Weerasekera

Investment Advisors

Trust
Administration

Prasadhi Perera

Assistant Manager - Trust Services

Sandun Kumara

Senior Accounts Executive

Educational Equality

A key objective is to ensure that socio-economic status is not a barrier to higher education. The trust seeks to level the playing field so that everyone has the same opportunity regardless of their financial background.

Youth Empowerment

The trust aims to empower the youth of Sri Lanka by unlocking their potential. This involves providing access to education and nurturing their skills and abilities, preparing them for future challenges.

National Development

The trust aims to contribute significantly to the nation’s development by fostering a well-educated and skilled workforce. Educated individuals are better equipped to innovate, solve problems, and drive economic growth.

The mission of the trust is to support tertiary education for rural youth facing financial constraints.

Accessibility For Higher Education

Sri Venkateswara Charitable Trust provides scholarships to high-achieving students from low-income families, enabling them to pursue their dreams at prestigious private universities.

Fostering Personal and National Progress

We aim to improve the knowledge of the future workforce, believing that education empowers individuals to make meaningful contributions to society.

Our Partners

We’ve collaborated with leading institutions to pave the way for the next generation of top achievers, ensuring they receive the highest quality education.

News & Buzz

Gallery

Blog

Our Testimonials

My family has five members; my father works as a daily wage fisherman. I have a younger brother doing his O/L and a younger sister doing her A/L. Due to the high cost of living and the father’s limited income, supporting both siblings’ education is challenging. As a result, I was unable to pursue my higher studies. Thanks to Sri Venkateswara Charitable Trust, I seek a BSc (Hons) in Information Technology at SLIIT Malabe.

Student from Jaffna

My Father, the leading provider in our family, is a fisherman with six heart blocks. Although the doctor urgently recommended open-heart surgery, our financial situation has prevented us from getting it done. This has affected my ability to pursue higher education. Thanks to the support from the Sri Venkateswara Charitable Trust, I have the opportunity to continue my studies at ICBT Colombo.

Student from Mannar

My father works as a farmer, and unfortunately, my mother is no longer with us. Financial difficulties initially hindered my pursuit of higher education. However, thanks to the support provided by the SVC Trust, I can now continue my BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering studies at SLIIT Malabe.

Student from Sooriyawawa

In February 2023, my father, who worked as an X-ray technician, passed away. My mother, who used to work at the CTB, is now retired. My younger sister is preparing for her Advanced Level examination this year. Due to our financial circumstances, I faced challenges in pursuing higher education. Fortunately, with the assistance of the Sri Venkateswara Charitable Trust, I am now enrolled in the BSc (Hons) in Information Technology program at SLIIT Kandy.

Student from Kandy