[By Janaka Alahapperuma]
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that school children should not be allowed to fall prey to the whims and fancies of various elements. He said certain groups are ready to cause destruction to the education of school children to achieve their political objectives and narrow personal gains. The President made these remarks at the opening ceremony of the Mahindodaya Technical Laboratory at the Thalawa Maha Vidyalaya in Anuradhapura this morning (09 April)
Addressing the ceremony President Rajapaksa further said certain foreign embassies are also supporting programmes of these sorts to mislead school children. The President requested parents not to allow their children to become victims of such vicious elements that emerge in various forms. He emphasised that his government will not allow anyone to sabotage the school education system merely for foreign dollars and any child to become a victim of such element. The President stated he believe that parents, teachers, principals and even politicos should be aware of it and urged politicians not to exploit school children for their personal gains.
The President pointed out that development of the country will not benefit the society if the children are misled. It is the younger generation that suffered most from the uprising took place in the South in 1988/89 and from the three decades of brutal terrorism in the North. While noting that the younger generation is the backbone of the development, the President noted that the process would be disrupted if they are misled.
The laboratory which is constructed under the programme of establishing one thousand (1000) Mahindodaya Technical Laboratories throughout the island is equipped with a fully-fledged Mathematics Laboratory, a Language Laboratory with 25 computers, a Computer Laboratory with 45 computers and a Distant Education Centre. After declaring it open the President inspected the new facilities of the laboratory and made inquiries from the students about their educational activities. Subsequently the President presented a laptop to Namal Udara who is a Grade 12 student of the Thambuttegama Maha Vidyalaya who will represent Sri Lanka in the World Innovative Creations Competition which will be held soon in Los Angeles in the USA.
Venerable Maha Sangha headed by the Chief Sangha Nayaka of the Nuwara Kalawiya and Chief Incumbent of Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Ven Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thero, Governor of the North Central Province Karunaratne Divulgane, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena, Special Projects Minister S.M. Chandrasena, Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith, large number of dignitaries, officials, local politicians, teachers, parents and school children were also present.
Pix by: Nalin Hewapathirana
