�Govt to make Sri Lanka trilingual�
The government has implemented a programme to make Sri Lanka
trilingual and every child of the country should learn Sinhala, Tamil
and English to accomplish this mission, President Mahinda Rajapaksa
said.
The President was addressing a gathering at Jaffna Central College
after opening a swimming pool at the school premises yesterday.
The new swimming pool of the Jaffna Central College was constructed
at a cost of Rs.17 million by the Tharunyata Hetak Organization to help
develop the skills of local swimmers in Jaffna peninsula.
The Tharunyata Hetak organisation provided Rs. 13 million for the
project while the balance Rs. four million was borne by the Northern
Provincial Council.
Addressing the students on the occasion, the President said that the
facilities enjoyed by the students in the South will be made available
to those in the North as well.
�In addition, the children in villages should also receive equal
facilities that are enjoyed by the students of Colombo schools�, he
pointed out.
President Rajapaksa also pointed out that necessary steps will be
taken to increase educational opportunities for the next generation amd
to create a better atmosphere to augment the health facilities of the
future generations. The President said that sports help promote peaceful
coexistence.
He said that sports also helps create a person who can accept victory
and defeat in the same stride.
Speaking in Tamil, the President pointed out that he has never
forgotten the Motherland though a certain segment is engaged in a futile
attempt to deter the ongoing development drive by resorting to various
tactics. He requested the public to be cautious about such activities.
Jaffna Central College is the only school in the region that has a
swimming pool. The school was founded in 1817.
At present, around 1.800 students are studying in this school with an
academic staff of 114. The President thanked the Tharunyata Hetak
organization for the contribution they made in helping construct the
swimming pool. He also spoke to the students of the school.
The welcome address was delivered by Jaffna Central College Principal
Ellilvendan.
Jaffna Bishop Thomas Saundranayagam, Traditional Industries and Small
Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda, Northern Province
Governor Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, Hambantota District
Parliamentarian and Tharunyata Hetak organization chairman Namal
Rajapaksa and MP Lohan Ratwatte were present.
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