'Regrettable to see former leaders joining anti-SL forces'
Presidential Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs Kumarasiri Hettige
said that it is quite regrettable to see former leaders of this country
in league with anti-Sri Lankan forces and questioned the example such
people set for the younger generation.
He made these remarks at the prefects' investiture ceremony of the
Nugegoda Samudradevi Balika Vidyalaya on March 16. He was the chief
guest.
|
Presidential Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs Kumarasiri
Hettige pinning a prefect�s badge on a student. Principal W.
A. Ranasinghe was also present |
He said, the leadership experience gained during school time gives a
lot of strength in life. Leadership qualities have to be exhibited
through deeds. Not everyone can become a leader. It is a responsibility.
This country has had some leaders who did not fulfill their share of
duties. If they did, we would not have had to suffer a prolonged war for
three decades.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on the other hand, is an ideal leader
who set a prime example of good leadership to the younger generation. He
is a national hero. He made dawn the freedom that we all enjoy today. If
not for him, this country and this nation would have been destroyed. His
immense will-power and correct vision helped him to overcome both
domestic and global challenges. No one without these qualities can
become a leader.
A defining characteristic of a leader is that his actions speak
louder than words. That is how he has been able to set a prime example
in terms of everything. Children should study his character and learn a
valuable lesson about leadership that would one day make them great
leaders, he said.
"Even after vacating the presidential office, one's patriot cannot
waver. Some ex-leaders of this country have sided with anti-Sri Lankan
forces and it is very regrettable. Everyone should love their parents.
If you forget your beginnings you are on the path of decline. You cannot
expect one who does not love his/her parents to love his/her country or
society. These are great values," he said.
Hettige said, it is the obligation of the older generation to advise
children on these issues. "Today it has become a challenge to give
proper guidance to children. The reasons are many and parents certainly
can't wash their hands clean of this situation. If the child is not of
good character that child is not only a threat to him/herself but also
to the society at large. At some places of society discipline is in
steep decline and schoolchildren are also affected by this phenomenon.
In some schools discipline is almost pristine and in others it is nearly
non-existent. It is not fair to blame it all on either the government or
the Education Ministry.
Samudradevi Balika Vidyalaya is in a high position today because of
the capable leadership. We need more and more such principals in the
country who can set an example for other schools as well.
About 54 percent of the country's population is female. They claim a
very impressive position in terms of literacy as well where 90 percent
of them are literate. Even the majority of University students are
female and the percentage is 58. Women also occupy a lot of positions of
importance and it is a light to the country. Our daughters should follow
suit and even aspire for better things. But also remember that an
education devoid of values is meaningless.
Finstein once said "Science devoid of religion is an infertile land.
The supreme meaning of life is to devote one's self of others." This is
a very important statement, which we should meaningfully take.
A massive move to rebuild others in the society is much called for.
If this does not happen, our children will be deprived of a beautiful
future. The cell phone, even though it has served well in communication,
has done much damage to children.
If this continues, the society will be full of people with twisted
minds. Children should make education their first priority. Going to a
university alone dues not make you a good human. We can see that some
university students today are forgetting their original goal. Never
consider them as examples.
The Jaffna University does not have posters, picketing or
demonstrations. Take an example from those students about how to realize
your goals.
"Think, how children of the North tire themselves for their
education. We can expect an increase of the number of academics from the
North in future. They are also treasures of this nation.
No matter which ethnic group you belong to, if you are patriotic and
humane, there is no need to have any fear over the future. If this dream
is realized we all can die happily and in relief. Self-satisfaction is
the most treasured wealth of a teacher. We salute those teachers who
genuinely stand for it.
School Principal W.A. Ranasinghe, students Sumudu Walpola, Duladari
Jayakody and Kithsiri Ramesha also spoke. Nugegoda Divisional Education
Director W.A. Perera, parents of the students and a number of teachers
were also present. |
