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To a government of a democratic, developing country the most important element is time management. For a responsible person to be punctual is sheer respect to the other. Time is important to all. If the high ups assume that they can attend to their personal work and then come at any time they prefer with others having to wait for them, that concept does not suit the present times at all. In the modern times it is the duty of every one, including the politicians to be mindful of time. These views were expressed by Prof. G. L. Peiris, Chairman of the Prof. G. L. Peiris Foundation and Minister of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, Minister of Constitutional Affairs in his address as Chief Guest at the Awards Ceremony held at the Maharagama Youth Centre, organized by the Foundation to award certificates to students who successfully completed the fourth stage of the English Language training program conducted in 15 centres in the Colombo district, jointly by the Foundation and the Department of Official Languages. Approximately 1,000 students, having completed the fourth stage of the program received certificates on this day.

Speaking further Minister Peiris remarked, history is a flowing river. Society in the past 350 years did not stagnate but lived on and existed like a flowing river. The concepts of a feudal system do not suit the present times. One who does not work on time, leave alone ruling a country, will not be able to even manage a small boutique. If one cannot conduct or control oneself, ruling a country is out of the question. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will never delay without a reason. He will never postpone matters. A developing country in an advanced world would certainly need leaders of his calibre. On these lines, it is important to think what should be the style that is required by this country. Today, the knowledge of English language and computer literacy is extremely important. What we have commenced is an appropriate training program, with the objective of enabling youth to secure jobs.

If in a society there exist youth groups with no hopes for the future, there is a risk of them being involved in destructive or subversive activities. Minister Peiris said he is quite aware of this fact, having served a Commission, appointed by the late President Premadasa to look into youth unrest. What youth wanted then was to give them the fair opportunity to develop their talents. A proper education system and appropriate employment. They took to arms, purely due to non-availability of such opportunities. What should be the solution? Modernize the education system, provide opportunities to youth and show them the correct career paths. This is the need of today and the government having fully understood the situation, has commenced programs such as graduate employment schemes and youth forces.

Minister Peiris explained that the work of the Prof. G. L. Peiris Foundation has been prioritized to meet the above needs and he expressed his profound gratitude to all these supportive of the program, including the political authorities of the area.

Minister Bandula Goonawardene - Expressing his views. The only way that the less privileged children would be able to get on their feet, is through educating themselves to the maximum. However, he said, there is a problem in the educational arena. Scholars are not produced to suit the present needs of the country. There is no way that one could secure a job with just the Ordinary Levels or Advanced Levels. One may hold a degree in Archaeology but without employment available. If we don't strike a balance in this problem, the future of the country will be grave.

Lilantha Perera, MP said today, if one applies for a job the first question would be whether he is conversant with the English Language. However much you may qualify, if you don't have the ability to speak English, the onward journey will come to a halt. When this happens, unintentionally one gets involved in wrong doings. The program launched by the Prof. G. L. Peiris Foundation, prevents such a situation from taking place. This service should be considered of immense value to the society. Nimal R. Peiris, UNF Organizer of Maharagama, Ms Padma D. Jayaweera - Commissioner of Official Languages, Mr. Arne Fjortoff-Secretary General of World View International, were present on this occasion.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Buddhi Udayapriya - Administrative Officer of the Foundation. Also present were, Dilantha Vithanage-Director IT of World View International, Almon Peiris-Member of Western Provincial Council, and Dayasiri Jayasekera - Private Secretary to Minister G. L. Peiris.

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