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| Monday, 23 August 2004 |
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Politics | |
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| We should be loyal and patriotic to motherland - CP Chief Minister by S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy South Group Correspondent Our country is rich in culture and we should be proud of it and we should not call ourselves a poor nation though we are classed under as a third world under-developed country. We have a history which is over 2,500 years old. We should not be judged by our financial strength alone, said the Chief Minister of the Central Province Sarath Ekanayake. He made these observations when he addressed the annual prize giving of St. Sylvesters College, Kandy, as the Chief Guest held at the Rev. Fr. Robert M. Perera Memorial Hall. Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake said that the free education was introduced to this country by the late C.W.W. Kannangara who felt that the under-privileged should be given an equal opportunity to study and attain excellence in education. This has placed a serious responsibility on the shoulders of the teachers who have to cast and mould the children of this country into responsible citizens so that they will be useful to the society and to the country at large. He was sure that the teachers would deliver the goods in respect. He said that this is a gifted country rich in tradition with a history dating back to over 2,500 years. We must preserve it. But at the same time keep in tune with the changes which are taking place in other parts of the world. Emphasis must be placed on English education and also computer literacy is a must to meet the challenges of the present day. Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake also said that we should be loyal and patriotic to our motherland which has nurtured us and we must display that we are second to none. We should be proud of our motherland and when the National Anthem is sung, blood should rise to our finger tips as we should be national minded. He said that our children are not poor as all are born alike and it is in this world that all sorts of distinctions takes place. Some are born to affluent parents and this is something which is achieved in or thrust on you in this world. Because of poverty, our women go abroad for employment and face a lot of problems and owning a television set or a refrigerator they think is everything. But look back where is our culture, and must preserve it for the posterity. We should be proud of it. Continuing Chief Minister said today, children could be seen going behind politicians to get employment or other favours but very soon this will end as we will be self sufficient and stand on our feet and also avenues will be opened on a large scale for self employment. In conclusion he said that the Principal of the School had made two requests and the request for the construction of the College Hall will be undertaken very soon with funds from the Central Province Provincial Council. The Principal of the School K.M.S. Meetiyagoda read the prize day report. The Special Award for securing first place in the Kandy district at the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination 2003 was awarded to A.M.A.N. Amarakoon. The Berty Nillegoda Memorial Prize for the Best Allround Student 2003 was awarded to K.B. Asela Eranda. |
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