READING EXPANDS A CHILD'S MIND, BROADENS KNOWLEDGE - ANURA

by Attanagalla special correspondent Jayaweera Sugathapala

Children need a sound knowledge and good qualities to prosper in this competitive world. So the reading habit has to be encouraged in children, said Industries, Investment Promotion and Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike speaking as the chief guest at the annual awards presentation of the Veyangoda Bandaranaike National School recently.

Reading expands the child's mind and broadens his and her knowledge of the world, the Minister remarked.

He said that Veyangoda Bandaranaike Madya Maha Vidyalaya, a reputed school in the Gampaha district, was the alma mater of several prominent figures who rendered a great service to the country. Even today the college is in the forefront of maintaining those qualities, the Minister said.

He also said that his father S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike in 1953, as a Cabinet Minister of the then UNP government took the initiative to open this college in this serene environment. My mother also had a close link with this college until her demise.

My sister, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga as the President of the country upgraded this college to National School status. I am the fourth of the Bandaranaike family to participate as a chief guest at a ceremony of this reputed college, the Minister said.

He said, that Sri Lanka had the highest rate of literacy among countries in Asia. Reading should be encouraged in children to keep abreast of the current world affairs.

Stressing the need of preserving Parliamentary democracy, the Minister said that there can be no genuine democracy unless we abolish the present Constitution. The Freedom Alliance government would do everything within its means to abolish this bizarre Constitution.

Minister Bandaranaike also promised to provide funds for the construction of a sports pavilion, a long-felt need of the college.

Minister Bandaranaike, Old Boys Association President Siripala Jayaweera, Deputy Principal G. A. Piyadasa and the ex-Principal Priyantha Srilal Nonis presented the awards.

Principal W. P. S. K. Wijesingha delivered the welcome speech while student Kalum Anuradha proposed the vote of thanks.