Govt committed to children's welfare - secretary to president

COLOMBO: The Government is committed to uplift children's standards in all aspects, said President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga. He was speaking at the awards ceremony of the national art and essay competition conduced by the Education Ministry and the open University of Sri Lanka.

The Government is dedicated for the children's welfare. We will create a better tomorrow for them," he said.

The eight national winners of the all island essay and arts competition, sponsored and organised by Dialog Telekom, look forward eagerly to go to the UK. The competition was organised under the theme of Rebuilding the Nation.

Culture and National Heritage Minister Mahinda Yapa Abewardena, and Dialog Telekom, CEO Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya were present.

Minister Abewardena said there is a myth in the society that learning arts will take you nowhere, if you take it up as a career. It will be a rewarding career, if you master it properly with dedication.

Around 150 winners from schools islandwide received prizes. Baletheranan Srikaran of Puthukkudiyiruppu Central College, Mullativu, the winner of the junior essay competition in Tamil medium joined with his friends in the South, looking forward to have a good time with them in England.

P.K. Isuru Suren of Thelijjawila Maha Vidyalaya, Matara receives his air ticket to England from President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and Dialog Telekom CEO Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya.