Political stability, key factor in foreign assistance to Lankan education - Higher Education Minister

COLOMBO: The present political stability and the steps taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to strengthen Advanced Technical Institutes will encourage foreign governments to lend their assistance to Sri Lanka, Higher Education Minister Prof. Wiswa Warnapala said.

The Minister said this at a meeting with Austrian professional and advisor to Technical Education, Juergen Tharman at the Ministry recently.

This meeting was held to welcome financial and other technical assistance offered by the Netherlands and Austrian authorities to improve technological education in Sri Lanka.

“The accepted policy of the Government is to make use of the education policy to provide professionals and technical people for the progress of the country.

To achieve this objective, it is my duty to make the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE), a viable organisation to cater to the needs of the industrial sector.

We have found that the industrial sector is in need of middle level technicians and engineers to accomplish various tasks that are of national importance.

To fulfil this obligation and to meet with the requirements of the industrial sector in providing adequate number of skilled professionals and middle level technicians and engineers, the SLIATE can perform a wonderful job,” said Professor Warnapala.

The Government highly values the assistance assured by the Netherlands and Austrian authorities to upgrade and strengthen Advanced Technical Institutes in Labuduwa and Mattakkuliya. President Rajapaksa’s recent visit to China and the multiple agreements that have been signed, affirm that Sri Lanka is not isolated.

The international community is firmly behind us and committed to help us when political stability and peace becomes a reality under the able leadership of President Rajapaksa.

It is the responsibility of Government institutions and officials who handle foreign funds to ensure that these funds are channelled for the declared purposes, he added.

Ministry Secretary K. W. E. Karalliyadde, SLIATE General Director Kamal Pathmasiri, Free Lanka Trading Co. Ltd Chairman K. Aloysius and Consultant Priyal de Silva also participated.