We should learn our history - PM

NADIRA GUNATILLEKE

The subject of history was removed from the school syllabi at various times and the young generation did not receive an opportunity to learn the history of Sri Lanka. Today, the younger generation have to be re-reminded of our history because of certain things done by persons who do not know the country's history, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said.

"We should learn our history," the PM said.

Addressing the 189th anniversary of Weera Keppetipola held at Badulla public ground recently, the Prime Minister said that Weera Keppetipola fought against the colonialists to win freedom for Mother Lanka but was betrayed by some Sinhala traitors and had to sacrifice his life.

The persons who do not know the country's history think that everything we enjoy today are granted to us. But the people who lived in the past fought and acquired all the things we enjoy today. We accept both the good and bad things given to us by the West which led us to show contempt to our history. The result was that the subject of history was taken off the school syllabus," the Premier said.

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that it was our past heroes who rescued Uva-Wellassa and at present they are being commemorated on a grand scale.

"No Government, until now had taken measures to uplift the Uva-Wellassa and solve the problems of the people living in the area. The present Government has made arrangements to develop the area under the Pubudamu Wellassa programme," Minister de Silva said.