Govt to protect free education

Chaminda Perera reporting from Kahawatte

* Massive funds allocated

* Thousands of graduates given employment

The Government has never attempted to curtail free education. "We are dedicated to protect and promote free education in the country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in Kahawatte yesterday.

He was speaking at the inauguration of Ruwanpura National College of ICT Education. This College will produce IT teachers to the nation from next year, in collaboration with the ICT Department of Colombo and Moratuwa universities. No one will be allowed to destabilise the country which was rescued with much sacrifice, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Kahawatte yesterday.

President Rajapaksa

"I am dedicated to rebuild the country and no conspiracies will be allowed to take root to destroy the Motherland," the President said.

President Rajapaksa said the country has reached a very important turning point. "All should be committed to rebuild the country", he said.

"Various elements tried to take the youths for a ride by promising bracelets and a dole. But the intelligent younger generation in the country did not fall prey," he said.

The President stressed that the Government led by him did not look at youth with suspicion.

"We placed enormous faith in youth and their potential.

The youths of today wear bracelets which have been embossed with 'Api Wenuwen Api', the President added.

President Rajapaksa said the Government has allocated massive funds for education and health even while the humanitarian mission was going on. Some elements in the past tried to reduce the strength of the public service from 0.8 million to 0.6 million in compliance with the World Bank and IMF directives, he said.

The Government was able to provide unprecedented job opportunities to the youths, particulary to the graduates since it came into power, he said.

"We provided employment opportunities to thousands of graduates at a time when millions of employees were sacked by the developed countries in the world." Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne and Education Minister Susil Premjayanth also spoke.