President advises children on value of freedom

President Mahinda Rajapaksa while expressing his delight at the large number of children present at Temple Trees yesterday to witness the launch of the book Wedana Manasata Aharak (Nutrition for the Growing Mind) written by Ven. Badagiriye Somawansa Thera, gave the youngsters a number of advises on the value of freedom, expressing their natural talents and how to become a productive and erudite citizen.

He told them: “My heart fills with happiness when Temple Trees gets filled with so many little sons and daughters.

When I see you, a world famous story sprang to my mind. I will tell it to you now.”

“Once upon a time in a remote village there existed a beautiful garden full of lovely flowers, butterflies, birds etc. Children frequented it and played with full of happiness”.

“One day a selfish and cruel giant came and chased away the children. He also built a wall around the garden to prevent them from entering it again”.

“In a few days flowers and fruits perished and birds and butterflies left the garden. Whatever the giant did the garden did not achieve its former beauty. However one day a small boy slipped through a small hall in the wall of the garden and started playing in it without the knowledge of the giant.

“After some time the birds and butterflies came back. Flowers and fruits filled the trees once again. The giant saw this and learned his lesson and immediately demolished the wall and welcomed children to the garden with both hands.” “In the not too distant past the children of this country too had to endure such pain. They were not given the freedom of movement they desired. Children from the north east could not come to Colombo. They could not visit and enjoy the Galle Face Green.

“In the north and east children were forcefully taken away by terrorists when going to school. But today all children are enjoying a new found freedom due to the defeat of these forces of terror. We all have to take the responsibility in protecting this freedom won at great cost and as the future flag bearers of this country you have a great responsibility in this regard,” he said.

The President also told elders that the children should be allowed to express their talents, creativeness and imagination freely without imposing undue pressure on them.