Child abusers beware - President

Rasika SOMARATHNA in Hakmana

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday emphasized that all forms of abuse against children would be severely dealt with. Law enforcement officials have been advised to take strict and swift action against offenders without taking into consideration their social standings, he added.

President Rajapaksa was speaking at a ceremony which followed the declaring open of a new three storied building for Henry Ariyaratne Maha Vidyalaya in Narawelpitiya North, Hakmana built at a cost of Rs 500 million utilizing the funds given by renowned businessman L.H. Piyasena. Addressing the large gathering the President said that children were the most priced asset of the nation and the Government under his leadership would take every effort to protect them.

He said that he had sought a report from the Police and also had brought to the notice of the Cabinet certain complaints he had personally received and added that all efforts would be made to prevent acts of child abuse. He stressed that protecting the future generation was the collective responsibility of all and as such society as a whole should take a stand in this regard. President Rajapaksa also spoke of widening the scope of education and looking beyond the traditional University qualifications as a means for employment.

He observed that all parents wanted their children to be doctors, engineers, lawyers etc. but neglected other forms of education\skills which would obtain them equally prestigious\lucrative employment opportunities.

He noted that there was a high global demand for professionals in varied fields excluding the above and added that teachers should make children aware on such opportunities at least at the Advanced Level.

He emphasized that Sri Lanka needed quality manpower in varied fields to supplement its massive development drive and that it was the responsibility of relevant authorities to mould the children to be worthy stakeholders in the process.

The new School building complex which was opened on Monday consists of a Conference hall, a science lab and an IT division.

The fact that it was donated by an old boy (L.H. Piyasena Founder of the Group of Companies in his name sake) came in for high praise by the President who said that there were people who forget their humble beginnings, even their motherland when successful and prosperous but Piyasena definitely does not belong to that category.

He noted that such people and acts were an example to others.

The President on the same day vested with the people a new building complex in the Hakmana town built to house the Pradeshiya Sabha.

He also laid the foundation stone to build a new Town Hall for Hakmana which is a part of the efforts to make Hakmana a fully inclusive township.

Ministers Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene, A.L.M. Athaullah, Southern Chief Minister Shan Wijeyalal De Silva, Governor Kumari Balasuriya and a host of other dignitaries were present including local authorities.

Large crowds too were present to par take in the initiation of development activities in their home territory.