President tells child population:

‘Love your motherland’

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has called on the child population to love and dedicate themselves to the country, though they belong to various ethnic groups such as Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim.

The President made this observation at a function at Temple Trees on April 30 to grant 400 scholarships to children of members of the Employees Trust Fund who had obtained highest marks at the Year Five Scholarship Examination in 2010.

The President further said that the country is free today and the children can receive their education and engage in sports activities without fear and suspicion. But, he said various groups are trying to change this situation.

President Rajapaksa who explained the importance of reading and sports for the schoolchildren pointed out the necessity to obtained an education in Information Technology and English.

The scholarship program for children of members of the Employees’ Trust Fund was initiated by President Rajapaksa when he was Labour Minister held this time for the 17th year.

Five thousand children of members of the Employees’ Trust Fund had qualified for scholarships this year and 400 of them received scholarships from the President. Each scholarship holder was given Rs. 15,000 which was credited to the People’s Bank Sisu Udana Account.

Among those who were present were the President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Ministers Sarath Amunugama, Bandula Gunawardena and Gamini Lokuge, Deputy Minister Geethanjana Gunawardena and the Education Ministry Secretary H. M. Gunasekera.