‘Quality education, govt’s cherished aim’

P P G Sugathadasa - Thihagoda group correspondent

The provision of a quality education to the children would be the cherished aim of the government, Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

He was addressing the hundredth anniversary celebrations of the Radampola Sri Sumangala Madhya Maha Vidyalaya at Urugamuwa, Radampola in Dickwella. The Minister was the chief guest. Alahapperuma said that the children today would be future leaders of the country. The greatest asset of the nation is its children. They should be morally and spiritually sound and also maintain a high standard in educational activities. Only then it would be possible for them to materialise expected attainments in their lives.

Minister Alahapperuma said his father was a principal of this school and his mother too served as a teacher there.

He has a deep respect for the vidyalaya as it is same with his Alma Mater.

He also expressed his gratitude to SPC Education Minister Chandima Rasaputra for initiating measures to enhance infrastructural facilities in this school.

The founder of this educational institute, late Venerable Radampola Sri Ratanapala Sumangala Thera was remembered with gratitude by the minister. He also described the yeoman service done by the Thera in creating a disciplined, educated and intelligent society.

He also expressed his thanks to the Postal Services Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga for taking measures to issue a stamp and a first day cover as well in commemoration of the 180th anniversary of the Radampola Sri Sumangala Madya Maha Vidyalaya.

Southern Provincial Education Minister Chandima Rasaputra said that he was doing his best to improve educational activities in the region. In view of painstaking efforts of the tutorial staff of this school, examination results of students are at a satisfactory level. Radampola Sri Sumangala Madhya Maha Vidyalaya Principal, Post Master General M K B Dissanayake and several others also spoke.

Mahanayaka Thera of the Sri Rohana Chapter and also the Chancellor of the Ruhuna University Most Venerable Athudawe Sri Rahula, leading Buddhist monks in the region and many other invitees and residents were present.