Kavitha to enhance students' creativity

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Sports and Skills Development Department of the Higher Education Ministry has organised the Kavitha programme to enhance creativity of university students and all other State higher educational institutes under the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and guidance of Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake.

"All students entering the universities have many skills. But they have no opportunity to develop those skills in the Sri Lankan university system. Therefore, we have a responsibility to provide an opportunity to university students to promote their skills," said Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake addressing the press to introduce the Kavitha programme.

This is the first time the Sri Lankan university system is launching such a programme. The first phase of this programme will be held in March, 2012.

Sunil Ariyaratne is the Director of the Kavitha programme which includes art, dancing, filming, literature, media, music, photography and stage drama. Several sections such as filming, literature and drama will be held in both Sinhala and Tamil mediums. The Higher Education Ministry will provide Rs. 100,000 for the first places, Rs. 75,000 for the second places and Rs. 50,000 for the third places of these competitions.

Higher Education Deputy Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake, Ministry Secretary Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne, University Grants Commission Chairman Prof. Gamini Samaranayake, Vice Chancellors of several universities and the directors of art, literature, stage drama, filming, music, dancing, media and photography sections also participated.