'Programmes launched to create scholars'

Priyanka KURUGALA

The Technology and Research Ministry together with the Education Ministry has launched several programmes to create scholars in the country, said Technology and Research Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi.

She was addressing the inaugural ceremony of a series of programmes of the Science Educational Tour at Royal Collage Nawarangahala, Colombo recently.

The programme was organized by the Technology and Research Ministry. "The government will be able to make the country a centre of knowledge in the near future," Minister Wanniarachchi said.

Today a harmonious society has been created in the country. Children in the North and South can work together, she said.

The science educational tour is implemented to motivate children on science and technology, and to introduce methods of launching research in institutions such as NERD and Industrial Technology Institute under the Technology and Research Ministry.

Around 500 students participated in this event from educational regions of Kilinochchi and Jaffna.

"About 30-years ago many people from the Northern and Eastern Provinces worked in other regions in the country. Many people in the Northern and Eastern Provinces were able to enter high positions at that time," Minister Wanniarachchi said adding, today, everybody can work together.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said his ministry has drawn up a plan to launch many student exchange programmes among schools throughout the country.

The ministry aims to change attitudes in a positive way among ethnic groups, he said.