Sri Lanka reaches new heights in education sector - minister

Ishara Mudugamuwa

Sri Lanka has reached new heights in the education sector, said Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

The minister was speaking at the inauguration of the schools development programme in the Ratmalana Divisional Secretariat, at Science College, Mount Laviniya.

He said Sri Lanka has gained tremendous achievement due to the free education system. "There was an era that education was limited only to the elite. This situation was changed with the introduction of the free education system," he said.

In accordance with a request made by Power and Energy Minister and Rathmalana Divisional Coordination Committee president Patali Champika Ranawaka, Korean ambassador to Sri Lanka Jung Moon Choi has taken measures to upgrade schools in Rathmalana Divisional Secretariat and produce model schools. The Korean government donated solar powered bulbs and musical instruments.

Korean ambassador to Sri Lanka Jung Moon Choi said Sri Lanka has great potential for development.

"People in Sri Lanka are smart and hard workers. A large number of Sri Lankans work in Korea. The Korean government likes to offer jobs for Sri Lankans because of their dedication and hard work," he said. Coordination Secretary to the Education Ministry and Youth Affairs and Skills Development Ministry Mohan Lal Grero said developing physical sources is not enough to produce knowledgeable people to the country.

"Our environment is a university. If children can deeply examine the environment they can study lots of things from that. Though the National Institute of Education provides a good syllabus for schools, most of the schools do not follow it well."

"It is necessary to have skilled children for the country's future prosperity. Children are the actors of the country's development drive. So teachers have a very big responsibility to produce a skilled workforce for the country.

Dehiwala-Mount Laviniya Municipal Council Deputy Mayor Kesarralal Gunasekara and many others participated on the occasion.