Devi Balika Vidyalaya prize giving:

‘Professional knowledge, skills, musts for a good leader’

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

Professional knowledge and skills are essential to be a good leader in any field, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said.

“It is clear that the school education system produces clever students, but their qualities should be sharpened,” he said as Chief Guest at the annual prize giving of Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo yesterday.

He said all schools, universities and the society have a responsibility to produce leaders with good qualities and skills.

The Defence Secretary said to become a good leader, it is necessary to be a good decision maker.

He said to become a good decision maker, it is necessary to have a good knowledge about the field.

“Weak leadership qualities are barriers for the country’s development,” Secretary Rajapaksa said.

“A leader with a good personality has the power to do things that cannot be done. Dedication also plays a key role among good leadership qualities. When President Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected in 2005, a large number of foreign leaders said LTTE terrorism could not be defeated through military operations and the only way to defeat terrorists was discussion. But with his past experience, the President realised that discussions were not practicable and it was not the way to win the this struggle,” he said.

The Defence Secretary said it is true that most countries did not succeed in finding solutions for struggles through defence operations.

“But with a proper plan we were able to defeat the terrorists,” he said. “Nothing is impossible for a person with good knowledge and dedication.”

Devi Balika Vidyalaya Principal W D P K Samarasinghe and Education Ministry officials were among the participants.