President at KDU Convocation:

Country devoid of petty differences will help achieve national reconciliation

Chaminda PERERA

A developed country devoid of petty differences will help achieve national reconciliation, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

He said all defence personnel must help build the country which would lead to national reconciliation. The President said defence personnel have a responsibility to close all doors that lead to war.

“The best way to ensure national security is to close all doors that lead to war and the officers who pass out from the university are deployed to execute the noble task of ensuring a peaceful future for posterity,” President Rajapaksa said delivering the Convocation Address of the Kotelawala Defence University at Temple Trees yesterday.

He said pro - terrorists elements are attacking Sri Lanka under the guise of protecting Human Rights.

“The best way to ensure national security is to close all doors leading to war,” he said.

President Rajapaksa said members of defence Forces earned honour and respect of the people while fighting against terrorists.

“You also earn the people’s honour while being involved in the nation building effort,” he said. The President said defence personnel should have a closer cooperation with the civil society. President Rajapaksa said Sri Lankans like to see their children receiving a high standard of training given to defence personnel.

The government provides leadership training for university entrants for this reason even though some elements with international links scoff at it citing that the country is being militarised by the government, he said.

The President said the previous government was hesitant in strengthening the country’s Forces in the backdrop of allegations by some quarters. “Some quarters had a question over the role of Security Forces in the aftermath of war. They were of the view that such a massive Force was fruitless,” he said.

President Rajapaksa said members of the Tamil community are being recruited to Cvil Defence Force and the Tri -Forces and the Police have opened doors for all communities.

He hoped more youths from Muslim and Tamil communities would join the Tri-Forces and the Police.

The President said the Kotelawala Defence University is an example to all universities operating under the Free Education system.

“The adoption of policies in accordance with national requirements helped the Kotelawala Defence University make a number of achievements in the higher education sector. It is an example to other universities benefitted by the Free Education System,” he said.

The President said the KDU opened its doors for students who can pay money for degree programmes conducted by the university.

He was of the view that this decision would help save a large amount of money draining out of country for overseas education. The President said KDU has done a laudable service to the country by accommodating these students to the university.

He said he also receives many inquiries from leaders of different countries.

The people’s attitude towards free education at the time when it was introduced to the country has changed and Sri Lankans have started to spend a massive amount for education.

The number of Sri Lankans seeking foreign education has increased tremendously with the country being upgraded to a middle income earning status from a Third World country, the President said.

He said the number of students who qualify to enter universities are higher than those who are actually studying in universities.

A Teaching Hospital attached to the Medical faculty of KDU will be established at Werahera.

The President said construction would begin next year.

“Your colleagues who passed out from this university four years ago were in the forefront of battle against terrorism,” he said.