The President has emphatically mentioned that the nation is not prepared to betray the sovereignty of the motherland. He pointed out that Sri Lanka is now an independent country after ending the era of subjugation.
The distribution of school gear among Grade One students of the Kalutara District under the “Diri Uda” programme was held at St. Mary’s College in Matugama this morning under the patronage of President Rajapaksa. This was the fourth occasion of the “Diri Uda” programme, launched annually according to a concept of Minister Kumara Welgama.
Referring to the “Diri Uda” programme, Minister Kumara Welgama said that he is very thankful to the President as their area was fast developing when the President arrives. He called on all children who will be receiving the gifts made by him from the President to make optimum use of it an d pursue their studies and become good citizens.
School bags and school gear was dished out to children who gained Grade One admission this year from the Kalutara District.
The recipients numbered 2000. 21,000 children are due to receive them. Symbolizing the handing over the President presented school bags and school gear to 46 students. The President handed the keys of three buses gifted to the Kamburawala Maha Vidyalaya, Dodangoda Miriswatte Vidyalaya and the Bulalthsinhala National School.
Expressing views on the school gear received, student Dehemi Sanchathika said that that they are very happy today. Minister Kumara Welgama was gifting bags to them. She said that the President has also come for this occasion and they are proud of it. She welcomed all the guests including the President.
Expressing views at the function, President Rajapaksa emphasized that the nation is not prepared to betray the sovereignty of the motherland. He said that not a single country which had ended terrorism had develop at such a speed like Sri Lanka.
The President said that when he was watching ITN news the deaths that occurred during the conflict period were being reported. Every day it exceeded 100. These are children who joined the Sinhala Forces. They were vested with the task of halting it. The country was liberated without being permitted to be fragmented. As a result there are no bomb explosions. But the President said that every six months landmine explode when they go to Geneva. Sri Lanka was subjugated to Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. Now the country is free. Now some communities are attempting to dominate them. The United Nations is being exploited for this purpose. There is no country in the world that has developed within a short period of four years since ending terrorism. Despite all these developments, queries are being made as to what happened during the last three days of the humanitarian operation. Isn’t there any punishment to those who committed murders during the last two days of the Second World War. Many are pelting stones staying in glass houses. The President said how he responded to those who made queries in England that protection was need from those who pelted stones from glass houses.
The President also declared open the new Matugama new Divisional Secretariat office complex this morning. The President who arrived for the opening of the Complex was warmly greeted by crowds which gathered at the location.
The President inspected the new Division Secretariat Office after vesting in the public by unveiling the plaque. The new three storied building was put up at a cost of 61 million rupees to provide an efficient service to the public arriving there to meet their needs. It is equipped with all modern facilities. In future the people of Matugama will be able to meet their administrative needs under one roof.
Ministers Kumara Welgama, Bandula Gunawardena, Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Deputy Minister Nirmala Kotlawala were among the large gathering present.
Meanwhile, the President under took an observation tour of the Artificial Limb Manufacturing Centre in Nagoda and the residential hospital.
The President observed the activities of the Awaaz Private Limited at Nagoda in Kalutra which is an Artificial Limb Manufacturing Plant. The artificial limbs are manufactured by Aruna Samarwickrema and it has earned international praise.
He was honoured with the Presidential Award for the most significant innovation in the year 2005 and also won the Silver Award for the most flexible artificial limb at the 35th International Innovators competition staged in Switzerland in 2007 from among 143 countries. The President who made inquiries on the productions at the Plant, also made inquiries into the wellbeing of the patients who are warded at the Hospital for medical tests and training. The President also served them with fruits. Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena joined the President in this observation visit.
Post a Comment