Daily News, 18/06/2011
Disna MUDALIGE
"Facilities and privileges enjoyed by students in foreign countries should be made available to our children to obtain fruitful results from free education," said Irrigation and Water Resource Management Minister and Leader of the House Nimal Siripala de Silva.
He said the government has no intention to abolish the free education system and it wants to strengthen it.
He said higher education opportunities for our children should be broadened to achieve the Mahinda Chithana Vision's target to become the knowledge hub in the region. "When considering the education field it is high time for us to think global while retaining our national integrity, our culture and love for the country," he observed.
He was participating as the chief guest at the inauguration of 'Future Minds 2011- National Educational and Career Gateway' organized by Nalanda Junior Old Boys' Association for the sixth consecutive time.
The minister also observed that attitudes regarding certain spheres of employment should be changed. "Going after white collar jobs should be changed," he said.
He noted that a galaxy of opportunities is available for Sri Lankan youth but there is a shortage of qualified youth to fill these vacancies.
"As a nation we must be together to defeat foreign conspiracies to see fruitful benefits of our development endeavors," he said.
Thilanga Sumathipala MP, Nalanda College Principal Ranjith Jayasundara and Nalanda Junior Old Boys' Association President Ravi Hettiarachchi also spoke.
