Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government is making every effort to ensure the quality education to nurture a developed citizen that the country requires, and that providing quality education is a massive process that takes time and must begin not only with curriculum changes, but also by ensuring all necessary infrastructure for both students and teachers.
The Prime Minister made these remarks, while participating in a certificates and medal awarding ceremony to recognize students of the Senanayake National College, Chilaw who had achieved all-island victories. The Prime Minister participated in this event after inspecting the school which was severely damaged due to the cyclone Ditiwah.
Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated:
This school holds a great legacy when it comes to receiving quality education. It is one of the 54 schools that were included in the first school system established when Mr. C.W.W. Kannangara introduced free education.
Mr. Kannangara introduced free education with a far-reaching vision. What he sought was to ensure access to quality education in order to build the developed citizen the country needs. However, there were always groups who strongly opposed free education while receiving private benefits.
After I was elected to Parliament, I read the parliamentary debates held during the introduction of free education that available at the Parliamentary Library. Some of the statements made by certain leaders are recorded there. They had opposed free education claiming that it would prevent them from even plucking a coconut from their own gardens.
On this occasion, I also learned another fact. Our fellow college Venura Edirisinghe had been educated at this very school. We all know that Venura Edirisinghe sacrificed his life for free education, struggling selflessly for the future of the next generation. If such noble and principled individuals were alive today, our country would not be in its present condition, but in a far better state.
We do not want to build a society where young people with such great vision are compelled to sacrifice their lives. Our objective is to nurture individuals with those who hold the same noble qualities.
Our aim is to build an environment and an education system that enables individuals to reach the highest possible standards based on their abilities and skills.
What is required is not merely standing up for oneself, but creating individuals who can understand others, act with empathy, provide leadership to transform society, and build a civilized and humane community. This is what we expect to achieve through our education policy.
The Government will intervene to develop this school, which holds such a remarkable heritage. I believe you have the potential to transform it into a school that is recognized nationally, and also globally.
Despite the various obstacles and challenges faced, everyone in the Zonal Education of Chilaw has the strength and courage required to achieve this.
The event was attended by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government prof. Chandana Abayarathna; Members of Parliament Gayan Janaka, Hiruni Wijesinghe, and Mohamed Faisal; Principal of Senanayake National School, Chilaw, Mrs. S.P.N.S. Pathirana; along with teachers and students.
Prime Minister’s Media Division