President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the country is striving to develop the best education system in South Asia, tailored for the future.
He was speaking during the ceremony to hand over the first phase of the newly constructed three-storey building at Buddhist Girls’ National College, Kirimatiyana, Chilaw on Friday.
Despite facing economic challenges, the President said the Government has prioritised funding for education, highlighting that education is the strength of the country.
The President said the Government’s responsibility is to develop the country, emphasising that this is not a time for mere slogan-chanting. To achieve development, a new path must be taken, and everyone should support the Government’s program for economic transformation and rapid progress.
The President said that the Government plans to restart the Economic Zone in Madampe and develop the area into a hub for tourism, economic activity, and information technology.
He said despite the difficult economic situation, the Government is committed to providing modern education for children. “It is not productive to dwell on past education systems. Instead, we should focus on creating the best education system in South Asia for our future. Education is the strength of our country, and we have always strived to maintain a strong education system.”
“When I assumed office, the country was bankrupt, and political parties were divided. In response, a group of us united to form a Government and advance the economy. Now, it is time to think about the future. We are gradually resolving economic problems and moving forward.”
According to the International Monetary Fund’s statement, we have successfully secured the funding for the next quarter. The committee of countries that have officially loaned money to Sri Lanka will meet next week. Following that meeting, we expect to exit bankruptcy. Achieving this status in less than two years is a significant accomplishment.
“However, we cannot be complacent. We must adhere to the agreement with the International Monetary Fund, aiming to reduce unemployment to five percent within the next two years and increase our incomes. A program has been outlined to achieve these goals, and the country’s development hinges on its successful implementation. We need to embrace new thinking and have integrated new technology into education.”
