President calls for unity and progress at St. Michael’s College 150th Anniversary celebrations

President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasised the importance of unity and development for the country’s future during the 150th-anniversary celebration of St. Michael’s College in Batticaloa, on Saturday (7).

The President commended the school for its diverse student body and its role in promoting harmony among different communities.President Wickremesinghe stressed that unity among Sri Lankans was the foundation for resolving ethnic and religious issues, also the progress for the development, highlighting the need for all Sri Lankans to come together as one people, regardless of their differences, to move forward and rebuild the nation after years of division and turmoil.

He noted that the country had faced significant hardships that divisions had taken the country to the brink of collapse, referencing times when essential resources like petrol and food were scarce and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a poignant moment during his speech, President Wickremesinghe highlighted the power of unity when the choir of St. Michael’s sang “Namo Namo Matha” in Tamil. He emphasized that regardless of the language it’s sung in, the message remains the same – that all Sri Lankans are children of one mother.

President Wickremesinghe stressed the need to overcome ethnic and religious differences, acknowledging that such divisions have hindered progress in the past. He pledged to engage with leaders to address these issues and urged everyone to come together to find solutions, emphasizing the importance of resolving these “small things” for the greater good of the nation.

The President also unveiled plans for greater devolution of power to provincial councils, recognizing the need for local governance in various sectors such as education, tourism, agriculture and health. He highlighted the need for tailored governance at the provincial level to address the unique needs of different regions while maintaining high standards and discipline.

The President revealed on-going discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to restructure the nation’s debt and navigate out of financial hardship. However, he emphasized that the responsibility for overcoming these challenges rested not just with the government but with every citizen.

The President encouraged dialogue and political discussions as a means to resolve issues within the country, asserting that Sri Lankans must work together to find solutions rather than seeking external intervention. He emphasized the need for maintaining high standards and addressing human rights issues within the country.

President Wickremesinghe commended St. Michael’s for its ability to bridge cultural and societal barriers, where students from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, including Tamils, Sinhalese and others, had studied together. He highlighted the school as an example of how national unity can be achieved, emphasising that it can serve as a model for resolving differences and moving the country forward.

During the commemorative event, encouraging the educational excellence President Ranil Wickremesinghe distributed gifts to those who successfully passed the college’s Advanced Level Examinations. Recognising the educators’ vital role in shaping the future of the students and the nation as a whole, President Wickremesinghe took a group photo with the dedicated teaching staff of St. Michael’s College.

Eastern Province Governor Senthil Thondaman, State Ministers S.Viyalanderan and Sivanesathurai Santhirakanthan, school’s Principal Anton Benedict, past and present students and other attendees were present.

The post President calls for unity and progress at St. Michael’s College 150th Anniversary celebrations appeared first on DailyNews.