Arahant Mahinda’s visit heralded the Culture, Traditions and Civilisation of our Country- Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana
Acting Education Minister and Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr Bandula Gunawardhana yesterday presented prizes and certificates to winners of the Poson Lantern competition in the Schools section of “Dharma Rashmi 2024” Poson Zone organised for the second time in Homagama town, held at the Homagama Pitipana Mahinda Rajapaksa College stadium yesterday.
About 1,000 Poson Lanterns were submitted from the schools of Homagama Education Zone for the competition, with certificates and cash prizes awarded to the 1st 25 winners.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister said it is a truth accepted by all that the culture, traditions and civilisation of our country was created after the visit of Anubudu Mihindu Himi to this country, thousands of years ago. Accordingly, Anuradhapura became the center of knowledge after the Mahindagamana by accumulating vast knowledge with the beginning of Sri Lanka education centered by the Abhayagiriya Maha Viharaya. According to an Archeology expert, Anuradhapura, which was the center of the development of Sri Lankan civilisation, was ranked 10th among the most advanced cities in the world at that time. Accordingly, it is clear that the role of creating the shape of Sri Lanka’s Education began with the arrival of Anubudu Mihindu Thera to Sri Lanka.
One of the aims of Education is to pass on our culture to future generations. Civility and civilisation can be carried forward from generation to generation only if these children become good persons. There is a famous statement made by former South African President Nelson Mandela “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Accordingly, Education is the most powerful weapon because children can use it to change the world”. Education produces creative people with various talents and skills. The creative work learned in school helps produce creative people with advanced thinking and a good vision.
When we were children, we made lanterns with our friends in our villages for Vesak and Poson. That’s why I was able to do something different due to the creative things I have done in my childhood, based in the temple, Dhamma school and school.
Accordingly, I decided to build a school in the middle of a barren land without even a road. Accordingly, I started secondary school from the Grade 6, with 17 classrooms, even though everyone said it would fail. We have invited a group of excellent teachers from the government teaching service, who are willing to dedicate themselves to the school from 7.30 am to 3.30 pm. Children were asked to worship their parents before coming to school, and bring two food parcels from their home since there is no canteen in the school. The children were instructed to wear national dress and observe sil on every Poya day. The children became the children who built their lives with the most disciplined desire. Principals and teachers worked hard and, as a result, there are 128 classes today. There are nearly 7,000 students and nearly 300 teachers. Mahinda Rajapaksa Vidyalaya in Homagama has transformed into a model higher secondary school in Asia.
768 students appeared for the GCE O/L from this school, and all of them got 100% results. We all helped them. Only this school has a fully digitized classroom. Most of the teachers who worked very efficiently and effectively in our College, are Principals in schools around this region now. When I became the Minister of Education, Homagama Education Zone was the last place among the Education Zones in the Western Province and now, it is ranked 5th in the Western Province.
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