Free education system will be strengthened to benefit all children - President

President Maithripala Sirisena says he will take steps to create a society of intellectuals by strengthening the free education system of the country and providing equal benefits to all the children in the country. He made these remarks participating at the centenary celebrations of the Visakha Vidyalaya, at the school premises on Monday (23). President Sirisena further said that the challenges of new technology, commercialization and competitiveness, as well as the powerful social evils pose great challenges for the future and in that context our children should be ready to move forward while protecting our values and culture. The President, who was warmly received by the students when he arrived at the venue, addressing the gathering, commended the great journey of 100 years of the Visakha Vidyalaya. In 1917, Mrs. Jeremias Dias founded the Visakha Vidyalaya and it is the oldest Buddhist Girls’ College in Sri Lanka. The commemorative coin issued to mark the centenary celebrations of the School was presented to the President by the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy. Ministers Ravi Karunanayake, Gayantha Karunathilaka, Secretary of the Ministry of Education Mr. Sunil Hettiarachchi, the staff of the Visakha Vidyalaya, including its Principal Sandamali Aviruppola, parents and past pupils participated at this event.