Colombo (LNW): Minister of Education and Leader of the House, Susil Premajayantha, emphasised the value of the Student Parliament in shaping the future leadership of the country.
Speaking at the inaugural debate of the Student Parliament at Sivali Central College in Ratnapura, held at the Ministry of Education on Friday (24), Minister Premajayantha highlighted the importance of providing children with practical political experience to contribute to a strong political future.
The Minister noted that approximately 3,000 student parliaments are currently active nationwide, with the ministry’s goal being to nurture responsible, decent, and honest leadership from an early age.
Addressing the gathering, Assistant Secretary General of Parliament, Hansa Abeyratne, underlined the significance of the Parliament as the supreme institution in the country, as outlined in Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitution.
He emphasised that despite challenges, parliamentary democracy is a time-tested concept with no viable alternative.
Following the opening remarks, the Student Parliament commenced, focusing on the topic “The contribution of the education system to building sustainable development and the role of the Student Parliament.”
At the conclusion of the debate, certificates were awarded to student parliamentarians, and officials from the Ministry of Education received sets of books compiled on the parliamentary process.
The event, attended by Venerable clergy, Additional Secretary (Administration) to the Prime Minister Harsha Wijewardene, Co-Curriculum Director of the Education Ministry Githani Subasinghe, officials from the Department of Communication of Parliament, Principal of Sivali Central College, Ratnapura Captain Neil Dhammika Watukarawatta, Deputy Principal, teachers, and students, was organized jointly by the Ministry of Education and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
