– It is the responsibility of teachers to protect the value of the teaching community
– A system for increasing the salary of civil servants will be started from next year
– The President’s special speech gives hope for the future
President Ranil Wickramasinghe announced that it is mandatory for teachers to be in schools in the morning for the education of children, and if this does not happen in the coming days, the teaching service will be declared an essential service.
The President made this known while meeting Mahanayaka Thera Sri Varakagoda Gnanarathana Thera today (27).
The President emphasized that the teachers and principals should act as role models for the children’s future and when they engage in protests and strikes, they should think about how they can give advice and guidance to the children in the future.
The President pointed out that not everyone in the teaching service participated in this protest and that he had received information that only political people participated in it, and said that this would tarnish the teaching profession as a whole.
The president informed that this neglect of work is seen only in Sinhala schools and said that the educational activities of Tamil, Muslim and private schools are going on as usual.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe also said that there have been reports of the security guards of the school sending students back and he has instructed the Inspector General of Police to implement the law regarding such incidents.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (27) morning visited the historic Kandy Talatha Palace and received blessings. Basnayake Nilamemars welcomed the President who went to Dalatha House and Vicar including Thiavadana Nilame.
After that, Maha Sangha recited Prith and blessed the President who was engaged in worship at Dalatha House.
During this, the President also visited the statues of King and Queen created using artificial intelligence technology by artist Atula Herat at Kandy Talatha Palace.
After that, the President had a friendly conversation with the general public who had come to visit the Dalatha Palace.
After that, the President went to Malwathu Maha Viharai and the Maha Nayak Thera of Malwathu Peedam. Tippadua himself met Sri Sumangala Thera and received his blessings.
The President, who met the Maha Nayak Theras for the first time after yesterday’s special address, briefed them on the government’s progress and future plans.
After that, President Ranil Wickramasinghe handed over the Kandy Metropolitan Development Plan to Malwathu Mahanayake.
Responding to the request made by Mahanayaka Theras to pay attention to the problems of the protestors, the President assured that a system of increasing the salary of government employees would be started from next year so that salary problems do not arise.
The President pointed out that the Cabinet is still focused on increasing the salaries of government employees and a committee has been appointed for the same.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe who further commented here,
“I had come to Malwattu Viharai when I took charge of the administration. As per the instructions given by you at that time, we have streamlined the governance of the country and today we have recovered from the state of corruption. I am here today to tell you that information. We have also reached two agreements regarding external debt restructuring.
Teachers can be given a salary hike from next year. We have informed them about it. Similarly, the increase in salary of other government employees also needs to be considered. 3000 – 17000 salary increase in 2022. Similarly, this year also a salary increase of 10,000 rupees has been made. According to this, the salary of the teachers has been increased from 13000-27000. So other government employees should also be consulted.
Tamil and Muslim schools are still functioning at this time. Only Sinhala school teachers have engaged in such union activities. However, Cabinet approval has been received regarding the salary issue. Accordingly, it is expected to implement a proper system for increasing the salary of government employees from 2025 and a committee has been appointed to look into it.
Steps will be taken to move the administrative town of the Kandy Development Project to Gundasala. We are in talks to establish the Indian IIT University in Kandy as well. New buildings will be constructed for Peradeniya University. Among these, we are also providing relief to the people through Ashwesuma and Urumaya schemes.” The President also said.
After that, President Ranil Wickramasinghe, who met Mahanayaka Varakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera at Askriya Peetha and received his blessings, consulted with him for a while.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe who further commented here,
“The country cannot be rebuilt by operating along traditional political lines. If there had been political separation, the country’s economy could not have been restored in two years. People from all parties in Parliament supported us to bring the country to where it is today.
And the opposition also has members from many parties. We as a country could have achieved better results if the entire Parliament had worked together with the government.
I call upon all members of Parliament to join the government’s program of building the nation’s economy. Today world politics is changing. Major parties in countries like England, USA and France are divided. Therefore, it is not surprising that Sri Lanka’s main parties are divided.
We have reached an agreement to restructure foreign debt. The government has focused on increasing the salaries of teachers and other government employees.
Even if there are more than four government officials in a village, their contribution to the economy is not significant. Despite the company’s existence of coconuts, Sri Lanka’s coconut production is on the decline. But coconut production is increasing in Kerala.
They are rapidly moving towards an export economy. Even though our Mahawali Zone offices and Irrigation Department are functioning, Mahawali Zone is getting only three metric tons of yield per hectare.
Countries like India and China have achieved huge economic benefits through plantation industry in 50 years. Tea, coconut and rubber economies were seen during the White period. Since then the country’s economy would have declined even further had it not been for the garment manufacturing sector that was created with an open economy in the 1977s.
Kadalathenia, Lankatilaka and Ambakke viharas will be combined to form a tourist zone. Steps are being taken to establish infrastructure facilities for the same. We are looking forward to creating a Buddhist civilization station and attracting a large number of tourists to this Kandy region.
Tourists visiting the historic Dalatha Palace, Uduwatta Kele Wildlife Park and Victoria Dam will also spend a few days in Kandy.
Under the Kandy City Development Plan, steps are being taken to develop the Bogambara Jail area into a hotel complex. Also, there are plans to shift the administrative functions of the city to Kundasalai. By setting up a technology zone in Thigana region, technological development can be brought about in this region.
Discussions are currently under way to complete the Colombo to Mirigama section of the Kandy – Colombo Expressway with the help of China and the Kurunegala to Kandy section with the help of Japan.
Also, your support is needed to make the program to bring modern agriculture to the village a success.” The President demanded.
Venerable Murundeniya Thammaradhana Thera, Anunayaka Thera of Askriya Peetha, Viharadhipati of the historic Muthianganai Rajamaha Viharai:
“The history of the last two years is memorable. Before assuming office as the President, you visited the Maha Sangha and received blessings. The country was in a very difficult place then. You have taken the right decisions and brought the country to where it is today when the people tried to besiege the Parliament and surround it.
Sri Lanka cannot stand alone as a country. Work with the international community. You have a good understanding of that. So you were able to manage the country’s economic situation by negotiating with the International Monetary Fund. Your special speech gave me hope for the future. Congratulations to you for that. This is not the time to test leaders.
The protests are being carried out without understanding the economic and financial situation of the country, targeting the upcoming elections. The role of teachers in this affects the prestige of the teaching profession. Teachers themselves set the wrong example for children.” He said.
After that, President Ranil Wickramasinghe went to Kandi Katukala Selva Vinayagar Temple and offered prayers and worship services were conducted by S. Krishnamurthy Gurus.
After that, the President also visited Meera Makam Mosque in Kandy. Mauliva O.L.M. Dazeem prayed duaab. The President interacted with those present for a while.
Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, Ministers of State Lohan Rathwathe, Dhilum Amunugama, Members of Parliament Wajira Abeywardhana, Mahindananda Aluthkamake, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of the Presidential Task Force Sagala Ratnayake and others were present on the occasion.
