President says he is for opening more schools and closing prisons

“We should build a country, which opens schools and closes prisons. We should also build a country where people are healthy, and the number of hospitals minimized,” the President said addressing a ceremony held yesterday to celebrate the 150th anniversary of St. Mary’s College in Kegalle.

Recalling the statement of Martin Luther King, “the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people” and said that intellectuals and great persons should be born more and more in this country to suppress the strident clamor of the bad people.

The President commended the mission carried out by the St Mary’s College which has a renowned history, to produce effective citizens to the country. He said the college which has good influence of the Thripitaka, Bible and the Koran is exemplary for the national reconciliation process.

The President, on arrival at the college, was warmly welcomed by the students. He declared open the educational and trade exhibition, held to mark the 150th anniversary.

The President also presented the prizes to the students who demonstrated special skills at national and international levels.

St. Mary’s College is one of the oldest boys’ colleges in Sri Lanka, having a history of nearly 150 years. It was established in 1867 adjacent to St. Mary’s Church as a vernacular English school and came under the direction of Benedictine Missionaries.

Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province Marshal Perera, Chief Minister Mahipala Herath and the Principal of the College Mrs. Hema Wickremarathne also participated in the ceremony.