Ranil awarded honorary doctorate from Deakin University, Australia

Geelong: Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was awarded an honorary doctorate from Australia’s Deakin University at its autumn graduation held in Geelong, Australia.

Wickremesinghe was recognised for significant contributions in reforms in economy, education and human rights in Sri Lanka.

Introducing the Prime Minister Vice Chancellor and President of Deakin University Professor Jane den Hollander said Wickremesinghe’s significant achievements include restoring full-time electricity, rejuvenating the ailing economy, breaking down the many ethnic barriers in the country, negotiating for peace talks and galvanising the goodwill and the financial support of the international community for Sri Lanka.

Addressing the ceremony after receiving the honorary award, the Prime Minister told the graduates “’post-graduation is the longest marathon over unchartered territory, so do not exhaust yourself during the starting decade”.

“You are leaving the Deakin University to enter the University of Life. Start as a follower, always be humble and learn from others, especially their mistakes,” he advised the graduates.

Recalling his experience the Prime Minister said achievements of life will be quite different from our expectations at the outset.

The Premier said he wanted to be an advocate of the Supreme Court practicing at the Bar, with a lucrative practice. “Instead of which I ended up being the Prime Minister,” he quipped.

Concluding his address the Premier quoting a verse from Dhammapada, told the graduates: “All that we experience begins with our thoughts. Our words and deeds spring from our thoughts. Therefore discipline your thought process, train your mind to be detached, the way forward will then be clearer.”