President urges use of Anagarika Dharmapala’s philosophy to build future

It is the responsibility of the entire nation to use the philosophy of the great Anagarika Dharmapala to build the future of this country, said President Maithripala Sirisena.

The President further said that there are many lessons we can learn from the Anagarika Dharmapala’s philosophy which endeavoured to build a good society while strengthening national movement, Buddhist revival and campaign against consumption of alcohol.

President Maithripala Sirisena made these observations participating in the inauguration ceremony of the Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala Week to commemorate the 151st birth anniversary of Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala, at the Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya on Monday (14).

Under the directive of President Sirisena, the Government has taken steps to hold a series of ceremonies island-wide under the theme of ‘Let us create a generation which is dedicated to protect the country, language, ethnicity and the Buddhasasana’. A number of programs will be held countrywide to spread the philosophy of the great Anagarika Dharmapala among the people. 

The President said it is very important to use Anagarika Dharmapala’s philosophy and guidance, as it is relevant for today as well as in the future.

The President pointed out that no leader like Anagarika Dharmapala who led the campaign against liquor, was born for the last centuries. “The current Government also is dedicated to build this country as a drug free good country by performing an enormous task to eradicate drugs and alcohol, following the concept of Anagarika Dharmapala,” he said.

President Sirisena who arrived in Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya Monday morning was ceremoniously welcomed by the students of the college. He garlanded the Dharmapala statue and unveiled the plaque built in the premises of the college which has been created including a quote of Anagarika Dharmapala.

The memorial stamp issued to mark the 151st birthday of Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala was also presented to the President at this occasion.

The President presented copies of the book ‘Denagatha Yuthu Karunu’ (Things We Should Know) which has been written including the newspaper reports by Anagarika Dharmapala, to five school principles, symbolising its delivery to all schools in the island.

The keynote address of the ceremony was made by Sri Jayawardenapura University Senior Lecturer Ven. Dambara Amila Thero. Ministers Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and Mohamed Hashim Abdul Haleem, Chief Minister of Western Province Isura Dewapriya, Secretary to the Ministry of Education W.M. Bandusena, Principal of the Dharmapala College K.G. Vimalasena, the teaching staff, parents and old pupils of the college also participated at this occasion.