Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa marking the 2021 Science Day has expressed disappointment in the country’s Opposition for opposing the government’s every measure and function.
The President said he did not expect the Opposition to oppose everything but to support what’s right for the future of the country and it is unfortunate that the Opposition is using new normalization only for protests and demonstrations.
“The country has been opened up and all activities have commenced under the new normalization. But there is a risk of the COVID-19 spreading again due to various activities including protests and demonstrations. This situation could lead to the country being shut down again. President Rajapaksa said that the Opposition should realize the serious damage this could do to the people and the economy,” the President said.
The President made this observation addressing a function held at Temple Trees yesterday morning (10) to mark the National Science Day and Science Week in Sri Lanka to coincide with World Science Day, President’s Media Division said.
The President noted that two years have passed in his tenure and during that time the government had to play a huge role to protect the people from the COVID pandemic. “The Opposition which has ruled the country should understand this situation. The people elected me as President due to the weaknesses and failures during their rule. But today it is unfortunate that the opposition is behaving like a group that didn’t have any power before. Taking steps to change this system is a present need for the future of the country.”
President Rajapaksa observed that Science and Technology affect every field in the world today. Without new technological know-how, future generations will not be able to face the challenges of the modern world. Recognizing this, the President emphasized the urgent need for educational reforms to build a future generation equipped with new technology.
In 2001, UNESCO declared November 10 of each year as World Science Day for Peace and Development. Sri Lanka has celebrated this day every year since 2004. A Science Week has been declared to coincide with the celebration of Science Day this year. This year’s Science Day celebration was organized under the theme. “National Innovation Mission -The present that gives life to dreams”.
The technology and innovation in the country have experienced a revival due to the government’s implementation of the program aimed at a technology-based society in accordance with the “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” policy statement. As a result, Sri Lanka which was ranked 101st in the Global Innovation Index 2020 was ranked 95th out of 132 countries in 2021.
Minister Namal Rajapaksa presented the “Dasis Awards” to the winners of the Innovation Competition which was annually organized by the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission.
The audience was also briefed on the features of the “Oxygen Concentrator” machine manufactured by the National Engineering Research & Development Centre of Sri Lanka.
The State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research & Innovation has made plans to set up innovative laboratories in 1,500 schools island-wide. Symbolizing this initiative, the President presented cheques and school equipment to nine schools selected at the provincial level.
Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research & Innovation State Minister Seetha Arambepola stated that as a nation advancing with a scientific basis, science should be made the right of every citizen or else the myth will reign.
In his speech, Minister Namal Rajapaksa pointed out the potential to strengthen the country’s economy by encouraging inventors and to make the public service more efficient by using new technology. The minister also spoke about future programs to make public services more efficient such as e-Grama Seva scheme and the digital identity card.
Minister of State Vijitha Berugoda, Ambassadors and Foreign Representatives, Secretaries to the Ministries and other Officials were also present.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
