Local News from Sri Lanka: As Sri Lankans we inherit an oriental religion, President Maithripala Sirisena says, and as a result, we are a proud country with a peaceful culture.
President Sirisena further said that culture has added to the world civilization a cluster of languages, arts, literary, architectural and artistic creations, and as Sri Lankans, it is our duty to protect those languages.
He made these comments addressing today’s convening of Sri Lanka Prachina Bashopakara Samagama to confer the degree of Prachina Panditha, held at the Nelum Pokuna Theater (29).
Addressing the graduation ceremony, the president said that since the Sinhalese are the only people who have been using the same ethnic language for more than 2,000 years, the task of preserving it for another long term will be entrusted to the future generation.
The President valued Sri Lanka Prachina Bashopakara Samagama’s service and promised full assistance to further develop it.
Over 300 people who passed the Prachina Panditha postgraduate exam undertaken by the Department of Education between 2012 and 2017 were awarded their degrees during the convocation.
The President presented the honorary degree’ Sammana Panditha’ at the convocation to Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dhamma Chapter’s Anunayake Thera, Prof. Ven. Thera’s Kotapitiye Rahula. At the convocation, President Maithripala Sirisena received the honorary degree of’ Vibudha Jana Prasadaka.’
The President presented the ‘’Swarna Mudrikawa’ award to Ven. Manaapitiye Thera’s Vajirabuddhi. On this occasion, the Maha Sangha, Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and others took part.
