(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – President Ranil Wickramasinghe said country’s human resources must be mobilized to free Sri Lanka from the current economic challenges and lead to a competitive economy and the educated and intelligent human resources must decide whether to leave the country or not in the face of challenges.
The President stated that observing the global situation shows that many changes may occur in the world in the next five years and pointed out that even developed countries may face economic challenges in the future.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe expressed these views while participating in the Sir General John Kotelawala Defense University’s annual graduation ceremony held Wednesday (04) at the BMICH in, Colombo.
At the 2023 General Convocation 246 people graduated from the Sir General John Kotelawala Defense University.
Speaking further, President Wickremesinghe said:
“The people who get these degrees today should decide for themselves whether they will contribute to the development of this country or not. If necessary, you have the ability to travel abroad with this degree. But in order to free Sri Lanka from this economic situation, the country must be led towards a competitive economy. Also, the country’s human resources should be aligned for that.
There are more than 450 vocational training centers in Sri Lanka. Those training centers should be turned into universities and colleges. It can create citizens with professional skills in the country. It is possible to open Sri Lanka to the world with a citizen who has professional skills.
Also, the future generation should be built as a group equipped with modern technology knowledge including artificial intelligence.
Sri Lanka’s economy is currently recovering. We believe that we will be able to create a good economic situation in the country by next year. Also, anything can happen in the world in the next 5 years. Observing the global situation, it appears today that economic crises may be created in some developed countries. And the economy of Sri Lanka can be even stronger. So I believe that you graduates will take the right decision.”
Minister of State for Defense Pramitha Bandara Thennakoon, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defense Retired General Kamal Gunaratne, Chief of Staff of the Tri forces General Shavendra Silva, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Vikum Liyanage, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapakse, General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University Chancellor retired General S.H.S. Kottegoda, Vice Chancellor Rear Admiral Dhammika Kumara and a group of invited guests including the deans attended the event.
