Quality education can help solve world's problems: Sri Lanka PM

Manipal, Nov 8: Education is the key ingredient in character building and socio-economic transformation, which can empower the huge human capital to be a major constructive force to drive the economy, said Sri Lankan prime minister D M Jayaratne.

He was delivering the 19th convocation address of the Manipal University here.

The Lankan prime minister said that in the 21st century, high quality higher education has the potential to find reasonable solutions for the common problems that the world is facing today.

Reiterating that Sri Lanka was a good friend of India, the prime minister congratulated India over its successful Mars mission.

“Historically and culturally, our two nations have been very close, up to this day. One of its first references is found in the Indian epic Ramayana. Sinhalese history traditionally starts in 543 BC, with the landing of King Vijaya from India in 250 BC. Bhikku Mahinda, the son of Mauryan emperor Ashoka, arrived in Sri Lanka, carrying the message of Buddhism from India,” Jayaratne said.

The prime minister had a piece of advice for the students. He said, “Now, you are all empowered with knowledge through your respective capabilities that you have acquired here and elsewhere to become a worthy citizen of the world.”

He said, “It should be our collective effort to make the world a better place to live, while respecting others. Each one of us, regardless of our differences and as human beings, can meaningfully contribute to this objective.

“If your work is not guided by morality and ethics, your success, even if achieved, will not be authentic. Do not accept corruption as a way of life. Stick to your principles and have faith in the strength of will power and determination,” he said.

“Manipal university is special to me because one of my daughters graduated from this university,” the Sri Lankan prime minister said. His daughter, Dr Jayaratne Nushani Lanka, completed MBBS degree from KMC, Manipal and she too received the degree on Saturday during the convocation.

As many as 1,780 undergraduate and post graduate students received their degrees on Saturday. Almost a similar number will receive it on Sunday. Fifteen gold medallists and 33 PhD scholars were also awarded.