“The government alone cannot build the mutual understanding and trust among the people, which has deteriorated due to the three-decade long war,” the President said, adding that the support of everyone as well as the private sector needed in this regard.

He made these observations participating in the DSI Sithuvili Sri Lanka Prize Giving and ‘Sithumina’ Award Ceremony held at the BMICH.

The DSI Sithuvili Sri Lanka art competition and ‘Sithumina’ Award Ceremony was organized for the 25th year.

President Sirisena presented awards and prizes for the winners of the art competition and more than 10,000 students, including students from the North and the East provinces participated in this art competition.

President Sirisena further said that the ‘Sithuvili Sri Lanka’ displays the thoughts of the children in the country, irrespective of their race, religion, economic status or region.

The President thanked the organizers of this art competition for recalling responsibilities through ‘Sithuvili Sri Lanka’ that many entrepreneurs forget.