Speaking at the 75th anniversary celebration and the annual prize giving ceremony of Pushpadana Girls’ College in Kandy, Mr. Sirisena further said that large number of children living in the houses with low facilities in Colombo have lost their opportunity to study at their nearest school due to the competition for the admission to premier schools in Colombo.

The President who arrived in the school was warmly welcomed by the students. He was offered a guard of honor by the Girl Guides and the Air Force Cadets. He presented the prizes to the students who demonstrated excellent skills. Deputy Postmaster General of Central Province Rajitha Ranasinghe presented the commemorative stamp and the first day cover, issued to mark this occasion to the President and the Principal of the school Mrs. E. W. L. K. Egodawela presented a souvenir.

“The government is giving required physical and human resources to all schools in the country to reduce the competition for leading schools and provide the rights to all children to study without any barriers. These adverse conditions of competition for education should be quickly changed”, he also said.

“Similar to the way you pass exams you should win the life by understanding the challenges and barriers and facing the life with self-confidence”, the President told the students.

President Sirisena, recalling today’s newspaper report on the suicide of a ten years old school girl, said that Sri Lanka is a leading country in suicides. He said all responsible persons should pay attention on this to save the society.