The President was speaking at the 130th C.W.W. Kannangara commemoration program organized at Nelliady Maha Vidyalaya in Kankesanthurai. The President was accorded a very warm welcome by the children of the school.
As the first Minister of Education in the State Council, Kannangara introduced extensive reforms to the education system of Sri Lanka throughout the 1940s. They befitted thousands of underprivileged students in rural parts of the country by making education free for all students. He also began a central schools scheme, which established high quality secondary schools in rural areas of the country. Kannangara's significant achievements in areas of education have led him to being commonly referred to as the 'Father of Free Education in Sri Lanka'.
During the commemoration program President Rajapaksa handed over awards to eminent personalities who had received education from Central Colleges.
The President also vested with the students the new Mahindodaya Technological Laboratory established at the school.
Among those who were present were Northern Governor G.A. Chandrasiri and Ministers Bandula Gunawardena and Douglas Devananda.
President inspected the Laboratory and exchanged views with the students on their educational activities. (KH)
