President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday observed that a Nation could not be built only with dollars and rupees and the lost freedom could not be reinstated simply through power and political means, bu
t neede
d much advanced foresight, to achive these objectives.Such foresight, as displayed by the Hikkaduwe Sumangala Thera when establishing a Buddhist School like Ananda(1886), instead of sowing anti-imperialism by just shouting slogans in an era repressed by imperialistic ideologies, had stood the nation in good stead in its hour of need, he added.
“In line with its historical beginning Ananda became a shelter for people that were repressed by imperiolistic ideologies and was a role model for many other Schools which followed the same path in the wake of Ananda”
“That School today has breathed life to the Nation than have a trillion slogans,” the President said participating at a felitication ceremony at A
nanda College, Colombo where the historic educational institute paid tribute to its illustrious sons who played a pivotal role in vanquishing the forces of terror.The President also noted that Ananda over the years had produced men of excellence to the National leadership and although they had excelled in different fields and had chosen different ideologies, they had one common quality, that is the unwavering love for their motherland.
“Therefore the war heroes felicitated by Ananda today, have not only made their Alma Mater proud but also has taught a lesson for all School children in the country on how to be a good leader,” he added
