Mother Sri Lanka program needs:

Sri Lanka diaspora, locals and children

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The professional expertise of the Sri Lankan diaspora in over 400 associations around the world will be sought by the `Mother Sri Lanka' program for the country's future economic development activities.

Accordingly, the Presidential Secretariat launched `Mother Sri Lanka' program has spread a massive global network and called upon over 1.2 million Sri Lankan expatriates to be a part of the country's development programs.

Addressing a media briefing in Colombo, Director, Strategy and Perceptions Management Unit office of the Presidential Secretariat Janaki Kuruppu highlighted the importance of granting whatever assistance by all Sri Lankans living here and abroad towards the country's development activities at this crucial moment when the country is completely freed from terrorism.

She also made a special request to all Sri Lankan professionals overseas to contribute their time and expertise voluntarily, considering this as a national need.

The Director said the objective of initiating the `Mother Sri Lanka' program which is a brainchild of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was to create the awareness of younger generation, especially 4.2 million school children in the country about their contributions towards the country's future development activities.

"In addition to public schools, the program will also cover all private and international schools in the country," she said.

She said the program was initially launched at several schools in the Southern Province by conducting various events such as debates, dialogues and essay competitions under the theme `What can the children of Sri Lanka give back to our country Apen Ratata, Rata Negumata?' It was thereafter launched in the schools of Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, Wayamba, Central, North-Central and Uva provinces.

The Director said the divisional and zonal level competitions will be held during the months of September, October and November.

She further said such a program which is conducted in the country for the first time will immensely help to bridge the gap between various communities irrespective of their caste, creed and religion. "So that their participation towards the country's on-going development activities will help to stand Sri Lankans as a proud nation among others in the world," she added.