Develop motherland instead of going abroad: Gota tells Jaffna students

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa urged students in Jaffna to achieve educational targets and serve the motherland instead of trying to develop other countries by going abroad.

“When different languages, religions and cultures are united, a country can move on the path of

Country can move forward when languages, religions and cultures are united

development easily. We should always look to develop our own country,” he said at a ceremony organised by the Headquarters 52 Division at Varani to distribute school uniforms to 1,500 students, dress materials to 100 teachers and 24 principals of 24 schools in Mirisuvil-based 522 Brigade area on Monday.

He said as a nation, we lived divided for years and now we are moving together towards development. He requested the students to achieve their educational targets and serve the motherland.

This donation to Jaffna students was made by Morris Saunders Jayatilake - a businessman living in Canada and his friends Ajith Senanayake, Robert Anurashantha and Anura Dharmaratne on a request made by the Army.

The event was organised under the patronage of Jaffna Security Forces Commander Mahinda Hathurusinghe and General Officer Commanding 52 Division Brigadier Anura Sudhasinghe.

The students of Varani Maha Vidyalaya, Mirisuvil Government Tamil Mixed schools and Navatkuly Maha Vidyalaya presented cultural dances during the function. Students were also awarded special gifts by the 52 Division.

The Defence Secretary emphasized the need to develop our motherland instead of striving to develop some other country while serving abroad.

As a nation, we lived divided for years and now we are moving together towards development. Achieve educational targets and serve the motherland while living in unity and harmony