Friday Dec 13, 2024
Friday, 15 January 2016 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake says the government’s intention is to root out corruption and frauds and channel money thus saved for the wellbeing of the country.
He claims that the country had been a victim of rampant corruption and fraud over the past few years.
The Minister’s comments came at a function held at the Finance Ministry this week to distribute library books among 31 schools in Colombo North under the “Diviyata Saviyak” program instituted by the Minister for developing the Colombo North electorate.
Expressing his views further, the Minister said: “We have allocated Rs. 298 billion for education for the year 2016. In addition, I hold continuous discussions with the Education Minister and release funds for the development of education sector. Corruption must be eliminated and all money should be apportioned to ensure future wellbeing of the country. It is the money allocated for education that becomes the best investment.
Many students today reap benefits of the Mahapola scholarship introduced by Lalith Athulathmudali. We too have focused on a similar initiative to further assist our student population.
Today we hear more bad news than good ones. This is due to the erosion of values in the entire social fabric. It is our duty and responsibility to protect our future generation from anti social activities, especially from the drug menace. We should guide them along the right path. Towards this end, education can play a vital role.”
Principals and teachers of the relevant schools were in attendance.