Students should take maximum of free university education

A D V de S Indraratna Foundation Trust Fund inaugural scholarship awards :

The university students should detest unlawful activities such as strikes and concentrate on their studies and get out of universities as economically productive and socially responsible, good citizens of the country Prof. A D V de S Indraratna said.

Prof. Indraratne was speaking at the inaugural A D V de S Indraratna Foundation Trust Fund scholarship presentation ceremony.

A D V de S Indraratna Foundation Trust held its inaugural scholarships presentation on August 12 at the Organization of Professional Associations auditorium. Dr A T Ariyaratne was the chief guest. Dr Jagath Balasuriya, Labour Relations and Productivity Improvement Deputy Minister who is also a member of the Trust was the guest of honour. At this ceremony three undergraduates from the Colombo University and two from the Peradeniya University specializing in Economics in their second year were awarded scholarships of Rs 30,000 each. It was also announced that a gold medal will be awarded to the student with the highest marks at the Economics Special Final Examination of the Sabaragamuwa University at its convocation in November.

Professor Indraratna stressed the importance of establishing a scholarship scheme for deserving university students especially those who specialize in Economics. The Professor said it is a very happy day for him as he has been able to achieve a long cherished wish in his professional career. He lamented that in spite of the massive expenditure incurred by the Government on free university education, a feature unique to Sri Lanka some students are not making the optimum use of the facilities at university but instead resort to unlawful activities such as strikes, boycott of lectures and taking hostage of staff and disrupt academic activities on unjustifiable grounds, and the majority of students suffer as a result.

He also added that almost all Lankans who have benefitted from free university education and are enjoying comfortable lives should consider as our social responsibility to help those who are not so fortunate as we.

Dr A T Ariyaratne recollecting his long-standing relationship with Prof Indraratna appreciated his noble feat and appraised the valuable nature of such deeds. He also brought to the notice the valuable services Prof Indraratna had rendered as a University teacher and his contribution to national development by his research and numerous writings and publications for more than five decades.

Dr Jagath Balasuriya said both as former student of Prof Indraratna and a trustee of the Foundation commended the work carried out by Prof Indraratna especially the introduction of teaching Economics in Sinhala medium at a time when orthodoxy was entirely against the idea of introducing Sinhala medium to teach subjects such as Economics. Prof Indraratna not only published the first Economic Theory book in Sinhala but went onto write the first book in Applied Economics as well for Sinhala medium students.