St. Thomas College 150th Anniversary | Matale St. Thomas College

Future generations must not be burdened with the challenging period that the nation has experienced over the past two years
 Advancement is being made in all domains of the nation through modernization
- Says President Wickremesinghe addressing the St. Thomas College, Matale 150th Anniversary
President Ranil Wickremesinghe underscored the imperative to fortify the nation's economy, ensuring that forthcoming generations are spared from enduring the unfortunate period that both the country and its people have weathered in the past two years. These remarks were made during his participation in the 150th Anniversary celebration of St. Thomas College in Matale today (13).
Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighted that resolving the country's economic challenges goes beyond the success of the debt optimization program. He emphasized the need to promptly initiate an economy-building strategy guided by sound decisions. He cautioned that failure to proactively adopt a new program would inevitably result in the country facing another economic hurdle within a decade.
The President expressed his vision of propelling the country forward through comprehensive modernization. To achieve this, he announced the establishment of the Technology Promotion Council and the Digital Transformation Commission, aimed at accelerating the nation's digital evolution.
In an unprecedented event, President Wickremesinghe visited St. Thomas College in Matale, unveiling a commemorative plaque that marked the institution's 150th Anniversary. He also graciously posed for a group photograph with the Alumni Association.
During the same occasion, the President also conferred certificates upon students who secured the top position in the district during the general education certificate examination.
Following is the speech delivered by President Ranil Wickremesinghe at this event;
It has been a century and a half since the inception of St. Thomas College in Matale. During its establishment, the country relied on a plantation-based economy with a significant focus on coffee cultivation. However, within a few years, the coffee industry collapsed, causing a severe economic downturn and depriving the government of its revenue stream. The economy struggled until the introduction of tea and rubber cultivation, which revitalized the nation's financial standing.
As the 150th Anniversary of St. Thomas College in Matale is commemorated today, the country finds itself grappling with an ongoing economic crisis. The previous year's economic turmoil left deep impacts on the nation's economic, social, and political landscapes. During that period, the prospect of recovery seemed bleak. A poignant example of this was the lack of volunteers to assume the role of Prime Minister after Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa's resignation. Typically, such vacancies are eagerly pursued, but in this case, no one stepped forward.
Taking up the mantle of the presidency, I assumed responsibility, formed a cabinet, and embarked on finding both short-term and long-term solutions to address the economic crisis. Through decisive actions, we managed to eliminate the prevalent queues that had become emblematic of the nation's struggles. The outcomes of our government's decisions in September, January, and April of the previous year have been embraced positively by the populace.
The event was attended by a multitude of individuals, including Education Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha, Prime Minister's Secretary Mr. Anura Dissanayake, Central Province Governor Mr. Lalith Y. Gamage, Ministry of Education Secretary Mr. Nihal Ranasinghe, former judge and Chairman of the Human Rights Commission Mr. M.P.B. Dehideniya, Professor Chaminda Ratnayake, Vice Chancellor of NSBM Green University, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Staff of the Tri forces, Mr. Kaushalya Navaratne, President of the Sri Lanka Bar Association Mr. Dhammika Hewawasam, Principal of St. Thomas College in Matale, and a substantial gathering of faculty members, parents, and alumni.
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