President Maithripala Sirisena says the emigration of professionals and intellectuals in various fields, especially in medical, engineering and technological fields, is a major problem for the development of the country.
The President said while the government is not ready to impose rules and regulations on the freedom to emigrate, the professionals and intellectuals as citizens of the country who were nurtured by the free education should commit themselves to according to their conscience to fulfill their responsibilities towards the country.
He made these remarks participating in a ceremony held at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre Thursday (07), to present teaching appointments to 500 graduates who passed the Western Province Teaching Exam.
The President, expressing his views further said that a country filled with intellectuals move towards the development rapidly. He also said that the assistance of the scholars and intellectuals is essential in achieving the economic prosperity and the development of the country.
President Sirisena drew the attention of the officials regarding the issues prevailing in the teaching service.
He said while the government is spending a huge sum of money on free education and to provide facilities, an immediate program to solve the internal issues in the teaching service is needed. He added that there is a necessity to enter into a broad and efficient program in collaboration with the government, provincial councils and ministry of education and all the institutions in order to solve the problems.
The teachers appointment letters were given Thursday to cover the vacancies within the Western Province for commerce, arts, science, mathematics, ICT, as well as Tamil medium graduates.
The President symbolically handed over 15 letters to new graduate teachers.
