24th January 2019 20:30:40 Hours
Anuliyans at Nugegoda Anula Vidyalaya on Friday (25) gave a red carpet welcome to the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake when he arrived at the school premises for award of badges to the school prefects on ‘Prefects’ Day’ at the invitation of its Principal and teachers.
Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Senanayake on arrival was greeted to a salute, presented by school cadets and the Oriental Band in the school and before he was ushered to the main auditorium in the company of the Principal, teachers and students.
The day’s proceedings got to a start with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the day’s Chief Guest and other distinguished guests, Principal, Head Prefect and teachers.
The National Anthem and the school song afterwards added dignity and pride to the day’s proceedings before the Commander of the Army was invited on the stage. Likewise, prefects and students took an oath for performance of their assignment before the Principal and the day’s Chief Guest.
The prefects were then awarded Prefect Badges by the Commander of the Army in the company of the Principal. Towards the end of the presentation of Prefect Badges, the Commander of the Army made a brief address to the occasion, in which he underlined the importance of becoming a leader in society through discipline and commitment. He also highlighted the value of dedication to whatever you do either in the school or elsewhere with honesty and interest.
He also distributed certificates to a group of Anuliyans for their achievements in the school and extra curricular projects.
The Principal, Mrs K.A Jayani Prishangika presented a memento to the day’s Chief Guest in appreciation of his participation in the event. The Commander reciprocated the gesture presenting a memento to the school as well.
Before the Commander’s exit, he left his compliments in the visitors’ book.
Here follows the full speech of the Commander to the occasion;
Good Morning!
First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Principal and the Organizing Committee of Prefects’ Day of Anula Vidyalaya for inviting me to grace this event as the Chief Guest.
Also, I congratulate newly appointed prefects of Anula Vidyalaya and I wish every success in all your future endeavours!
Sri Lanka has gained recognition throughout the world, mainly for three significant features:
Firstly, for the growth and export of fine Ceylon tea.
Secondly, for electing the world’s first woman Prime Minister, Ms. Sirimavo Bandaranaike.
Thirdly, for the protracted civil conflict of nearly 30 years which ended up in 2009.
Since you are representing the young leaders of Anula Vidyalaya, I would like to emphasis the second feature of above three.
Sri Lanka attracted a great deal of attention in 1960 with the election of the world’s first woman prime minister.
And later, in 1995, the election of the first woman executive president in Sri Lanka was an exceptional and unique turning point of the power shift.
These two incidents were widely interpreted in Sri Lanka and outside, as an indicator of the role and position of women in Sri Lankan society, a position of equality and independence.
It is clear that these two women reached the highest positions in government due to their leadership skills, commitment and dedication towards the work.
It should be noted that these female leaders played the role of a leader holding key appointments in the Sri Lankan government, while possessing the roles as wife, mother and young widow.
I am sure that these two personalities will inspire you to develop your personality as successful women in future.
It is a well-known fact that Anula Vidyalaya has become a leading girls’ school among national schools in Sri Lanka.
You must be proud to be a prefect in this top-ranking girls’ school, since you have been selected out of thousands of students.
Further, it is a rare opportunity to become a prefect and the involvement of prefects in the school activities will be a key element of success and excellence of the school.
So, as prefects of Anula Vidyalaya you are expected to demonstrate the core values of the school in your daily lives as well as inculcating them in others.
The role of prefect provides the opportunity for students to be educated and equipped in their roles as leaders and provides a mechanism by which they can effectively and efficiently carry out their responsibilities for the benefit of all.
The role of prefect also brings out the pupils’ leadership qualities for higher responsibilities in the future.
The current opportunity which prefects have to serve is a stepping stone for them to become superior leaders in future.
Sri Lankan women flourish in many professions such as medicine, engineering, teaching, legal sector, apparel industry, agricultural activities, etc and they have represented in planning and decision/ policy making levels both in private and public sectors.
In my opinion there is a direct link between leadership and being a prefect.
You have been chosen as a prefect based on certain skills and qualities that you already have or for the potential that has been recognised in you.
Many of these skills and qualities are common with leadership, such as: courage, confidence, decisiveness and the ability to communicate effectively.
The position of prefect is a position of responsibility and one which provides an important connection between pupils and staff.
The Board of Prefects plays an important role throughout the entire school community: it is responsible for helping to set the atmosphere amongst the pupils and for maintaining and enhancing the ethos of the school.
As prefects, be kind like sisters to fellow students.
So, you need to understand their psychologies because there can be scattered cases who feel lost, aimless or rejected, you need to identify them because they need special attention.
If you can’t assist, you may direct them to a counsellor or respective authorities at school.
This you must do in the interest of the society where we all live and share.
It is your responsibility to correct them, guide them and more importantly help them when they need help.
In doing so, your approach should be friendly and humane.
The life at school must be a very pleasant experience to every child.
It is their right to enjoy life at school.
At present, youth has to face many challenges such as drug addiction, social media related crimes.
In military we call it as non-traditional threats.
As young leaders, you have a greater responsibility to impart knowledge and establish a sound values base in relation to health and drug use and using social media in an effectively manner in order to protect youth around you, as you have the power and authority as prefects than other students.
Always remember you are your own strength and your own inspiration, keep going and don’t ever give up.
Keep going until you become the best.
And if you don’t, you can still feel strong about having given your best, always.
It never ends.
Keep on striving.
Keep trying to be better.
None of us are perfect, but we still pursue perfection.
That’s how the world gets changed for better.
Before I conclude my speech, I would like to give you a piece of advice which I believe would help you to shape up your future successfully:
“The difference between a successful person and others is not lack of strength, not lack of knowledge, but rather lack of will”.
Therefore, keep in mind that it is your will that takes you and prevents you from what you eventually hope to reach.
That’s why it’s said “if there’s a will there’s a way”.
Congratulation to everyone!
May the blessings of the Triple Gem always be with you!
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