The Phase 3 of the 'Leadership Training Programme-2013' for some 23,000 plus university entrants, facilitated by tri services, through their respective island-wide training schools or centres, formally inaugurated on Sunday (24) at Minnneriya School of Artillery of the Army after a multi-cultural ceremony, graced by HE, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Chief Guest.
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army warmly received the Chief Guest and other distinguished invitees, including Minister of Higher Education, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Secretary to Ministry of Higher Education, Chairperson, University Grants Commission, Service Commanders, State Officials, et al before the traditional oil lamp was lit after university entrants, representing three major ethnic origins, presented a welcome dance.
Two university entrants as Masters of the Ceremony later on delivered bilingual welcome speeches before the Commander of the Army delivered the formal welcome speech on behalf of all three facilitating service wings who serve as resource-providers to the training programme.
The 21-day training, focused on discipline, leadership, personal management, endurance, collective responsibility, self after the country, national commitments, moral uplift, capacity-building, resource-management, communication, so on and so forth, will take place at 16 Army Training Schools/centres, 3 Navy Training Schools and 1 Air Force Training School under three phases, beginning Monday (25).
At the first stage, 7000 university entrants will receive this 21 day-long residential training and as many as some 8000 entrants will undergo the same training under second and third stages of the project before these students begin their studies proper in respective universities afterwards.
Brief speeches, delivered by Hon Minister of Higher Education S. B Dissanayake, Secretary to Ministry of Higher education, UGC Chairperson and a few others highlighted the importance of this type of training if all were to succeed in life. Appreciative speeches made by two entrants and colourful entertaining features added more significance to the occasion.
Screening of a documentary film on previous programmes and the recital of the national anthem brought the inaugural ceremony to an end.
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