Leadership training will rid student of negative mentality - Minister S B Dissanayake

Nethali Struys

'In order to be a good leader, a genius, or a scientist a person should have good mental health as well as physical health, said Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake. He stated this on his visit to Horana, Kalutara, Galle, Boossa and Elpitiya army camps to check on the well-being of the university students who were going through leadership training.

He pointed out that these children who get selected to universities achieve that position after three years of battle. It is the Advanced Level examination battle. He further pointed out that at the end of the victory of examination they end up losing good habits such as socializing, leading healthy lifestyles and being organized.

He further said that although they have won the battle and got the opportunity of entering the university they also have another set of problems including economic problems, family problems and social problems. "We took care of the mental and physical health of people like Susanthika and Damayanthi Darsha so that they could compete with the whole world. That gave them strength to bring glory to the country." he said.

"Therefore this effort is to strengthen the physical and mental capabilities so that all university students will be able to achieve their goals to strongly face up to challenges. "The other reason is that 90 percent of students who enter universities are mentally fallen. Either because they are unable to enter the university they wish to or because not being able to get the courses of their choice," he said.

"This is the result of a fallen mentality and this should be changed. The present efforts are to get the students out of this kind of mentality and equip them with good habits and lifestyles, the Minister said.

'Ragging has been completely stopped and these children will not have to face such situation when they enter the university and in the next year we can jointly organize the welcoming ceremony of our newcomers," he told the students.