India and Sri Lanka have the longest continuous historical link, and both nations have been culturally and historically very close “up to this day”, Sri Lankan Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne said in Manipal on Saturday.
In his convocation address at Manipal University, he also spoke about enhancing Sri Lanka’s “unbroken lineage” of friendship with India and mentioned references to Sri Lanka in the Ramayana.
He congratulated India on the success of its Mars mission. “India has demonstrated its prowess to the world by successfully launching a rocket to Mars,” he said.
Observing that education could empower our huge human capital to be a major constructive force to drive growth, he said, “It should be our collective effort to make the world a better place to live in, while respecting others.
Each one of us, regardless of our differences and as human beings, can meaningfully contribute to this objective.” Mr Jayaratne’s daughter was among 1,780 students who received their degrees on Saturday. – Deccan Chronicle
