Minister of Power and Renewable Energy, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya stated that all roofs of state institutions would be installed with solar panels before long, as part of the solar-power revolution.

He accordingly pointed out that he had already received cabinet approval to receive a budgetary allocation to convert all state institutions into solar-power generating sites.

He stated this upon attending the foundation-laying ceremony of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory of the St. Jospeh’s Balika Vidyalaya of Kegalle yesterday (09).

Addressing the gathering, the Minister said that the solar power revolution was currently ongoing, and added that his aim was to convert 1 million household roofs into solar-paneled solar-power generating sites, for which he was using various ways and means to motivate the relevant stakeholders.

All temples were provided with solar panels free-of-charge, he proceeded to say.

Speaking on education, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya then stated that Sri Lankan education was at a significantly high level in comparison with other Asian countries.

He also remarked that there was a large gap between the demand and the number of erudite citizens, which he said should in fact be the case, as the end of all education ventures need not necessarily be employment. He pointed out that artistes and visionaries were also important for the progress of the country and the world.

He also added that the best and most practical thing the country can do in the prevalent status quo was to guide students towards the field of technology. 

The Minister proceeded to state that it would not be an easy task, and that its success would therefore require a change in state policy and unity among all stakeholders.