A leader is not someone who enjoys power, but someone who serves their country and their people – Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees of Parliament, Mrs. Hemali Weerasekara.
The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees of Parliament, Mrs. Hemali Weerasekara, stated that a leader is not a person who enjoys power, but that a leader is someone who serves their country and their people. She further emphasized that power is not an ornament, but merely a tool that should be used for the betterment of a larger community, and that every leader should always remember this. The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees made these remarks while addressing the inaugural meeting of the Student Parliament of Kirillawala Central College, held at the Old Parliament Chamber of the Presidential Secretariat on 31.10.2025.
She also stressed the importance of listening to others and acting collectively in a democratic and law-abiding manner.
Further, the Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees explained how student parliaments operate at the international level and pointed out that through the Student Parliament in Sri Lanka, students are given the opportunity to submit proposals not only for the betterment of their own school but also for the benefit of society as a whole.
Subsequently, the inaugural session of the Student Parliament commenced, during which the Speaker of the Student Parliament took the oath, followed by the swearing-in of the Members. Afterwards, each Minister and Deputy Minister presented to the Parliament the proposals including the programs expected to be implemented within the school through their respective ministries.
Addressing the Student Parliament, Director (Legislative Services) and Director Communication (Acting) of the Parliament, Mr. M. Jayalath Perera, pointed out that the Student Parliament serves as a great platform for the personal development and enhancement of the skills of the children. He also made the students aware of the parliamentary legislative process and its functions.
At this event, the participating students were awarded certificates by the Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees and other distinguished guests.
This program, which was part of the series of Student Parliament programs jointly organized by the Presidential Secretariat and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President Mr. Subash Roshan Gamage, Director General of Public Relations of the Presidential Secretariat Mr. Dharmasiri Gamage, Assistant Director of the Presidential Secretariat Major Nadeeka Dangolla, and the Principal of Kirillawala Central College Mr. R. W. M. A. Bandara Weerasinghe, along with members of the academic staff.
