Establishing a reading culture among the new generation is an extremely essential matter - Prime Minister

Even in the current era dominated by digital technology, social media, and instant information technology, building a culture of reading among the new generation is an extremely essential matter, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated. Investing in the fields of education, creativity, culture, and arts is not separate from national development, but rather its essential foundation, she further pointed out.

The Prime Minister expressed these views addressing the 'Colombo Literary Festival' which commenced in Colombo on July 24th. A large number of local and foreign writers, poets, critics, scholars, filmmakers, artists, and literature enthusiasts have gathered for this literary festival, held for six days from July 24th to 29th.

Recalling past events on this occasion, the Prime Minister stated that July is a time that reminds the country of painful historical experiences of years of destruction and book burnings. She pointed out that the burning of the Jaffna Public Library in 1981 is an unforgettable incident, and emphasized that when official narratives attempt to erase or disregard past memories, literature and books remain as living testimonies of the past and as sources that preserve the stories of people who rose after destruction.

The necessity of including important chapters of history in the education system to provide future generations with a correct understanding of the experiences that shaped the country was also pointed out here. The Prime Minister stated that it is essential to create a culture that appreciates the role played by books, writers, and publishers in preserving knowledge, memory, and history, and also mentioned that a society that values knowledge, creativity, and free expression has a greater ability to face challenges, innovate, and strengthen democracy.

For this inaugural ceremony, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne, Indian writer, politician, and former UN Under-Secretary-General Mr. Shashi Tharoor, ambassadorial representatives, local and foreign writers, publishers, poets, critics, and scholars, among others, participated.