Participating in this year s festival at the Narandeniya Central College grounds in Kamburupitiya today, the President opined it is the literates who can identify the pulse of the people. While guiding politicians, they should also take the lead in arraying the citizens to meet the national needs.

Speaking further, the President said peace and prosperity of a country will ensure a golden era of literary arts. Some contributions could be made to world literature only by identifying the pulse of the country s population.

His responsibility is to grant the rights of Tamil literates, who were subject to terrorism. He noted that his government s aim was to ensure the rights of all civilians, liberating the country from terrorism.

The 2008 National Literary Festival was organised under the guidance of Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

Ministers Dulles Alahapperuma, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and Provincial Minister Hemal Gunasekera were present.

(Courtesy : Lanka News Papers )