He made these remarks participating in a ceremony to vest the newly built Sri Jinarathana Vocational and Higher Education Training Institute in Hikkaduwa, Seenigama with the students, yesterday (14th Dec.).

The new Training Institute was vested with the students to mark the birthday of the Chief Incumbent of the Hunupitiya Gangarama Temple in Colombo, Venerable Galaboda Gnanissara Thero.

Expressing his views further the President said that the main problem today was our country lacks qualified persons for the existing jobs and it is not a case of shortage of jobs.  

The President pointed out that even thought large number of job opportunities is available at the State as well as Private sectors, the lack of skilled workers with the necessary technical knowledge, is a huge issue that we face. He further said that we should build skilled workforce who has modern technical knowledge to cope with the new job opportunities emerge with innovative economy.  

President Sirisena appreciated the broad social service rendered by Venerable Galaboda Gnanissara Thero, centering the Hunupitiya Gangarama Temple in Colombo, for the development of vocational training of the children in our country.  He also said that this Vocational Training Institute will provide immense strength to not only to the youths in the area, but also to the economy of the country.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe also participated in this occasion.