He was speaking at the opening of the first Mahindodaya Faculty of Technology to be set up in a school in Sri Lanka. The President opened the model school named after him in Homagama.

President Rajapaksa addressing the gathering noted that plans were afoot to establish such Faculties of Technology at chosen schools in all provinces.

This will be in addition to the Mahindodaya Technical laboratories being set up in schools islandwide.

He said efforts to provide schools with modern amenities were with the aim of providing equal educational opportunities for children in all areas by enhancing facilities in schools.

He said the concept to build schools with developed facilities in all areas will help get rid of the popular schools notion.

"However, we are not only looking at education and skills. We are also looking at developing a child with high morale values, one who can be an erudite and productive citizen for this country," he added.

Along with the Faculty of Technology, the President also opened the new swimming pool, a three storey building and the new Wahalkada (gateway) to the school of the Mahinda Rajapaksa College, Homagama established as a model school on January 20, 2011. The first School Faculty of Technology to be set up in Sri Lanka includes state-of-the-art facilities to provide students with technical and vocational training to suit job markets.

The three storey building which houses the faculty includes classrooms for various technological studies, a bio technology unit and an engineering technology unit.

It also houses a science laboratory, mathematics laboratory, language laboratory, distance education unit and an information and communication laboratory with all the modern amenities. Education Minister Bandula Gunewardene identified the introduction of the technological study streams in to school curriculum as one of the turning points in the country's free education system.

He predicted further advancement in the education sector in the coming years under the leadership of President Rajapaksa. Speaking about the Mahinda Rajapaksa College in Homagama where the Education Minister played an instrumental role in establishing the facility, he said the college truly has been a model to follow for other educational institutions in the country in a number of areas.

The minister also highlighted at length giving detailed descriptions about the achievements in the school. Deputy Education Minister Mohan Lal Grero, politicians from the area, representatives from the embassies of China and India, educational officials, teachers, school students and parents attended. Prior to attending the event the President also opened the Mahindodaya Technological Laboratory at Central College, Maharagama and the newly built swimming pool at Kottawa Dharmapala Vidyalaya.