A single prize does not raise a person up, nor does a failure lower them down. What you decide to achieve will determine your future. I trust the students who received prizes today as well as those who did not, stated Hon. N. Vethanayahan, Governor of Northern Province.
The Governor made these remarks while participating as the chief guest and distributing prizes at the annual prize-giving ceremony of Puthukkudiyiruppu Central College, held on Friday morning (02.10.2026) at the college hall. Various cultural performances by the students were also held at this event.
Highlighting that Puthukkudiyiruppu Central College has a long history and a unique educational tradition, the Governor noted that the college brings students to the forefront in various fields, including education, sports, language skills, arts, and science activities. He praised the college for demonstrating its educational quality, as 82% of students qualified for higher education in the previous year’s G.C.E. (O/L) examination. He also commended the students for achieving at the zonal, district, provincial, and national levels in extra-curricular activities.
However, the Governor emphasized that reading textbooks and getting high marks in exams alone will not turn a student into a complete human being needed by society. He stressed that students must engage in sports and the arts, learn to debate, learn to work together with others, and develop the mindset to accept failure. He noted that leadership qualities are formed through such experiences.
Whether students enter fields such as medicine, engineering, teaching, government service, or business in the future, the Governor stated that besides knowledge, they need the ability to guide people, make courageous decisions, and think of others.
“No matter what height you reach, if you cannot help another person, the meaning of that achievement diminishes. You must never forget the teachers who shaped you, the parents who raised you, and this community that gave you opportunities. You must give back to the land where you grew up,” the Governor urged.
Furthermore, noting that current educational reforms aim not just for exam-oriented education, but for an education that integrates knowledge, skills, values, critical thinking, and personality traits needed for life, the Governor advised students, “Do not study just for exams, learn for life.”
Stating that buildings and funds alone are not enough for the future development of Mullaitivu District, the Governor emphasized the need to build a new generation of intellectuals, talented individuals, leaders, and responsible people belonging to the district.
Pointing out that a significant number of people working in various government institutions and sectors in Mullaitivu District are from out districts, he clarified that he was not saying this to blame anyone. Instead, his expectation is that people from Mullaitivu District should take on responsibilities in their own district’s government institutions in larger numbers in the future.
At the same time, referring to the administrative need to send teachers from Jaffna to other districts in the Northern Province, the Governor noted that instead of such situations, it is essential to build the necessary human resources for each district within the district itself.
“You who are studying here today should return tomorrow as the teachers, doctors, engineers, administrators, and officers of this district. Instead of asking, ‘Why should I go back there?’, you should ask yourselves, ‘If I don’t go, who will?'” the Governor called upon the students.
Noting that Mullaitivu is not a resource poor district, the Governor stated that along with land, sea, agricultural, and natural resources, the district has the potential to build valuable human resources. He added that the future of this district rests in the hands of the students seated at the event today.
Congratulating the students who received prizes, the Governor encouraged those who did not receive prizes to move forward with the same confidence. He emphasized that not having your name called on stage is not the end of life, and that a prize does not elevate someone, nor does a failure diminish them.
Let this school give you education; let the teachers guide you; let your parents support you. But you must shape your own journey, the Governor told the students. He stated that the real success of such prize-giving ceremonies lies in the children of this soil taking on key responsibilities in government institutions, hospitals, schools, and development projects in Mullaitivu District in the future.
As part of the event, prizes were distributed to outstanding students by Hon. N. Vethanayahan, Governor of Northern Province. Following this, various cultural events were held to showcase the students’ artistic talents.
The event was held under the chair of the school Principal, Nevit Jeevarasa. Zonal Education Director Tamilmaran, former student of the school and Senior Professor, Faculty of Management, Jaffna University Raj Umesh, Puthukkudiyiruppu Asst. Divisional Secretary Mrs. Densiya Giritharan, Deputy Director of Education Balaraj, teachers, parents, students, alumni, retired Deputy Directors Education, and retired principals participated in the event.
