The Government is committed to the welfare of the soldiers as well as the welfare of their families and children, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa after opening the newly-built swimming pool and the common amenities building at the Defence College, in Colombo yesterday (7).

Information Technology was available in the past to less than five percent of our schoolchildren but today with the introduction of the Nenasala programme, IT knowledge had reached rural areas to 32 percent of our schoolchildren, the President said.

"We have provided IT learning facility to 3,600 schools as I believe that we should empower our children from their very young days with IT skills," reported Daily News quoting the President.

We are aware that the members of the Armed Forces or Police could not find the time to visit schools of their children due to their duties. Most of their time was dedicated for their duties though it was important for parents to monitor the progress of their children, the President said.

Education and upbringing would be completed if there were sports and other extra curricular activities in schools for children so that their atmosphere would be a complete one, stated the President.

"It was equally important that children and parents were close to one another. Therefore, we are determined to build a society where such an atmosphere exists," said the President, Daily News reported.