The government will initiate a proper programme within the next few years to empower our young generation with language skills so that they can win the world with the global knowledge, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The President made this statement at a meeting with the Buddhist clergy of Southern Province, at Weligama town hall, on Oct. 16.

The language skills of our young Buddhist monks should be developed in order to take the message of Theravada Buddhism, which is our noble heritage, to the world, he added.

A disciplined generation is needed to reach the government’s development targets, President stated adding, the government’s aim is to enhance the lives of the people physically and spiritually.

The President noted that Buddhist monks should intervene to save the young generation from the drug menace which is a major social problem today. He said that when he was the former Minister of Vocational Training, he took action to commence ‘Nenasala’ at Buddhist temples because he knew that the young generation would learn moral values through the association with the Temple and Buddhist clergy.

President Rajapaksa said he would take action to provide more facilities to temples and develop them.