http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/10/24/news24.asp

Pakistani schoolgirl, an example to all - Dullas

Malala Yousufzai, the 14-year-old Pakistani school girl who was targeted and nearly killed by the Taliban terrorists for bravely standing up for the rights of all young girls to an education, is an example for all young girls in Sri Lanka as well, Dullas Alahapperuma, the Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development said. He said so addressing the students of the Presbyterian Girls National School in Dehiwela on the occasion of their annual prize giving.

Malala Yousafzai

The minister went on to say that Malala who is currently being treated in England had to face the wrath of the Taliban for bravely standing up for the rights of women to an education at a time when Taliban had issued statements to the contrary.

He said the Taliban has stated that women should be confined to the house to look after children and to do other household chores instead of having an education. Comparing this to the conflict which ravaged Sri Lanka not so long ago, the minister said there was a time when LTTE terrorists used school boys and girls for their war effort.

He recalled an incident where the LTTE terrorists had cut the finger of a girl from Mullaitivu after she sought permission to sit for an exam.

However, the minister pointed out that, the world's attention was not drawn to the fate of the girl from Mullaitivu in the same manner as the case of Malala. He said this was due to the practice of certain countries in identifying armed combatants who go against them as terrorists and others as mere fighters.

Speaking on the school, Minister Alahapperuma said Presbyterian, as an educational institution, has always tried to maintain harmony among all irrespective of differences.

Principal of the School S.K.Leelarathna also spoke.