Colombo, July 6: The High Commissioner of Pakistan Maj Gen (R) Umar Farooq Burki, on Thursday inaugurated the second “Street Library” and the Women’s Entrepreneurial Development Center at Kandy.
The aim of the library, gifted by Pakistan, is to further enhance the timeless friendship between our two countries, the High Commission said in a press release.
Books in all three languages Sinhala, Tamil and English will be available at the library.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was jointly done by High Commissioner Maj Gen (R) Umar Farooq Burki, and the Commissioner of the Kandy Municipal Council, followed by signing of handing-over document of the library administration to the Kandy Municipality for maintenance, security & upkeep of the property and books.
The location of the library is a scenic public area in the Sahas Uyana near Kandy City Center. The idea is that such location will be in easy access of the readers to keep up their interest in reading. Anyone can access this library for free.
The building and books were donated by the Government of Pakistan, under the concept of a “Street Library”. The Street Library is different from traditional libraries and will operate on the concept of “Take a book, leave a book”.
There is no librarian and anyone can come here and read books. Readers are encouraged to donate quality books of their choice to the library, especially when they are taking any book with them.
The Government of Pakistan believes that the raging violence in the world can only be alleviated by a humane society of educated thinking and aesthetic minds.
The High Commission thanked the Government of Sri Lanka on behalf of Pakistan for appreciating and accepting its proposal and providing a suitable area for the construction of the library.
Women Entrepreneurship Development Centre
The High Commissioner visited the Central Province Women Chamber of Commerce and Small Industries at Kandy and inaugurated the Women Entrepreneurship Development Centre.
The President of the Chamber Kanthi Madagammana along with Executive Committee Members of the Chamber received the High Commissioner. Ajith Perera, President Professional Business Coaches Association, Sri Lanka highlighted the role of the CPWCIC in promoting and advocating for women entrepreneurs of the Central Province.
The President along with all her members expressed gratitude to the High Commissioner for undertaking the initiative to support small women- owned businesses in the region.
The Centre is established with the support and donation of Computers and IT equipment by Pakistan for training of women entrepreneurs and to promote their economic uplift in the Central Province.
These initiatives are a part of the Pakistan High Commission public diplomacy efforts, establishing people to people contact, empowering the women who are interested in entrepreneurial activities but lack facilities and to boost economic cooperation between the two friendly countries.
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