National reading month event at D.S. Senanayake library Kandy
In 2004, The National Library and Documentation Services Board together with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage declared October as the reading month to encourage people of all ages, especially children to read books.
To mark the national reading month this year, the D.S. Senanayake Public Library, a department of the Kandy Municipal Council held a special event on October 1 at the ‘Karaliya’ Auditorium of the Municipal Council.
Kandy Municipal Commissioner Indika Abeysinghe welcomed guests with the inaugural speech.
Kandy’s Municipal Commissioner Indika Abeysinghe speaking at the event
The Chief Guest, Governor of the Central Province, Sarath Bandara Abayakoon spoke on the advantages of reading books. Nowadays, people search for information on the Internet but if one reads a book, knowledge can be enhanced and vocabulary can be improved, he added.
Guest speaker Dr. Mangala Kesara Dissanayake of the Arts Faculty, University of Peradeniya spoke in detail of the importance of reading, citing personalities such as Bill Gates who reads 50 books a year and Elon Musk, also an avid reader. On the theme for the month – ‘Lokaya Jayagena Etthé Kiyawana Manussaya’ (the man who reads has won the world) – he said reading also improves health, reduces stress and anxiety, aids sleep and fosters empathy.
National Library and Documentation Services Board Director General W.Sunil, spoke at length of the importance of reading and how they hope to improve the library facilities.
The E.L. Senanayake Children’s Library has extended their services to teach children singing, dancing and art free. A few children performed at this event.
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