The President said so delivering the keynote address at the mega book launch of the well known teacher of Sinhala, author, film producer and veteran media personality Upul Shantha Sannasgala on Wednesday (06) at the Tharanganee Cinema hall of the National Film Corporation. The launch of 15 books epitomised the 30 year ideological struggle carried out by Sannasgala as a social thinker. The event was titled Sanna-Aragalaya.

The President further pointed out that personalities of the calibre of Sannasgala, should break their silence for the betterment of society.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who was the guest speaker said that Sannasgala was in the habit of thinking about any issue in a different and novel manner. He was also very well aware that new ideas and creations were possible only when there was a society with freedom said the PM and added that Sannasgala was also with the forces striving to establish freedom in society by electing common candidate Maithripala Sirisena as president at the last Presidential election.

Sannasgala presented the first copies of his books to Ruwan Ferdinandez and later the copies were presented to President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and W.A. Wijewardena, who authored a book on Sannasgala in Colombo.

ITN Chairman Professor Ganganath Dissanayake, conducted the launching ceremony.