"One should understand that there are problems in any sphere, but they also should understand not only the need for personal benefits, but also the needs of the country," the President said addressing the 39th Annual General Meeting of the Public Service Engineers Association at the Auditorium of the Buddha Mandiraya in Colombo on Friday (March 04).

The President pointed out that the Sri Lankan intellectuals have the freedom to study freely under the free education system and leave the country and no other country has such free opportunities.

"Without lamenting on the poor standards of our country, everybody should give the maximum contribution to the drive to build the nation with confidence and determination," he said.

The government is totally committed to solve all the issues in engineering, medical and other fields and take the nation forward, President Sirisena said.

"The government has the responsibility of providing health and knowledge to the people. Hence, we take every required step to strengthen fee education and free health service," the President declared.

He praised the Public Services Engineers Association (PSEA) for its valuable contributions to the development of the country.

The PSEA Chairman S G G Gamage presented a souvenir to the President to mark the occasion. Ministers Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Champika Ranawaka, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Engineering Institute, Wimalasena Gamage and other officials were present on this occasion.