The inaugural ceremony for distributing mobile library vehicles to 10 selected Local Government institutions in the Western Province under the 'Arunu Dora' National Reading Promotion Program implemented alongside the Clean Sri Lanka national program took place on the morning of February 7 at the Presidential Secretariat.
In the first phase, 10 modern mobile library vehicles equipped with advanced facilities and 9,300 books were handed over to the Kesbewa and Seethawaka Urban Councils, as well as the Homagama, Dompe, Attanagalla, Minuwangoda, Wattala, Bulathsinhala, Walallawita, and Palindanuwara Pradeshiya Sabhas. The project was executed by the Provincial Councils and Local Government Department of the Western Provincial Council, with funding from the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat.
The 'Arunu Dora' program aims to cultivate an apetite for reading at the village level and build a knowledge empowered Sri Lanka. The ceremony recognized the exceptional efforts of the program throughout 2025.
Veteran writer Mr. Mahinda Prasad Masimbula delivered the keynote address, stressing that building a new society demands accurate social reading. He described delivering books village to village to spark public reading habits as a beautiful endeavor. Noting Sri Lanka's rich literary resources, he praised the Clean Sri Lanka program's formal delivery methods as a valuable cultural activity that will revive the nation's book reading culture.
Western Province Governor Hon. Haniffa Yusuf recounted fleeing the 1983 Black July riots with just two books and three shirts, crediting the vision from reading for his success. He commended the Clean Sri Lanka program for cleansing not only the environment but also the minds of the people, expressing high appreciation for this initiative benefiting future generations.
Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumara Nayaka emphasized the importance of such programs in today's turbulent society for nurturing a virtuous and educated future generation. He highlighted the Clean Sri Lanka National Program's focus on small scale projects with profound societal impact. He called for widespread support to elevate 'Arunu Dora' to a national-level endeavor.
The mobile library service will provide school children and rural communities with efficient, modern access to books. Event speakers underscored plans to expand similar initiatives island wide through 'Arunu Dora.'
Clean Sri Lanka Convener and Senior Additional Secretary to the President (Finance and Economic Affairs) Mr. G.M.R.D. Aponsu also addressed the gathering.
The event was attended by Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government Minister Prof. Chandana Aberathna, Ministry Secretary Mr. S. AlokaBandara, Additional Secretary to the President (Clean Sri Lanka) Engineer S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, Western Province Chief Secretary Mr. K.G. Pradeep Pushpa Kumara, mayors of beneficiary urban councils, pradeshiya sabha chairpersons and secretaries, and officials. Representatives from the Ministries of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, the National Library and Documentation Services Board, LB Finance PLC, the Publishers Association of Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lanka Scout Association were also present.