Lal Kantha says he holds no educational certificates

‘I’ve achieved what others do in five centuries’

• Says despite lack of certificates he has never faced difficulty in carrying out his duties or achieving success in life

By Sujith Hewajulige

Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, Irrigation and Mahaweli Development Minister K.D. Lal Kantha has revealed that he does not possess any formal educational qualifications, stating that the only documents he holds are his birth certificate, national identity card, passport, and driving licence.

Speaking at a public programme held in Kandy, Minister Lal Kantha said that despite lacking educational certificates, he has never faced difficulty in performing his duties or achieving success in life.  

“I don’t even have an O/L certificate. The only certificate I expect to receive in the future is my death certificate,” the Minister remarked.

He said that throughout his career, educational qualifications were never a requirement for his work, emphasising that he had already accomplished within his lifetime “what an ordinary person would take five centuries to achieve.”

“Some people earn degrees and certificates just to hang them in their living rooms. I have no objection to learning, but education should be for knowledge, not for show,” he said. The Minister further pointed out that the government’s role is not to provide jobs directly, but to create an environment where employment opportunities can be generated.