July 18, Colombo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has pointed out that children are the future of the nation and the country and therefore every parent needs to take the responsibility to protect them.

The President has made these remarks during a ceremony held yesterday at the Temple Trees to distribute 5,000 Ranbima land deeds to landless families from various parts of the country.

It was the second stage of the programme to award Ranbima Deeds under the Lands Reform Commission to grant ownership of lands to landless persons.

The President also pointed out that the significance of the village has now increased and the land should be utilized to the optimum to develop the country.

During the ceremony Senior Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake has presented the deed to a Buddhist monk who did not have a deed for a temple for over 30 years.

(Photos by Sudath Silva)