Oct 02, Colombo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa will present 1,000 teaching appointments to math and science graduates today at a function today in the Temple Trees.

In a measure to uplift the education sector, a program to set up 409 "Mahindodaya" technical laboratories throughout the country was launched yesterday under the leadership of the President.

The government says over 16 billion rupees will be spent on the programme to revolutionize the education sector by 2016.

Meanwhile, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa Monday declared open the modernized Dalthara Primary school in Piliyandala educational zone, which is the first school developed under the national programme to develop 5,000 primary schools and 1,000 secondary schools in the island.

Under the programme, each school under the first phase of the project was given Rs.500,000 to carry out development projects such as construction of roadways and entrance gates, refurbishment of class rooms and its surroundings including the compounds to create a child friendly environment.