Lankan PM awarded honorary doctorate from Australia's Deakin University

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Australia's Deakin University for contributions in reforms in economy, education and human rights in his country.

"Post-graduation is the longest marathon over unchartered territory, so do not exhaust yourself during the starting decade," ColomboPage quoted Wickremesinghe as telling the graduates after receiving the honorary award at Deakin University's autumn graduation here.

The Prime Minister asked the graduates to be humble and learn from others, especially their mistakes.

Recalling his experience, the Prime Minister said that he wanted to be an advocate of the Supreme Court practicing at the Bar.

"Instead of which I ended up being the Prime Minister," he said.

Vice Chancellor and President of Deakin University, Professor Jane den Hollander, while introducing the Prime Minister said that the latter's significant achievements include restoring full-time electricity, rejuvenating the ailing economy, breaking down the many ethnic barriers in the country, negotiating for peace talks and galvanizing the goodwill and the financial support of the international community for Lanka.