In conjunction with World Teachers’ Day on October 5th, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all teachers who are being recognized through various teacher appreciation ceremonies held nationwide as we celebrate National Teachers’ Day in our country on October 6^th.

This year’s National Teachers’ Day theme is “Recognizing Teaching as a Collective Profession with New Meaning.”

Accordingly, by listening to the voices of teachers and recognizing their value, we have taken steps to advance toward a new social discourse on education.

On this National Teachers’ Day, I call upon all teachers in our nation to join hands with us in writing a new chapter in the history of education.

Even as we look ahead to the coming decades of the future world, I firmly believe that our nation’s guiding generation of teachers will have the vision to shape a vocational, technological, and digital education system suitable for leading our student generation forward.

It is no secret that the great responsibility of nurturing our children to become genetically gifted, capable, and competent individuals for this future rests heavily upon the hands of the teaching fraternity.

In the future, vocational education will become a compulsory subject stream within the Advanced Level curriculum. Therefore, we must promptly identify and select the required secondary schools, training teachers, facilities, and human resources for that purpose.

At this moment, I respectfully remember the teachers – true parents to their students – who, despite minimal facilities, continue to share the light of knowledge even in the most difficult and remote regions.

Among the virtues of teachers, we celebrate today, I also wish to pay my deepest respect to those teachers whose tireless and silent dedication, made with full conscience and without seeking recognition, may not be visible to the public eye.

I sincerely wish that the principals and teachers currently serving within our education system will be able to perform a service capable of leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of students through their boundless commitment to the evolving process of transformative education. With these sentiments, I extend my warmest good wishes on the occasion of National Teachers’ Day 2025.

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education

– The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

While participating in the Nawarathri celebrating function held at the Ministry of Education the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that respecting all religions as well as all cultures and providing the appropriate status must be socialized through disseminating it within the system of education.

Further expressing her ideas, the Minister said that on a day like this where appreciating the beauty and spreading love and happiness by offering pujas, more attention must be drawn towards the better attitudes like sharing things and harmony.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, some of the officers and staff and the Additional Secretaries of the Ministry had participated in this function organized by the Tamil School Affairs Branch of the Ministry.

Media Unit

Hearing of several litigation activities in the supreme court in relation to the competitive examination that had been scheduled to be held on 25^th of March, 2023 for integrating the Development Officers working in the schools and the graduate officers in public service into teacher service has been already finalized. But because the trial at appeal court has not yet been finalized, the further activities with regard to the above examination will be done after declaring the final decree of that case.

Nalaka Kaluwewe

Secretary   

After finalizing the parliamentary activities related to this proposed amendment, if there are any instructions / guidelines that should be given in relation to it, this ministry will take actions to issue them to the schools.

Nalaka Kaluwewe

Secretary 

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that the law on punishment is not an amendment made targeting schools or teachers, but a reform carried out for the protection of all children in the entire society.

The Minister made this remark yesterday (27), during a program held at the Ministry of Education to raise awareness among principals of national schools.

Further expressing her views, the Prime Minister said:

“This is not merely an issue concerning schools. This is a matter regarding physical and psychological punishments imposed on children. It is not only within schools — you know, children taken into custody by the police, institutionalized children, children who are abandoned, as well as all children in society, are affected by this issue. It occurs both physically and psychologically. Serious problems have arisen concerning violence inflicted on children by adults or responsible persons in society. This is not a law amended targeting schools or teachers. This is a reform concerning the punishment of children as a whole. It is a reform targeting especially institutionalized children, children under police custody, children under probation, as well as all these groups, regarding physical punishments and psychological abuse. This has a broader meaning. But the discussion that has now emerged is that we cannot punish children in order to maintain discipline, that no form of punishment is allowed. We have not stopped punishment altogether. We have not banned maintaining discipline. But if, as a society, we think that discipline can be maintained only by inflicting physical harm or only by subjecting them to psychological oppression, then we have many things to discuss. If we live in a society that believes punishment through violence is essential to maintaining discipline, then we still have many issues left to address, I believe. That is why we have extended this debate. This is a matter that needs discussion. What we are saying is that there are positive ways to punish and to maintain discipline. There are many methods to discipline a child without humiliating, abusing, or subjecting them to pressure. We will hold workshops and discussions about those methods. More than this, there is something else our society should reflect on.

Look at police reports today, or visit a hospital — you will see that our country is not only facing an economic crisis but also a multitude of social crises. Among those, conflict is a major one. Conflicts exist in any society, but in our society the primary method of resolving conflicts has become violence. We live in a country where domestic violence has escalated. Domestic violence has reached a level that cannot even be imagined. In our generation, when thinking about initiation ragging practices, we thought of them in a somewhat affectionate way, based on our own experiences. But today initiation ragging practices have become unbearable for children. Conflict resolution in our society has become centered on violence. We live in a country where domestic violence has increased to unimaginable proportions. Ask your children about the incidents happening in hostels — violence exists there. In institutions, among young men and women, and even in temples, churches, and kovils, these situations are emerging. That is extremely dangerous. Then, have we become a society that accepts resolving conflicts through violence? If so, that is very serious. That is not civilized.”

Further expressing her views, the Minister stated that it is essential to lead society to a more advanced level.

Director General of the Bribery Commission, Mr. Ranga Dissanayake, also expressed his views at the event:

“Regarding the Department of Education and schools, there is something to be said. That is, principals are engaged in a tremendous struggle to maintain schools. Very often we also receive reports about collecting money from children. One day I even spoke to the Secretary about this. Circulars have been issued. There are also School Development Societies. They collect money. There are also needs to carry out work in schools. Now, to some, this may appear like a form of bribery. Therefore, those matters need to be regularized — what can be obtained and what cannot. Otherwise, principals, who sincerely want to develop their schools, as said in the “Guru Geethaya”, face difficulties. Therefore, these matters need to be structured. Then we will also be able to question why excessive money was taken. Even regarding contributions made by children to schools, we cannot simply dismiss it from one side. The main accusation against principals is that they take money to admit children to schools. But when some parents pay money to admit their children to schools, none of them has ever come to complain that their child was admitted by paying money. However, those same people also say that Sri Lanka is extremely corrupt, and that one cannot even admit a child to school without paying money. There too lies a human problem. Therefore, a proper system must definitely be created for that.”

Media Unit

– The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, addressing the Islamic Religious Advisory Board, stated that all Sri Lankan students should be provided with a simple understanding and recognition of the aesthetic components present within all cultures, and that through this, mutual respect and genuine reconciliation could be established.

She further stated that strengthening activity-based practices in schools is one of the objectives of the new educational reforms, and that following these reforms, students will be directed towards an activity-centered educational methodology. Consequently, even religious education in schools will become activity-based in the future.

Responding to a proposal regarding the recruitment of teachers to teach the subject of Islam in Sinhala medium, the Minister further expressed that the relevant statistical data will be examined, and based on the necessity determined by those data, recruitment could be carried out.

Media Unit

– The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya  said that guiding the future generation to use technology in solving the problems faced by people in the modern world to create a better tomorrow is a prime responsibility of the education sector.

The Minister made this remark while participating today in the “Robo Show – 2025” All-Island School Robotics and Innovation Competition, organized by the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, held at the “Ape Gama” premises in Battaramulla.

Further expressing her views at the event, the Prime Minister stated that the role of education is to produce a generation capable of overcoming challenges by using technology as a foundation. She further pointed out that new educational reforms are being implemented in line with global technological developments and labor market demands, and that at present not only subjects such as artificial intelligence, robotics, medicine, and engineering, but also agriculture, industry, and even everyday ordinary life are being rapidly transformed and updated through technology.

Bringing out the hidden talents of schoolchildren, encouraging and appreciating them, updating their understanding of the future direction of the world of work, guiding them to think innovatively, and thereby developing their inventive abilities are among the objectives of this robotics and innovation competition. It is also aimed at strengthening the government’s intervention in robotics education, popularizing the abilities of schoolchildren across the island, developing within students the robotic technical skills required for the future labor market, and thereby establishing entrepreneurship concepts in relation to automation. This annual competition is conducted through sectors such as manufacturing industry, environmental studies, education, engineering, production, entertainment, health, and medical sciences.

School students below the age of 18, from Grade 6 to Grade 13, of both national and provincial schools across all provinces of Sri Lanka, participate in this competition. Winners are awarded financial prizes for first, second, and third places, along with certificates of skill.

This occasion was also attended by Minister of Science and Technology Krishantha Abeysena, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology W.L. Mohamed Nawawi, and others. The Prime Minister too joined in observing the various creations of the students.

Media Unit

– Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

The Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that counseling and psychology should be included in the school curriculum, and that a proper plan should be prepared for the recruitment of teachers for this purpose.

The Minister expressed these views while participating in a discussion held to provide awareness on the current status of the program to formulate a National Policy on Psychological Counseling, which is aimed at maintaining the mental level of school-going students in a sound manner.

Further expressing her views, the Minister pointed out that programs of this nature should be implemented in all schools in the country according to a systematic plan that covers all provinces. Drawing attention to the vacancies of provincial psycho-social resource center managers, as well as the facilities required for resource centers, and also to the positive discipline management methods relevant to the field of education, the Minister stated that it should be considered whether greater effectiveness could be achieved by solving problems such as conflict resolution, drug abuse, exploitation, and child abuse all in one place.

It was also brought to the Minister’s attention that discussions are being held with teachers, teacher advosors, and subject directors, while also considering international standards, to formulate a National Policy against Child Violence. Under the pilot project of this program, children are reported to be very happy in the classrooms that have been prepared, and the pilot program is currently being successfully carried out, covering 50 schools across provinces at the rate of 10 schools per province.

Media Unit

In line with the new education reforms, under the long-term plan of the Information and Communication Technology Division of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education for the digital transformation of general education, a program was conducted to provide digital devices to schools while simultaneously developing the human resource capacity of the school system. As part of this initiative, a progress review meeting of the overseas training program held in collaboration with the People’s Republic of China was conducted at the Ministry, under the patronage of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Under the implementation of the Digital Government Policy, with the support of the Department of External Resources, the digital transformation program planned to be continuously carried out at the school, zonal, and provincial levels, has become a unique opportunity received by the education system of the country for human resource development. For the first phase, a group of 38 individuals participated in the overseas training program.

– The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.    

In line with the Milad Un Nabi the commemoration ceremony of the birth of Holy Prophet Nabi, a program organized by the Muslim Schools Development Branch of the Ministry of Education was held today (16.09.2025) at the auditorium in the seventh floor of the Ministry of Education.

Participating in this occasion as the chief guest The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that the exceptional human qualities such as compassion, sincerity, mutual understanding, co-existence and not to cherish hatred emerging from the teachings of Holy Nabi are the best paragons for the modern society.  

Further expressing ideas, she said that Holy Prophet Nabi has done a great sacrifice for the society through his preaching of the core principles of his doctrine as well as through his generous deeds who dedicated to build up an esteemed human love.    

The acting Secretary of Education Mr. A.J.S.S. Edirisuriya, The Professor of the Social Sciences and Tertiary Education Division of the Open University J.D. Careemdeen, the Additional Secretaries and the Directors of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education participated in this function.

Media Unit

The nutrition grogram of the government to provide meals to school children is implemented covering 100 education zones in all provinces in the island and 32 billion rupees budgetary allocations have been reserved for the year 2025 for this program. At the moment 1.4 million student population learning in 8,943 schools receive the benefit of this school nutrition program.

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education with the intention of providing a healthy and active generation of children to the nation implements the program of providing free meals to school children annually in view of creating a beneficial citizen to the country through minimizing the nutritional issues of school children, promoting better food habits and health habits and building an indigenous food culture.     

There are several criteria in selecting schools for this school nutrition program that is implemented since the year 2006 as a national program. In the first criterium all the students in schools with less than 100 student population are considered as eligible to provide these meals. But if the school is approved from the beginning, even though the number of students is more than 100, all the students are provided with food. In the second criterium all the students in primary classes from grade 1 to 5 in all schools are considered as eligible. The third criterium indicates that all students in special education units or special education schools are qualified to receive benefits of this food program. The third criterium says that the lay students in selected Pirivenas and priest students as required are included in this program. It is mentioned in the fifth criterium that the students in grades 6 to 13 are also included in this program depending on the nutritional condition and the necessity.     

Within the first hour after commencing school that is between 7.30 am and 8.30 am the food is provided and Rs. 110/- has been allocated for one daily meal of a student. According to the new circular No. 14/2025 dated 01.04.2025 the Ministry of Education has taken steps to provide a nutritious breakfast sufficiently within the school which is mostly neglected in the modern busy life style, to the students in all schools in the island without any discrimination including the reputed schools. 

Accordingly, with the aim of providing a more nutritious meal to the students, on the request made by the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the allocation reserved for this program was doubled in comparison to the last year allocation and this program is implemented through the direction of Teachers, Principals, Teacher Advisors and Zonal and Divisional Directors of Education and under the supervision of Public Health Inspectors of the Ministry of Health with the aim of providing a healthy and nutritious meal.

Media Unit  

The official function was held on 11.09.2025 at the premises of Ministry of Education, Battaramulla to exchange the agreement certificates related to provide total amount of school uniforms required for 4,418,404 school children in government and government assisted schools for the year 2026 as a donation from the government of China. It was held with the leadership of the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna and the Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong.

At this occasion the exchange of the certificate expressing the consent to provide the uniforms necessary for 2026 was happened between the Secretary of Ministry Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa and the Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong.

Expressing ideas at this occasion the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna said,  

For the year 2025 also, China donated 11.82 million meters of cloths to Sri Lanka. From that the total national requirement was covered as well as more than 4.6 million students all over the country were directly benefited. This valuable contribution worth more than 5.17 billion Rupees paved the way for all the students from tender age to senior students preparing for national examinations to study with dignity and equality. It must be appreciated for making a same contribution for the year 2026 also.  

Further expressing the ideas, the Deputy Minister said that the immediate response from China about the donation of uniforms for 2026 is a fact reflecting the mutual friendship between the Sri Lankan government and China.

A team of officers from the Chinese Embassy and from the Ministry of Education attended this occasion.

Media Unit

The representatives of teacher-principal trade unions were summoned to the premises of the Ministry of Education today (10.09.2025) with the intention of setting up of proposed education council as soon as possible that was proposed by the committee established to expedite human resource development process. 

Among the proposals submitted by the teacher’s trade unions at this occasion, the unanimous compliance of all was expressed to the idea of this education council must be a standardized organization with a stable set of principles completely devoid of politicization. The matters such as the necessity of preparing the criteria for the time frame, set of ethics and the scope of responsibility of the members of education council were basically raised at this occasion and it was emphasized this must be established and stabilized mainly upon the views and suggestions of relevant professionals just like other professional councils in this country.          

The chairperson of the sub-committee for establishing the educational council, a section of parliamentary sub-committee for education, the Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe, several trade unions of Sri Lanka Teacher Service and Sri Lanka Principal Service participated in this occasion.

Media Unit

Under Secondary Education Sector Improvement Program (SESIP) in 2025, financial allocation of 500 million has been reserved as a school-based donation to purchase equipment and chemicals for the laboratories in type 1AB and type 1C schools throughout the island.

At the moment the Science Section of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education is transferring the relevant allocations to the accounts of school development societies and the reservation of allocations is based on the number of students in the schools.

The maximum amount of money reserved for a school is one million rupees and the minimum amount is 40.000 rupees.   

The objective of this move is the improvement of Science education, to draw more attention to practical activities and the development of infrastructure facilities to make the education reforms successful that will be implemented in the near future.

Media Unit

A discussion was held today (03.09.2025) at the Ministry of Education between the trade union of the lecturers of Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education and the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya regarding the academic and other issues of that institution and the Director General of that institution Mr. Chandana Rodrigo also participated in that occasion.

At this occasion the lecturers of that institution directing the attention towards the place vested on the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education in the presence of new educational transformations and changes and the future positioning of that institute, stated that there are obstacles and issues for the students regarding the opportunities for higher educational access from both educational and professional sides. Explaining the matters in this regard the Prime minister said that the attention will be drawn to prepare measures in a new approach enabling those two sections to go forward together. The Prime Minister further informed to these lecturers to draw their attention to take steps for updating the syllabuses of academic and professional courses of the institute to suit the modern world.    

Drawing her attention to the matters presented by the trade union regarding the salaries and allowances of academic / non-academic staff of the institute the prime Minister said the discussions will be held with the Ministry of Finance with regard to solving those issues.

Media Unit       

A discussion was held between the committee members of student activists of inter-university colleges and the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Ministry of Education and the officials of the ministry had also attended in this occasion.

At this occasion those student activists presented their welfare and educational difficulties in front of the Prime Minister. The students receiving the national vocational technological training for two three years have to follow a course for three years after entering to the vocational technology university. The student activists submitted the details regarding to reduce that duration of time.  

They also pointed out that along with the approval of national competencies some parts of the subjects have been deleted from the course of beauty-cultural science affecting to reduce the quality of that course. The prime Minister instantly asked the officers to find out the situation and to submit a report immediately on that matter.

The issues were also presented at this occasion related to the problem of lands of Anuradhapura University College and other University Colleges, the administrative problems in Ratmalana Technical College, the issues in acquiring land of Kuliyapitiya University College and the Prime Minister gave necessary instructions to the relevant officers to take necessary actions for these issues.

Media Unit  

– The Minister of Education, higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The Minister of Education, higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that the responsibility of bringing about a transformational change within the country belongs to the political leadership as well as to the high-ranking officers in the public service.

The Minister stated these ideas while participating in the function held for awarding the appointment letters to new officials recruited on limited basis to the grade three of Sri Lanka Educational Administrative Service. At this function held at the Ministry of Education the appointment letters were presented to 405 new officers.

Further expressing ideas, The Minister said, 

“You are receiving these appointments at a point of time that the history can be changed. A large part of our expected dream of building the transformational era belongs to the field of education. The country needs a strong public service. But you have to understand that it is not just an employment but an essential task for fulfilling the expectations of the people.”

Our country needs a distinctive educational administrative service with the ability to perform their responsibility of duty correctly and to take decisions that awaken the self-conscience. It was further emphasized that if we are going towards a transformational era at the moment, leaving behind the old system prevailing in the field of education, you have to identify the issues of the people and not stopping there, you have to bear the responsibility to take necessary actions to solve them.   

The Prime Minister further stated that a powerful political authority as well as a strong public service with the ability to take straight decisions is needed for a powerful state service.  Fulfilling people’s expectations must be taken as the main target, abstaining from the private agendas.

The Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna also had participated in this function and ensured that always his assistance will be given to new officers. It was specially emphasized at today’s function that the new transformational path of the country bringing out quality changes in the field of education within the next decade will depend on the efficiency of the new officers.

A large number of high-level officials of the ministry including the Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa and the Additional secretary of Education Service Section Kamal Ariyasingha joined in this occasion.

Media Unit

– The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

There was a discussion at the Ministry of Education between The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and the representatives of combined association of unemployed graduates and the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara and the Member of Parliament Chandana Suriyaarachchi had also participated in it. 

At this occasion it was mentioned that the judicial process of four cases pending in the supreme court, which had affected to delay the appointment of unemployed graduates as teachers, have now reached the final stage. Therefore, as soon as those judicial activities are finalized, actions will be taken to publish the relevant gazette and the opportunity will be given to the graduates to apply for teacher examination. It was also mentioned that the necessary actions will be taken to do the other graduate appointments just as the approval given by the cabinet.     

Furthermore, the agreement was expressed at this occasion to amend and extend the age limit to apply for the teacher examination and to expedite the appointments for all existing teacher vacancies. 

– The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

A special discussion was held at the Ministry of Education by The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya with principals and teachers’ unions with regard to new education reforms. At this occasion an extensive discussion was held about the issues that the principals and teachers’ unions are having about the new education reforms and about the subject modules in new reforms.  

And also, it was emphasized the importance of joint cooperation that should be maintained among the institutions like the Ministry of Education, National Institute of Education and National Education Commission and about the development happening in the field education through it.

Further expressing the views, The Prime Minister said, “Changing the disparity prevailing within this education system is a main objective we have. Accordingly, our basic aim is to create a system of education in which all the children can come to an acceptable position through our education system, not only a section of children.”   

Furthermore, the ideas and suggestions of the unions of principals and teachers are very important for this new education reforms and it is essential to discuss with all the teachers at district level about new education reforms, said The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The officers of the Ministry of Education, and the National Institute of Education including the Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa and the members of principals and teachers’ unions joined in this occasion.

Media Unit

The blood donation program organized for the fifth time by Transport Welfare Society of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education was held on 20th of August, 2025 at the premises of Isurupaya, Ministry of Education.

This program was started with the participation of The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, The Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Madhura Senevirathna and the Secretary of Education and the objective of this program was to donate blood required for Sri Jayawardhanapura and Apeksha hospitals.

Media Unit.

Presentation of the appointment letters to the members of voluntary advisory council appointed for the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education upon the necessity of incorporating individuals with diverse experiences from various fields to the education sector with the aim of achieving its expected educational goals by preparing a plan of action according to the policies of new government for developing the education qualitatively, was done by The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Ministry of Education premises. These appointments were given according to the instructions and guidelines issued by the Presidential Secretariat allowing each minister to get appointed an advisor or a team to assist in taking decisions related to their functions and tasks.    

The following people received their appointment letters as male and female members of this advisory council.

• Rev. Morakandegoda Ariyawansa Thero – Senior Lecturer, Ruhuna University
• Professor Kalinga Tudor Silva – Honorary Professor, Peradeniya University
• Professor Shyamani Hettiarachchi – Professor, Disability Study Section, Medical Faculty, Kelaniya University
• Mr. Ananda Galappaththi – The Commissioner of the Lancet Commission for child racism and global health
• Dr. Sengarapille Ariwalahan – Senior Lecturer on Statistics, Jaffna University
• Dr. Sayuri Ruwanmali Perera – Senior Lecturer on Psychiatry Peradeniya Medical Faculty and Instructor of Psychiatry, Peradeniya Teaching Hospital 
• Mr. Dhammika Alahapperuma – Chairperson, Lanka Teacher Service Union
• Mr. Ramindu Perera – Lecturer Sri Lanka Open University
• Mr. Rathnayaka Karunasiri – retired Director of Education
• Dr. Y.H. Shashidara De Silva – Resource Person of the national training program of sports medical fitness for Doctors
• Mr. T. John Quintus – retired Commissioner General of Educational Publications
• Mr. T.M. Premawardhana – retired Director of Education
• Dr. Janaka Jayalath – Senior Lecturer, University of Vocational Technology
• Dr. Wasantha Herath – Sri Lanka Permanent Representative of Asia Pacific Early Childhood Development 

The Secretary of the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, The Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna and a team of ministry officials participated in this occasion.

Media Unit

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna said that the consent was expressed to provide solutions for several issues of the students of Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, Colombo such as preventing the delay of internship training, management of hostels and shortage of resources and to have further discussions for that purpose.

The Minister expressed this after having a discussion with a group of student representatives from the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, Colombo held on 12.08.2025 at Higher Education Section, Ward Place, Colombo.

Further expressing the ideas at that occasion, the Minister said,

It is expected to take immediate actions together with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of health to expedite the internship training of the students. Likewise, the student representatives pointed out several issues such as mismanagement of the hostels belonging to the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, Borella, not maintaining the hostels properly, the welfare issues faced by resident students and spending a large amount of money for hiring hostels when there is possibility to provide hostel facilities. Accordingly, we were able to discuss with the management of the faculty and to give necessary instructions to the relevant sections. We will be able to do a special intervention further in this matter to solve the students’ welfare and other related issues very soon. 

The students raised the necessity of developing the physical and human resources in relation to the increasing student registration and we will be able to provide solutions for them also from the part of government within a short period of time. Specially we take action to interfere with the development of lab facilities, library facilities, study hall facilities, canteen facilities and sanitary facilities.  

In addition to this, it is expected to discuss with all the sections including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, University of Colombo, faculty representatives and student representatives about the issues that have come up regarding the complex situations of syllabuses, issues in clinical training, and the issues in relation to internship medical training. In fact, an extensive discussion is needed regarding this. We will be able to provide solutions for these issues in the future, he said.

A gathering including the ministry officials participated in this occasion.   

-The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that a vision with a broader meaning is needed for the field of education, going far beyond the providing education targeting at an employment.

The Prime Minister stated this at a discussion held at the Ministry of Education with the officers of Educational Administrative Service who had come back after completing the training session held in India from 8^th to 21^st of last June for the capacity development of the officers in Educational Administrative Service.

Two officers from each province representing all the provinces in the island had been selected for this training and the Commonwealth Asian Learning Media Center conducted this training program. It is a special condition that the officers in the Educational Administrative Service who are serving in all parts of the island without any foreign training so far, have been selected for this training. 

The objective of this program was to utilize the training received in India for the changes that should be done in the field of education in this country and to obtain a quality service from those trained officers for the quality development of education system.

The Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education Amal Edirisuriya and the officers representing the Department of Examinations, National Institute of Education and Education Reforms Branch participated in this program organized by the Foreign Agencies and External Affairs Branch of the Ministry of Education.

Media Unit.

– The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said to strengthen the investigation division of Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education by filling necessary vacancies completely there and expedite the investigations in order to investigate efficiently the complaints received in connection with the schools.

The Prime Minister stated this as the chairperson of the parliamentary advisory committee of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education which was held yesterday (06) at the committee room number six, while answering the questions raised there.

The third meeting of the parliamentary advisory committee that was appointed by the tenth parliament for the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, was held at the parliament yesterday.

At this occasion the discussions were held about several matters including teacher training and necessary infrastructure development related to education reforms, rectifying the shortcomings prevailing in the schools, reestablish in a permanent location the schools conducted in temporary buildings, providing vocational education opportunities and university admissions to the children with special needs and implementing the policy of appointments and transfers in the teacher, principal and teacher educator services.      

The Prime Minister pointed out at this occasion that it is essential to consider about the vacancies as well as the humanitarian needs when providing appointments and when doing transfers and placements it is necessary to do them so as not to occur any issue in the education system. According to the requests made by the members of parliament, as the minister in charge of the subject, the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said to fill the available vacancies completely in the investigation division of Ministry of Education and to take action to expedite the investigations with transparency.

The relevant chairpersons of the sub-committees appointed for the affairs of education reforms also presented their progress at this occasion.

A gathering including The Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, The Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Deputy Secretary of the Parliament Chaminda Kularathna, the Secretary of Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa and the officers of the ministry were present at this occasion.

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– The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harani Amarasuriya

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harani Amarasuriya stated that The Universities must work with responsibility for the provision of security to the students entering the universities, providing welfare facilities and learning facilities.

The Prime Minister expressed this at the discussion held today (03) at the Kilinochchi Campus of Jaffna University with academic, non-academic staff, teachers, and the students including the Vice Chancellor of the University.

The Prime Minister drew her attention at this occasion towards the areas of residential facilities, water, electricity and other welfare facilities faced by the university students and she asked to solve the students’ problem of drinking water within one month that has not been solved so far and directed the District Development Committee to supervise it.  

Further expressing the ideas, The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harani Amarasuriya said like this.

Annually 40,000 students enter the state universities after passing the Advanced Level. The universities must work with responsibility to provide these students with the protection, welfare and learning facilities properly.  

The child who pass out from the university after obtaining a traditional degree must have a confidence about the future life. In the same way it is important to develop the universities as research institutions that provide quality post graduate degrees.

The various harassments, sexual torments, crimes, influences as well as the violence must be stopped immediately. We are ready to take maximum measures as a government for that purpose. 

It is important that the university children take action to use their available freedom in a responsible manner but it is not appropriate to limit their freedom unnecessarily.  

We can see the faculties and the facilities are improved in various ways in our university system but there is the question whether there are facilities for children to pursue with their studies within the relevant faculties.

It is necessary to take immediate action for the protection of the students of Jaffna University and the problem of drinking water.

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further said that the responsibility must be taken to work with consent and cooperation between the university students and the university administration.

The Deputy Minister Upali Samarasingha, the members of parliament, the Deans including the Vice Chancellor of the university Sivakulundu Sathgunarajah, academic and non-academic staff and the university students were present at this occasion.    

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Pirivena education has a long history and the priests have to perform a special duty while preserving that history and tradition. It is necessary to create such a Pirivena education in order to do that duty properly, said The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.  

The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated this while participating in the function held at the Ministry of Education, Isurupaya, Battaramulla on 30^th 0f July to present appointment letters to new Pirivena teachers approved by the 203^rd Pirivena Education Board.

The appointment letters were presented to 273 Pirivena teachers at this occasion.

Expressing ideas at this occasion The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said,

“Today our priests have an extraordinary undertaking within the Buddhist religion. As well as that enormous service, the traditional duty that has been performing conventionally, today we have been exposed to the world. The entire world is vigilant on the Buddhist teachings, philosophy and the content of it.   

Therefore, our priests must be connected with the world. Within the contemporary changes and social and economic conditions happening in the world, the present task of Buddhism is very special and essential more than any other time.

Within that context, we have to think carefully about what kind of teachers and what type of Pirivena education we must create and also while our history and traditions are preserved, we must be prepared for the special ventures vested on the priests.     

All of Honorable you have a special challenge. Not only teaching, creating a generation of monks who protect the Buddhism is a special undertaking. Not only educating the practicality, discipline and commands present in the Buddhist philosophy, it must be proved through our personal behavior. There, you all have a great responsibility gone beyond the knowledge and education. 

Our education system presently having a considerable discussion and at the time we are going to turn into a new reform, it is necessary to have a dialogue and discussion about how we integrate Pirivena education with it, The Prime Minister said.

The congregation of priests including the Director of Pirivena Education Rev. Royal Pandit Dr. Kumbalgoda Dhammaloka Thero and a team of officers including the Secretary of the Ministry of Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa participated in this occasion.

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The approval has been received to award equal status of NVQ 6 for Higher National Diploma in Quantity Survey (HNDQS) and Higher National Diploma in English (HNDE) conducted by Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE).

At the meeting of Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) bearing the No. 2025/05/303 held on 8 th of July, 2025, it was decided that the above two courses are compliant with the standards of NVQ 6 level and accordingly the students who successfully completed the courses Higher National Diploma in Quantity Survey (HNDQS) and Higher National Diploma in English (HNDE) can send their applications together with a copy of final certificate certified by the Director / Principal / Director General of SLIATE including a fee of Rs. 1000.00 for issuing the certificate equal to NVQ 6 level. The relevant circular will be implemented from 09.07.2025.

– The Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna

The Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna stated that his special attention has been drawn to create a learning environment devoid of stress for teacher trainees in National Colleges of Education and to launch a plan of action for the quality development of National Colleges of Education. He expressed this while addressing a discussing held at the Ministry of Education, Battaramulla for the presidents of the National Colleges of Education.

The Presidents of all National Colleges of Education in the island participated in this discussion and they had the opportunity to discuss about academic and nonacademic problems and the issues relating to the infrastructure development of each college.  The Deputy Minister said that his special attention will be drawn to the issues not considered so far to create a quality learning environment for teacher trainees and quick solutions will be provided to the Colleges of Education where special issues are prevailing, after making an observation tour. 

Further expressing ideas at this occasion, the Minister said,

Creating a free learning environment for teacher trainees and taking steps for their mental wellbeing is an investment for the future. Because they are people who go to the students as school teachers in the future. We are already taking steps to strengthen counselling services to improve their mental health.

The Chief Commissioner for Teacher Education Ms. Iroshini K. Paranagama and a team of officers from the Ministry of Education had attended in this occasion.

The occasion of officially declaring the completion of the donation of total quantity of cloths to the value of 5,171 million Rupees necessary for school uniforms for the year 2025
donated by the Chinese government, was held on 16 th of July at the Ministry of Education, Battaramulla with the participation of the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasooriya.  

The exchange of certificates related to the declaration of finalizing the donation of total requirement of uniforms for the year 2025 was happened between The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasooriya and The Ambassador of China in Sri Lanka Mr. Qi Zhenhong.

By this time, a request has been made to the embassy of People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka through the Department of Foreign Resources for taking actions to donate school uniforms necessary for the year 2026.

Expressing views at this occasion, The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasooriya said that there is a long-term collaborative friendship between Sri Lanka and China. This donation of school uniforms provided for the children in our schools is also one step of that long-term friendship.

The government of China has provided a considerable amount of national requirement of school uniforms in 2023 and 2024 and in 2025 the total requirement of school uniforms has been provided for children in our country. The donation provided by the government of China for the education of children in our country is highly valuable for us in a period of very difficult time for Sri Lanka. 

Our government has already made a request from the government of China asking for the continuous support also for the year 2026. And also on behalf of the children and parents in our country, I express my thankfulness to the government and the people of China.

Expressing ideas in this occasion The Ambassador of China in Sri Lanka Mr. Qi Zhenhong said that,

China takes action as your confident comrade as well as the supporter whenever Sri Lanka needs it. The children are not only the future of this country but also the inheritors of the friendship between China and Sri Lanka.

Every stich of their uniform will tell the story of the mutual cooperation between our two ancient civilizations. I highly appreciate the dedication and contribution of The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasooriya for the education of this country.

A team of officers from the embassy of China in Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Education participated in this occasion.  

The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasooriya 

The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasooriya said to take necessary recommendations and actions to prevent all kinds of ragging, harassments and violence prevailing in the university system and other higher educational institutions. She mentioned this at the discussion held today (02) at the Ministry of Education with the National Task Force for the prevention of all kinds of ragging, harassments and violence in the higher educational institutions.    

The Minister said at this occasion that the necessary power and assistance of the state will be provided to this task force that has been appointed for 3 years to investigate and to take necessary actions in relation to all kinds of ragging, harassments and violence happening from the students, academic and non-academic staffs in the university system and other higher educational institutions.

The representatives of the task force pointed out at this occasion that there are personal as well as social reasons affecting for these violent actions and several other matters such as not having proper relationship between students and educational administration, academic and non-academic staff, wrong attitudes of the students about the ragging and using violence for gaining submission and respect, were also explained by the representatives. The attention was drawn at this occasion to the matters such as the influences made by the management and the teachers in the university system when offering marks and classes to the students making them depressed.   

The Minister of Education Dr. Harini Amarasooriya said at this occasion that the necessary shot-term and long-term measures must be taken to prevent all kinds of harassments and to prepare necessary methods and mechanisms for this purpose and as this cannot be ended only through legal procedures, while updating the present laws the programs such as attitude development must be organized. 

The Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna stated at this occasion that the attention must be drawn to the students becoming victims of various harassments and the actions must be taken assuring the safety of them.

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A meeting between the South Korean Ambassador in Sri Lanka Madam Miyon Lee and the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna was held on 24^th of June at Isurupaya the Ministry of Education premises. The Deputy Minister welcomed the ambassador there and the attention was drawn at strengthening the bilateral relationships between Sri Lanka and South Korea.  

The attention was drawn here at the building up of the vocational education sector to suit the labor force in the country, the exchange programs for technical education between Sri Lanka and South Korea and the expanding the higher educational opportunities in the universities. And also, a special attention was drawn at widening the opportunities of learning Korean language within Sri Lankan school system and for establishing a Korean Cultural center in Sri Lanka.

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It has been planned to implement the program “Labored Movement” under the “Clean Sri Lanka” for the purpose of creating an attractive learning environment to the students studying in vocational education institutions maintained under the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.

This program will be commenced at 8.00 am on 04th of July covering all 311 vocational training centers operating under the Ministry of Vocational Training, with the full assistance from the three armed forces.

These matters were revealed at the discussion held today (17) at the Presidential Secretariat with the leadership of the Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage.

Nearly three hundred thousand students sit for General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Examination annually but nearly 240,000 students do not get the chance for entering the universities. Out of that amount about 125,000 students enter the vocational training institutions operating under the Ministry of Vocational Education and about 50,000 students are directed to other affiliated higher education institutions.

Accordingly, it has been planned to implement this program by the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education together with the Secretariat of Clean Sri Lanka in order to direct nearly 175,000 students towards vocational education, who miss the university admissions annually and to provide them with a conducive educational environment and necessary facilities.

It is scheduled to involve in this program about 160,000 people including 125,000 students learning in the vocational training centers, about 10,000 non-academic staff together with the people residing in the area.

A group of people including the officers from Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat together with Senior Additional Presidential Secretary Mr. G.M.R.D. Aponsu and Additional Presidential Secretary Mr. A.P.C. Sugeeshwara, the officers from the Ministry of Defense and the senior officers representing the three armed forces participated in this discussion.

The Minister expressed this at a program held today (17) at the Ministry of Education regarding the sensitization of school children about the adolescent sanitation. 

At this occasion community specialist Doctor Mrs. Asanthi Fernando Balapitiya of Health Promotion Bureau delivered the special lecture on adolescent sanitation.

Further expressing her ideas, The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasooriya stated like this.

We believe that the sanitation is directly connected with education. Some people may think what is the connection between education and sanitation. Sanitation is a right of all and everybody needs it and according to the data it shows because of the lack of sanitary facilities in school properly specially the girl children in school with less facilities miss their education at least once a month. In the same way their right to move freely in the society is also limited. That is because of the lack of proper sanitary facilities. 

Not only you the girl students, all of us have suffered with these experiences to the maximum. Not only within the school, women face these difficulties even in common society due to lack of common facilities. 

Sanitation is very important. You may ask, as males what are the things we have to know here. This is a problem of females, so let them solve it themselves. But you also have sanitary problems. In the same way, if female children face some difficulty, the male faction also must have an understanding and empathy to be sensitive about it. 

Being a successful citizen does not mean only to do a better job. If somebody in the society remains with a difficulty, it is necessary to be sensitive about it. There must be an empathy in the sensitive matters of women. And also, if you have an understanding to live in the society as a citizen, then only you are successful.

Starting from this point, we do the sensitizing of sanitation at school level. Education means a very broad concept. The education must be able to create a next generation with the ability to heel everybody in the society and to provide a leadership which is beneficial for the community and the society. The education must contain mutual respect, help each other and all such things. Therefore, the sanitation is not a thing that can be limited to the health. Sanitation is not only just talking about menstruation circle. The government concerns the availability of sanitary facilities within the schools and in the common society as a fundamental right. Sanitation is not a thing necessary to hide.

For that purpose, The Minister said that the society must be upgraded to a position where there is mutual respect, social justice, equality, protection of each other, taking care of others and giving priority to the humanity more than this.

A gathering including the Additional Secretaries of the Ministry of Education, the officers of Family Health Bureau and Health Promotion Bureau, school children and teachers participated in this occasion.

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The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister planted a fruit sapling at the ‘Isurupaya’ Ministry premises today morning under the theme of ‘Let It Grow’.

At the World Environment Day celebration presided over by the Minister, the Prime Minister stated that the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has an indispensable pilot role to build a culture with positive attitude towards conservation of nature and environment in the journey towards the sustainable development goals of saving resources for future generations.

Also, the Minister further said that the global role of protecting the natural environment including green land for future generations by getting rid of the climate changes we are facing today based on the inseparable relationship with nature and the environment, was symbolically started today at the ministerial level under the name ‘Let it flow’.

In the future steps of the program, it is expected that everyone will deal with the environment and nature in a regular and sensitive manner in their daily life, and accordingly, we should act with the feeling that we are all a part of the environment by doing behaviors such as not turning on even a single light unnecessarily, not wasting even a sheet of paper, getting rid of the use of plastic polythene as much as possible and getting used to an environment-friendly lifestyle.

Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Madhura Seneviratne, Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluveva, Additional Secretary Wasantha Gunaratne and other officials participated in this event.

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Under the patronage of the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Madura Seneviratne, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, the staff of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education marked the beginning of the new year 2025 and administered the Public Service Pledge at the ‘Isurupaya’ premises this morning.

On this occasion, the ministry officials and staff also joined the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ program, which is being implemented based on a concept of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The staff’s attention was focused on four main objectives to create sustainability in the governance, social, environmental and economic sectors of the country as solutions for a sustainable future.

The great generosity shown in the fight against corruption and public accountability for it, without further tolerance, as well as environmental responsibility and social consciousness A clear understanding was provided here of the main objectives of creating a mindset, ensuring a clean and sustainable environment by optimizing the use of natural resources, and strengthening and streamlining the waste management system by improving infrastructure through public-private coordination.

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