December 04, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has clarified that no content relating to Tamil history or artistic heritage has been removed from the school syllabuses for History and Art.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, PM Amarasuriya emphasised that the History curriculum is taught as a unified subject covering Sri Lankan history, rather than separating Sinhala and Tamil narratives. The syllabus includes material on Tamil kings and kingdoms, with Grade 10 Lesson 7 featuring dedicated content on Tamil rulers, and Lesson 10 covering the Jaffna Kingdom, including the era of King Cankili. Revisions to the Grade 6 History curriculum are also underway, incorporating illustrations of the Cankili Kingdom to ensure a comprehensive representation of Tamil heritage.
The Prime Minister also addressed concerns regarding examination centres on Eluvaitivu Island in the Jaffna District. She noted that due to the small number of students—10 in 2022, 8 in 2023, and 5 in 2024—these schools have not functioned as O/L examination centres since 1999. Students are instead accommodated at the nearest available centre at St. Anthony’s College in Kayts, with transport support provided.
Regarding Art education, PM Amarasuriya explained that the subject emphasises both practical activities and the study of significant artworks. The curriculum has been updated to align with international standards, highlighting multicultural, multi-religious, and globally recognised artistic contributions.
The Prime Minister also highlighted efforts by the Department of National Museums to preserve and showcase Tamil heritage. The Stone Antiquities Gallery at the Colombo National Museum houses four Tamil copper plate inscriptions and two Tamil stone inscriptions linked to the Indian emperors Rajaraja and Rajendra, as well as Aryachakravarti rulers. Artifacts on display include Hindu sculptures of Shiva, Parvati, Nataraja, and Sundaramurthi, alongside Setu coins from the Jaffna Kingdom. Publications on these collections, authored by scholars such as Prof S. Pathmanathan, Dr Krishnamurthy, and Senarath Wickramasinghe, are available through the museum’s Publications Division.
PM Amarasuriya concluded that both History and Art syllabuses continue to reflect Sri Lanka’s diverse cultural heritage, ensuring Tamil history and artistic achievements remain fully represented within the national curriculum.
