January 18, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has given firm assurances that the government’s education overhaul will move forward without delay, insisting that there has been no retreat from the commitment to modernise the country’s school system.
Speaking at a meeting with education officials and school heads in the Puttalam education zone on Saturday (17), she said the reform agenda already set in motion would be carried through in full, despite criticism from a small section opposed to change.
Dr Amarasuriya described the reforms as a sustained, long-term undertaking rather than a short-term project, noting that steady progress is being made to upgrade school facilities, strengthen staffing through the recruitment of teachers and principals, and expand the use of digital learning tools.
She underlined the importance of cooperation and trust between the state and education professionals, arguing that resistance driven by narrow interests should not derail a process that is central to the country’s future. According to the Prime Minister, the success of the reforms will directly influence the quality of education received by children and, in turn, Sri Lanka’s long-term development.
The Prime Minister also confirmed that dedicated funding has been secured for a series of special programmes under the education transformation drive. As an early step, she said a group of selected secondary schools will receive enhanced digital learning facilities within the next two months, including improved infrastructure, interactive display systems and reliable internet access.
