June 24, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya departed for Canada in the early hours of Monday to attend a major international education forum, where she will represent the South Asian region on the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL).
The summit, set to take place from June 24 to 26 in Vancouver, brings together key policymakers, educational leaders, and development experts from across the Commonwealth.
Dr Amarasuriya, who also oversees the portfolios of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training, is expected to play a central role in shaping regional contributions to the discussions.
The event will concentrate on broadening access to quality education through innovation and collaboration, with a particular emphasis on empowering women and children, enhancing teacher training, and encouraging lifelong learning models that meet the needs of modern economies, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The programme will also feature sessions focused on advancing the use of digital technologies in classrooms and institutions, improving monitoring and evaluation systems in education sectors, and exploring strategies to foster gender equality in both formal and informal learning environments.
The Board of Governors gathering, which occurs annually, serves as a strategic platform for evaluating ongoing initiatives under the COL’s mandate, while also identifying emerging trends and needs across member nations. Discussions are expected to address how countries can better align educational systems with the demands of the digital age, promote inclusivity, and strengthen resilience in the face of global challenges.
Dr Amarasuriya is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with other Commonwealth education leaders during her visit, with the aim of building stronger international partnerships and sharing successful policy frameworks and innovations implemented in Sri Lanka’s own education reforms.
