Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said Sri Lanka’s education system has fallen into a “tragic condition,” warning that the crisis extends far beyond the anticipated failure of the Grade 6 syllabus in 2026.
He made these remarks yesterday at the Opposition Leader’s Office during the launch of the “Common Platform to Protect Free Education.”
Premadasa said that while public debate has largely centred on the Grade 6 syllabus controversy, the challenges confronting the sector are far more deep-rooted and affect the entire education system, including schools, universities and other tertiary education institutions.
He noted that the current crisis did not arise overnight as a result of recent policy decisions, but has evolved over time due to reforms being introduced without adequate consultation, dialogue or a participatory process involving key stakeholders.
The Opposition Leader stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive and sincere focus on education, calling for political agendas to be set aside. He said the rights of more than 4.1 million schoolchildren must be protected, including their entitlement to free school and university education.
Premadasa warned that Sri Lanka must ensure education remains free, open and of high quality, cautioning that failure to do so would have long-term consequences for the country’s future.
