June 07, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has opened a nationwide consultation aimed at gathering public input for a new policy framework intended to guide the future direction of higher education in Sri Lanka.
The initiative forms part of a broader effort to modernise the country’s tertiary education sector and ensure that future policies reflect the needs of students, academics, employers and the wider community. The process is being overseen by Prime Minister and Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya, with technical support from a panel of specialists tasked with preparing the proposed framework.
Officials noted that preliminary consultations have already taken place with universities, educational institutions, professional bodies and other key stakeholders. These discussions focused on identifying existing challenges within the sector and exploring reforms that could improve quality, accessibility and relevance in higher education.
To widen participation beyond institutional representatives, the Ministry has now launched an online survey, enabling members of the public to submit their views and recommendations directly. The feedback collected is expected to play a role in shaping policy priorities and long-term strategic goals for the sector.
The questionnaire has been made available through the Higher Education Division’s official website, allowing students, parents, educators, researchers and interested citizens to contribute to the process.
The Ministry stated that broad public engagement is essential in developing a forward-looking national higher education policy capable of responding to evolving social, economic and technological demands. Authorities have encouraged as many people as possible to take part, stressing that diverse perspectives will help create a more inclusive and effective framework for future generations.
