April 24, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe issued a stark warning against the politicization of education, emphasizing its detrimental effects on the nation’s future. Speaking at the 10th Biennial Conference of the All Island Professional Lecturers’ Association (APLA) held at the Nelum Pokuna Theater in Colombo, President Wickremesinghe urged all stakeholders to prioritize national interest over personal agendas in shaping the country’s education system.
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, President Wickremesinghe called for concerted efforts from all parties to devise a comprehensive education reform plan within the next two to three years. He stressed the need for inclusive discussions, free from personal biases, to ensure the development of an effective education framework that caters to the needs of the nation.
The APLA, established in 2004 by a coalition of tuition teachers nationwide, hosted the conference. During the event, President Wickremesinghe honored Dr. K. Ariyasinghe, a founding member of APLA, and other senior teachers with the Senior Lecturers Award, recognizing their contributions to the field of education.
In a gesture of appreciation, Mr. Ravindra Bandara, President of the Association, presented President Wickremesinghe with a commemorative gift. The President then joined the executive committee members of APLA for a group photograph, underscoring the spirit of collaboration between the government and education stakeholders.
President Wickremesinghe assured attendees that the government’s forthcoming education reforms would not be confined to education experts alone but would actively involve input from school teachers, professionals in the economic sector, and organizations like APLA. Emphasizing the importance of inclusive dialogue, he reiterated his commitment to fostering a conducive environment for meaningful reforms in the education sector.
