Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the highest allocation for education in Sri Lanka’s history has been made in the 2026 budget, enabling the government to formulate policies, plans, and institutional structures needed for the sector. She emphasized, however, that financial allocations alone are insufficient without a strong institutional framework to support effective policy implementation.

Speaking in Parliament during the debate on the budget allocation for the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of sound educational policies. She said that a quality education system depends on the integration of well-designed policies, robust institutional structures, and adequate financial support. The prolonged failure to meet these three essential requirements, she noted, has contributed to the challenges currently facing the education sector. Despite this, the commitment of teachers, principals, and education officials has helped maintain overall quality.

Dr. Amarasuriya further noted that one of the key achievements in 2025 was the strengthening of decision-making processes within the sector by identifying institutions, addressing structural shortcomings, aligning them with policy frameworks, and ensuring that financial allocations matched policy priorities. These measures formed part of the preparatory work for major reforms scheduled to begin in 2026. She stressed that formulating policies must be accompanied by proper planning and clear targets for officials, pointing out that although successive governments introduced various education policies, significant curricular reforms failed due to weak planning, inadequate institutional structures and insufficient financial support.

The Prime Minister stated that the Ministry of Education focused its 2025 initiatives on four core areas: promoting equity, enhancing quality, strengthening governance, and formulating evidence-based policies through data-driven analysis. She expressed satisfaction that policies, plans, and institutional frameworks were developed around these four pillars. Referring to the report on the Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, she said past decision-making had deteriorated due to personal interests and political agendas overriding proper principles and policies, undermining university standards and causing injustice to students. Similar structural weaknesses had affected many institutions across the sector, she added, noting that the government took steps in 2025 to correct these shortcomings.

Dr. Amarasuriya said that Rs. 7.04 billion—equivalent to 2.04% of GDP—has been allocated for education in the current budget, the highest allocation in many years. She reiterated that the government does not claim it will reach the 6% of GDP benchmark within the first year, adding that achieving this target requires strong policies and strengthened institutions. Allocating funds alone, she said, is not enough; spending must be aligned with policy priorities and institutional capacity.

Additionally, Rs. 3,000 million has been allocated for education reforms, under which current initiatives are being implemented. The Prime Minister noted that the 2025 budget was passed at the end of April and expenditure commenced in May. Financial progress stood at 18% at the time, rising to 69% by December—an improvement in efficiency not previously seen in the education sector. She attributed this progress to clear targets for officials, close monitoring and strengthened accountability, and expressed confidence that even greater progress would be achieved in 2026 and 2027.

Acknowledging that challenges remain, Dr. Amarasuriya said the sector continues to advance while addressing longstanding weaknesses. She emphasized the need for further enhancement of efficiency and stressed the importance of taking prompt, effective action when issues arise in schools or universities. She underscored the importance of responsibility, systematic planning, strong policy formulation and steady, consistent progress.

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is expected to transfer Rs. 5 billion from its profits to the Consolidated Fund.

The SLPA has recorded a post-tax net profit of Rs. 39 billion as of October 31, 2025—an increase of approximately Rs. 12 billion compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation.

Out of this amount, Rs. 2 billion was already transferred to the Consolidated Fund in September 2025, while the remaining Rs. 3 billion is scheduled to be transferred in December 2025.

Sri Lanka expects significant benefits—including enhanced global visibility and a rise in foreign tourist arrivals—from co-hosting the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with India, the President’s Media Division (PMD) announced.

A high-level meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat to review preparations for the tournament, chaired by Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, with the participation of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials and representatives from key government agencies. The discussion focused on ensuring Sri Lanka meets the International Cricket Council’s hosting standards, covering stadium readiness, security measures and operational logistics.

Attention was also drawn to streamlining immigration and emigration processes for international spectators visiting the country and integrating national cleanliness and environmental management efforts under the Clean Sri Lanka initiative. Officials emphasised coordinated efforts among all relevant institutions to ensure the successful hosting of the event.

Sri Lanka is expected to host approximately 20 matches across three venues in Colombo and Pallekele. The tournament will take place from 7 February to 8 March 2026, with 20 international teams participating in what will be one of the largest editions of the T20 World Cup.

The meeting was attended by Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, Ministry of Education Director (Sports) Lt. Col. Anura Abeywickrama, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu, Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Bandula Dissanayake, Treasurer Sujeewa Godaliyadda and senior officers from the security forces.

The race to select the next Secretary-General of the United Nations formally began on Tuesday, as member states were invited to submit nominations to replace António Guterres when his term ends in 2026.

In a joint letter sent to all 193 member states, Security Council President and Sierra Leone’s UN Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu, together with UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock, outlined the profile sought for the world’s top diplomatic post: extensive experience in international relations, proven leadership in diplomacy, strong language skills, and the highest standards of integrity and competence.

“The position of Secretary-General is one of great importance,” the letter stated, requiring an unwavering commitment to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.

Push for a Woman Leader

For the first time in a selection process, UN leaders explicitly highlighted that no woman has ever held the position of Secretary-General, urging member states “to strongly consider nominating women.”

Several female candidates are already being discussed informally, including:

• Michelle Bachelet – Former President of Chile and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
• Rebeca Grynspan – Costa Rican diplomat and current head of UNCTAD

Also mentioned as a potential contender is Rafael Grossi, the Argentinian Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

How the Process Works

Candidates must be nominated by a UN member state or a group of states. They will need to submit:

• A vision statement outlining priorities for the UN
• A declaration of financial support sources

The UN may also repeat the public, town hall–style interviews introduced during the 2016 selection process, which brought unprecedented transparency to the process that eventually led to Guterres’ selection.

Regional Rotation Tradition

There is an informal tradition of geographic rotation among regions. While it is not binding, many observers note that it is Latin America and the Caribbean’s turn, a factor reflected in early speculation about possible candidates.

The UN letter alludes to this practice, underscoring the “importance of regional diversity,” though it stops short of designating any specific region.

Security Council Will Have Final Say

The Security Council will start its formal deliberations by the end of July 2026. As in every selection, the five permanent members — the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France — each hold veto power, giving them decisive influence over the final outcome.

Once the Council recommends a candidate, the General Assembly will vote to appoint the next Secretary-General to a five-year term beginning January 1, 2027, renewable once.