News
New education reforms for grade one officially launched
Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the new education reforms lay the essential foundation for nurturing a future generation enriched by values and compassion, and that the Government has undertaken the responsibility of providing every child with a quality education in a prosperous country.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the national programme to implement the new education reforms for Grade One in 2026, held on Thursday (29) at the WP/ Jaya / Gunasekara Primary School in Athurugiriya.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister planted a sapling together with students on the school premises and inspected the modernized Grade One classrooms developed under the new education reforms, engaging in friendly conversation with the students.
In parallel with the implementation of the new education reforms, and to symbolically mark the admission of students to Grade One across the island, the Prime Minister entered students’ names into the school admission register at the Gunasekara Primary School, Athurugiriya. Subsequently, school uniforms and text books were distributed to the students.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:
Reducing the weight of school bags and creating a pressure-free learning environment so that children come to school with joy is a remarkable feature of these new education reforms. We are committed to turning the ’Dream School’ concept, which is aimed at creating a pleasant school environment into a reality. Further, plans are currently being underway to implement the education reforms that could not be implemented for Grade Six students in 2026 in the future.
Under the new reforms, building a foundation for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), engaging in environment-related activities based on scientific principles, and strengthening the teaching of English and the second language form the core of primary education. For decades, the country followed a competitive education model limited largely to textbook-based knowledge. As this system has contributed to children becoming disengaged from education, the Prime Minister emphasized that it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure every child’s right to education.
The Government is working to establish a student-centred education system instead of a teacher-centred one. Accordingly, this education reform can be described not merely as a curriculum change, but as a transformational change across the entire education system.
Within this transformative process, special attention has been given to protecting children’s mental freedom, with the primary objective of nurturing balanced future citizens. Plans have also been developed through these reforms to safeguard the professionalism of teachers and to further enhance their capacities.
We will never allow a child’s education to be determined by their parents’ financial capacity. We confidently declare that, as a Government, we have undertaken the responsibility of safeguarding your child’s future.
The event was graced by the presence of members of the Maha Sangha and leaders of all religions, and attended by the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Member of Parliament Asitha Niroshan, Mayor of Kaduwela Ranjan Jayalal, Secretary to the Ministry Nalaka Kaluwewa, Principal of Athurugiriya Gunasekara Primary School Nadika Dharmadasa, along with other officials and parents.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Colombo Central Bus Stand, which has a history of over six decades and had remained without a proper maintenance for many years, has now been renovated under the current government’s development programme and vested to the public. Following that, the Prime Minister undertook an inspection tour of the newly renovated Colombo Central Bus Stand.
Originally constructed in 1964, the bus stand was refurbished with modern facilities to meet current needs and was officially reopened to the public on April 8. The primary objective of this initiative is to provide passengers with a higher-quality and more comfortable transportation service.
During the renovation process, special attention has been given to the comfort and safety of women, which was commended by the Prime Minister. In particular, a modern rest area designed to ensure privacy for nursing mothers travelling from distant areas received special praise.
The Prime Minister also reviewed the newly introduced passenger seat reservation system and information services established to assist commuters. In addition, the modern surveillance unit and other security measures installed within the premises to ensure passenger safety were also inspected.
During the visit, the Prime Minister engaged in conversations with passengers at the bus stand and inquired about their views on the newly renovated facilities and the quality of transport services.
It was emphasized that the government’s objective is to transform public transportation into a safe, technologically advanced service that can be used with convenience by all citizens.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Nagawilluwa, Galgamuwa, Sigiriya, Palugasdamana and Mankerni about 12:11 noon today (10)
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from the 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (10th) are Nagawilluwa, Galgamuwa, Sigiriya, Palugasdamana and Mankerni about 12:11 noon.
No-faith motion to be taken up today
Former Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (9) said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should remove Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody unless the minister stepped down on his own.Prof. Peiris, addressing a press conference called by the Opposition, said that Jayakody couldn’t under any circumstance continue to serve as a minister after the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) moved the Colombo High Court against the government member over a previous financial scandal.
Pointing out that Minister Jayakody had been indicted of a corrupt deal struck during the yahapalana regime, Prof. Peiris said it was wrong for the NPP to retain him as a minister, claiming that the offence was not committed during his tenure as a Cabinet minister in the current government.
Prof. Peiris and several other Opposition members dealt with the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against Jayakody that would be taken up today (10) with the academic calling the vote an acid test for the NPP. Having campaigned on an anti-corruption platform at presidential and parliamentary polls, the NPP couldn’t protect Jayakody though he was widely believed to be close to President Dissanayake.
As the Manager of the Procurement and Import Division of the Ceylon Fertilizer Company, Jayakody is alleged to have committed the offence of corruption, according to CIABOC.
Jayakody has been accused of causing a loss of Rs. 8,859,708 to the State by influencing and exploiting the procurement process.
Following the serving of indictments on 27 March, the judge ordered Jayakody’s release on two personal bail bonds of Rs. 1 million each. The court directed that the defendant’s fingerprints be obtained and a formal report be submitted. The case has been scheduled for a pre-trial conference on 6 May.
Prof. Peiris stressed that the CIABOC action against Jayakody is central to the NCM primarily moved over the irregularities ridden coal procurement process launched in 2025 that caused severe disruption to the power generation. Responding to The Island query after the media briefing, Prof Peiris expressed surprise that the JVP/NPP accommodated a person under investigation by the CIABOC. Having taken an utterly irresponsible decision, the JVP/NPP were now playing down the developing issue, prof. Peiris said.
The entire government parliamentary group faced the prospect of having its image tarnished by defending Jayakody, the former lawmaker said.
Prof. Peiris said that they intended to build a campaign around the issues involving the energy minister to expose the government. With yet another electricity tariff hike in the offing due to the growing demand for thermal generation as a result of coal-fired Lakvijaya power plant’s failure to meet the requirement[RA1] , the energy minister and ministry’s performances have to be examined, Prof. Peiris said.The timely release of the Auditor General’s report on controversial coal procurement should compel the government to decide on the energy minister’s fate or be prepared to face the fallout.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
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Sun directly overhead Nagawilluwa, Galgamuwa, Sigiriya, Palugasdamana and Mankerni about 12:11 noon today (10)
Showers expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Uva provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 2.00 p.m
Opposition tells Minister Kumara Jayakody to resign
Coal tender scandal: FSP to move court against illegal deals
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