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Opposition to move no-faith motion against PM Amarasuriya

Published

5 months ago

2026/01/8

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

The Opposition yesterday (07) began collecting signatures for a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, over the inclusion of a link to an adult content website, in the Grade 06 English language textbook.

The signing of the no-faith motion commenced at the Opposition Leader’s Office at the Parliamentary complex with Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, placing the first signature on the motion.

Party sources said that key opposition parties, including the SJB, had reached a consensus to proceed with the initiative and were planning to submit the motion to the Speaker within the week.

Opposition MPs argue that the inclusion of an inappropriate web link in the Grade 6 English module, along with broader shortcomings in the education reform process, formed the basis of the no-confidence motion. Premadasa has described the incident as a violation of children’s rights, warning that it reflected serious lapses in oversight and accountability.

Addressing Parliament amidst the growing criticism, Dr. Amarasuriya said the disputed Grade 6 English module had not reached schoolchildren and its distribution had been halted immediately after the error was detected. She said an investigation had been launched without delay to determine how the mistake occurred, at what stage it was introduced, and who was responsible.

The Prime Minister assured the House that disciplinary or legal action would follow once accountability was clearly established. She said the National Education Commission operated under its own regulatory framework and that the inquiry was being conducted in accordance with procedures laid down by the relevant council appointed to examine the matter.

“Our intention is not to hide facts, but to understand why this happened and to ensure it does not happen again,” she said, stressing the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the education sector.

Dr. Amarasuriya said Grade 6 students are scheduled to receive their learning modules on January 21, while textbooks for Grade 1 students were due to be distributed by January 29. She noted that authorities were working to complete all revisions and approvals before those dates so that students receive only properly vetted materials.

The Prime Minister urged the public not to judge the entire reform programme based on a single incident, arguing that education reforms should be assessed on their long-term goals rather than isolated mistakes. “This incident should not be used to undermine education reforms,” she said, adding that student welfare remains the government’s top priority.

She also told Parliament that the controversial lesson had been formally removed following a recommendation by the academic advisory board of the National Institute of Education (NIE).

She said that the activity highlighted in the Grade 6 English module was a reading comprehension exercise involving hypothetical characters and did not require students to provide personal information. “It is simply a reading task, not a data collection exercise,” she said.

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USS Canberra makes port call in Colombo

Published

7 hours ago

2026/06/12

Priyan

The United States Navy’s USS Canberra (LCS 30) arrived at the port of Colombo for replenishment purposes on 12 Jun 26.

The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy
in compliance of naval traditions.

USS Canberra, a Littoral Combat Ship, is commanded by Commander J McLaughlin.

News

Complete the Proposed Education Reform Policy Framework Within One Month – President

Published

9 hours ago

2026/06/12

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to complete work on the proposed Education Reform Policy Framework within one month.

The President issued these instructions during a discussion held on Wednesday (10 June) at the Presidential Secretariat on the education policy concept paper presented by the National Education Commission.

At the meeting, the Chairman of the National Education Commission stated that the current education reforms are being undertaken across several pillars: early childhood education, general education (primary, secondary and tertiary), higher education, vocational education, technological education, digital education and non-formal education.

Attention was also given to Sri Lanka’s education system to date, the various education reforms implemented over the years, and the social changes brought about by those reforms. The President instructed officials to review previous education reforms and to take into account the key lessons emerging from them when formulating the new education policy framework.

Members of the Education Commission noted that, since the establishment of the National Education Commission in 1991, education policies have been formulated from time to time. They pointed out that a significant portion of the 1997 policy had been applied to primary education.

It was further observed that although a policy was formulated in 2016 for general education, it was not implemented accordingly. Likewise, while an education policy was prepared in 2023, it was not adopted as the national education policy. Attention was also drawn to the fact that previous education reform efforts had often been based on programmes developed according to the functions of education-related institutions, rather than on a clearly established policy framework guiding educational change.

Describing the present moment as a significant opportunity, the President emphasised that education reforms should be implemented in a manner that does not disrupt the continuity of the existing education process. Rather than creating a separate policy framework and attempting to operate independently through it, reforms should be integrated carefully into the functioning education system.

The President stated that this represents a considerable challenge for the National Education Commission. He also noted that it would be inaccurate to conclude that either the previous education system or the current one is entirely successful or entirely unsuccessful.

He stressed the importance of carefully identifying both the strengths and weaknesses of the existing system. He further observed that it is not possible to determine in the short term whether an education reform is successful or unsuccessful, as its impact must be assessed over the long term through the changes it brings about in society. For this reason, he emphasised that education reforms require greater caution and consideration than many other types of reforms.

Discussions also focused on the need to conduct an in-depth review of anticipated future social challenges and to incorporate into the new policy framework the elements necessary for developing citizens suited to a changing society.

Special attention was given to the need for a policy framework to regulate all sectors of education that are currently not subject to proper regulation, as well as to the adverse consequences arising from the lack of regulation of private education.

The importance of conducting research into university education reform and the regulation of private universities was also discussed.

Among those present were Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Madhura Seneviratne, Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, Chairman of the National Education Commission Professor A. Sarath Ananda, and other members of the National Education Commission.

(PMD)

Business

Committee appointed for restructuring SriLankan Airlines

Published

9 hours ago

2026/06/12

Priyan

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of a Committee, chaired by Senior Presidential Advisor on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, to conduct a strategic review and restructuring of SriLankan Airlines.

The other members of the committee are as follows:

• Senior Presidential Economic Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa

• Financial and corporate strategy expert Deshal De Mel

• Transaction and investment banking, mergers and acquisitions expert Dumith Fernando

• The Secretary to the Ministry of Finance or his Representative

• The Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development / a representative of the Civil Aviation Authority

• The Chairman of SriLankan Airlines

• Legal experts with specialised knowledge in corporate, aviation and public law

• Aviation industry experts to be appointed

The Government has recognised the urgent priority of undertaking a comprehensive strategic review of SriLankan Airlines, taking into account the broader macroeconomic context.

The main objective of this exercise is to establish a financially sustainable and commercially efficient national carrier, while reducing the long-term fiscal burden on the Government.

Accordingly, it has been deemed appropriate to establish a dedicated committee to carry out the strategic review and restructuring process in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which is serving as the Transaction Advisor.

The committee will be responsible for:

• Conducting an independent review and assessment of the airline’s strategic direction and future course of action

• Recommending restructuring requirements and possible restructuring models

• Evaluating specific strategic options and identifying the most suitable course of action aligned with the Government’s overall objectives

• Providing oversight, guidance and support for the implementation of the selected strategy and execution framework determined by the Government

The committee will function for the duration of the strategic review and restructuring process, or until it is formally dissolved by the Government of Sri Lanka.

(PMD)