Business

Reopening schools in the New Normal: Key focus areas for Sri Lanka

Published

5 years ago

2021/11/19

The decision to gradually reopen Sri Lankan schools – which have been shut for close to 20 months since COVID-19 first struck – is a welcome move. As of September 2021, 93% of countries had reopened schools either completely or partially, making Sri Lanka one of the last to do so. Previous IPS blogs have pointed to multiple access and quality issues facing the country’s distance education efforts, calling for the establishment of a comprehensive education recovery strategy for the future. The accompanying decision to devote the next six months from November 2021-April 2022 to recovering learning losses, giving precedence to essential syllabus areas and decision-making flexibility to schools, is encouraging news, in this context. This blog provides some insights into the current education recovery practices being adopted globally and draws attention to some important areas that can be incorporated into the current strategies being devised in Sri Lanka.

Monitoring and Preventing School Dropouts

According to a joint UNESCO-UNICEF-World Bank Survey of 143 countries conducted between February – June 2021, only half, and less than a third, of developed and developing countries, respectively, reported that all primary and secondary students returned to schools when reopened. Common methods used to identify and prevent dropouts include school-based tracking mechanisms, financial incentives (cash, food, or transport), waived fees, community engagement programmes, and revised access policies. Brazil’s School Active Search system, for example, brings together local government agencies in education, health, social assistance and planning, to identify, register, and monitor out-of-school children and those at risk of dropping out.

Measuring Learning Losses

Measuring learning loss is an essential first step in mitigating its consequences. According to the joint survey, 58% of countries reported having conducted formative assessments to measure learning loss, while only one-third relied on standardised assessments. Existing research also points to the relative importance of formative assessments to estimate learning losses, as opposed to standardised testing which is more effective in the long-term. Formative assessments are geared towards informing in-process teaching and learning modifications, and include tools such as quizzes, journal entries, essays, and works of art. The focus is largely on remediation interventions and/or re-teaching content from the previous year, foundational skills, and adapting instruction to the level of each student.

Adjusting and Prioritising Curricula

To help students catch up once they return to school, 42% of countries surveyed reported prioritisation of certain areas of the curriculum or certain skills. The most likely areas or skills to be targetted include foundational skills in numeracy, literacy, and socio-emotional resilience. In terms of specific country examples, in Odisha State, India, the Central Board of Secondary Education has reduced the syllabi by 30%, to allow students to focus on a few subjects and learn these well. Bangladesh’s education recovery programme includes a condensed syllabus for the next two years, focussing on important subjects such as mathematics, Bengali, English, and science.

High-Stake Examinations

According to the joint survey, countries introduced several changes to exams, such as adjusting content, changing the number of subjects examined or questions asked, and mode of administration. Cancellation of examinations were limited to high- and upper-middle income countries, ranging from a share of 30% in primary grades to 18% in upper secondary education.

Immediate Focus Areas for Sri Lanka

Although somewhat late, it is encouraging to note that some of these worldwide practices are currently being considered in Sri Lanka too. Along with more concrete details and clearer strategies for implementation, Sri Lanka’s education authorities should focus on the following to minimise further learning loss and safeguard student welfare:

Ensure all children return to school

While boasting commendable enrolment rates at the primary and lower secondary levels, student dropouts at higher education levels is a longstanding problem in Sri Lanka. Post-pandemic dropout rates are likely to be considerably higher, particularly in remote and marginalised areas. It is thus essential that immediate data collection and monitoring is undertaken to initiate action and bring back all students to schools. The country’s well-established decentralised education administration system can facilitate coordination among zonal and divisional education authorities and Grama Niladhari divisions to collect data and work closely with parents and communities, in this regard.

Provide general guidance on curricula adjustments and measuring learning losses, while maintaining flexibility

The intention to focus on revised curricula targets over the next few months and to provide principals and teachers with flexibility in deciding how to cover curricula are welcome moves, given the multiple social, economic, and emotional impacts undergone by children during the pandemic, to significantly varying degrees. Such adjustments, however, need to be based on the extent and nature of learning losses experienced by students, for which conducing formative assessments is key. It is thus best that this flexibility is balanced with some general guidance on essential learning competencies for students around which curricula adjustments can be made, and benchmark diagnostic tests and guidance for teachers to assess student learning, especially in switching from formal to formative type of assessments.

The Ministry of Education should conduct careful evaluations on the timing of and the content to be tested at highly competitive national examinations and establish a new examination policy which is clearly communicated to teachers and students, leaving no room for ad-hoc changes. For instance, given the directive to focus on priority areas of the curricula in the next six-month period, the examinations should also be adapted accordingly. Some options include limiting the grade five scholarship examination to an intelligence test, replacing examinations from grades six to nine with diagnostic tests, and limiting the G.C.E. O-Levels to core subjects.

Link to blog: https://www.ips.lk/talkingeconomics/2021/11/10/reopening-schools-in-the-new-normal-key-focus-areas-for-sri-lanka/

Ashani Abayasekara is a Research Economist at the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) with research interests in labour economics, economics of education, development economics, and microeconometrics. She holds a BA in Economics with First Class Honours from the University of Peradeniya and a Masters in International and Development Economics from the Australian National University. (Talk with Ashani – ashani@ips.lk).

Usha is a Research Assistant currently working on Health, Labour and Education Policy at IPS. She holds a BA in Economics with First Class Honours from the University of Colombo. (Talk with Usha – usha@ips.lk).

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Business

Saudi Arabia deepens investment in Sri Lanka with USD 50 mn medical faculty

Published

18 hours ago

2026/07/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dignitaries at the launching of the new medical faculty.

Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Sri Lanka’s economic and social development with the inauguration of the USD 50 million Faculty of Medicine at Sabaragamuwa University, a flagship investment expected to strengthen higher education, healthcare capacity and human capital while reinforcing the growing bilateral partnership between the two countries.

The project, financed by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), was inaugurated on Saturday in the presence of Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education Harini Amarasuriya, Saudi Ambassador to Sri Lanka Khalid Hamoud Al Kahtani, SFD Deputy Chief Executive Officer Eng. Faisal Al-Kahtani, senior government officials and representatives of both countries.

Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya described the project as another milestone in the enduring partnership between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia, expressing appreciation for the Saudi Fund for Development’s continued support in expanding higher education and creating opportunities for future generations of Sri Lankan students.

The premier said the new Faculty of Medicine would help address the country’s growing demand for qualified medical professionals while strengthening the national healthcare system.

Ambassador Khalid Hamoud Al Kahtani said the inauguration reflected the “strong and enduring partnership” between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka and underscored the two nations’ shared commitment to education, healthcare and sustainable development.

The Ambassador added:”This achievement stands as a testament to our shared commitment to advancing education, healthcare and sustainable development.”

The Ambassador paid tribute to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Mohammed bin Salman for their vision and continued support for international development initiatives that foster economic cooperation and sustainable growth across partner countries.

He also commended the Saudi Fund for Development for financing and implementing the project, describing the Faculty as an investment in human capital, knowledge and Sri Lanka’s future healthcare workforce.

“We are confident that this new Faculty will play a vital role in educating future generations of medical professionals, serving the people of Sri Lanka and further strengthening the close friendship and cooperation between our two countries,” the Ambassador said.

SFD Deputy CEO Eng. Faisal Al-Kahtani said the project represented far more than a new academic institution.

“It is an investment in people, knowledge and opportunity. For more than four decades, the Saudi Fund for Development has partnered Sri Lanka in projects that improve lives and support sustainable economic and social development,” he said.

The state-of-the-art Faculty of Medicine features modern laboratories, para-clinical teaching facilities and a comprehensive library, significantly expanding Sri Lanka’s medical education infrastructure.

Since 1981, the Saudi Fund for Development has provided approximately USD 422.7 million through 15 development loans supporting 12 major projects in education, healthcare, water supply, transport and energy, making Saudi Arabia one of Sri Lanka’s key development partners in long-term infrastructure and human resource development.

By Ifham Nizam

Business

Arpico Insurance welcomes finance professional Naresh Tillekeratne to Board

Published

18 hours ago

2026/07/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Arpico Insurance PLC, a renowned life insurance provider and a subsidiary of the blue-chip conglomerate Richard Pieris & Company PLC, has announced the appointment of Naresh Tillekeratne to its Board of Directors. This move further reinforces the Company’s commitment to operational excellence and stakeholder value as it embarks on its next phase of growth.

With a career spanning over 35 years in International Banking and Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs), Tillekeratne brings deep expertise in enterprise risk management, compliance, and corporate structuring. With over 15 years in C-level and senior management roles across Sri Lanka and the Middle East, he has forged a reputation for driving bottom-line efficiency and structural transformation.

Commenting on the appointment, Ramal Jasinghe, Chairman of Arpico Insurance PLC, stated “We are pleased to welcome Naresh Tillekeratne to our Board. He is a respected figure in the financial services landscape, recognised for his risk-management acumen and strategic foresight. As Arpico Insurance continues to scale and navigate complex and ever-evolving business and governance environments, his extensive cross-border experience will be invaluable in safeguarding stakeholder value and steering our sustainable growth trajectory.”

Prior to joining the board at Arpico Insurance PLC, Tillekeratne served as Chief Executive Officer of Assetline Finance PLC (previously Assetline Leasing Company Ltd), following a tenure as General Manager – Credit & Operations at AMW Capital Leasing and Finance PLC.

Jayalal Hewawasam, CEO of Arpico Insurance PLC, added “We are entering a dynamic phase of innovation and growth at Arpico Insurance, and strong corporate governance remains at the very heart of that journey. We are delighted to welcome Naresh Tillekeratne to our Board of Directors and the Company Management looks forward to working with him, and to harness his expertise in supporting our growth trajectory. We are confident that his proficiency in international banking, coupled with his acumen in enterprise risk management, will add tremendous depth to our leadership structure.”

Tillekeratne’s international exposure includes C-level responsibility at the Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (UAE), where he engineered the restructuring of credit approval mechanisms and documentation controls to maximize portfolio returns. Prior to that, he completed a distinguished tenure spanning over two decades at Citibank NA Middle East, ascending to the level of Senior Vice President and Regional Head of Credit Risk Management for the Middle East, Egypt, and Pakistan. During his time with Citibank, he was also a key member of the specialized projects team tasked with advising and structuring financing for iconic state-backed development projects across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, and Bahrain.

Speaking on his new role, Tillekeratne noted “It is a privilege to join the Board of Arpico Insurance PLC, an institution anchored by the enduring 90-year legacy of the Richard Pieris Group. My primary focus will be to enhance our risk-governance architectures to ensure we meet our promises to policyholders while driving growth and innovation. I look forward to collaborating with the Board and the Senior Management to drive our strategic evolution with absolute integrity.”

Business

EFC new Chair reaffirms commitment to national employment policies and responsible business initiatives

Published

18 hours ago

2026/07/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sanath Manatunge (Chairman) and Dinal Peiris (Vice Chairman)

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) recently concluded its 97th Annual General Meeting at the BMICH. At this general meeting, the Board of Trustees and Council Members representing different employer groups were appointed for the financial year 2026/27.

The outgoing Chairman, Dinesh Weerakkody expressed his appreciation to the Council, Members and the EFC Secretariat for the invaluable support extended to him throughout his tenure. Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC was appointed as the new EFC Chairman while Dinal Peiris, Chairman and Managing Director of the Lanka Aluminium Industries PLC Group was appointed as the Vice Chairman.

In his inaugural address, the new Chairman, while underlining the significance of the Federation, stated that, as the National Employers’ Organisation, the EFC will continue to contribute to labour law reforms that support future-ready businesses while driving responsible business initiatives. Manatunge who counts 36 years of experience having held very senior positions in the financial sector, presently serves on the Boards of Commercial Development Company PLC, and Commercial Bank of Maldives (Pvt) Ltd. as the Deputy Chairman. He is also the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Banks’ Association. Following his appointment as the new EFC Chair, the senior professional further emphasised the importance of engaging with the tripartite stakeholders to collaboratively advance shared objectives and strengthen Sri Lanka’s employment landscape.

Manatunge also represents key industry interests as a Member of the UNICEF Business Council, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, and the World Bank Group’s Private Sector Advisory Council. His regulatory and advisory contributions include serving as an Ex-Officio Member of the Stakeholder Engagement Committee of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, as well as a Member of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) for the Central Bank’s Fraud Risk Management (FRM) System.