Business
ChildFund Sri Lanka promotes active teaching and learning approaches
Helping students gain a strong foundation during their primary schooling, ChildFund Sri Lanka (CFSL) adapted a concept by International Literacy Association (ILA). The concept of ‘Active Teaching and Learning Approaches in Schools’ (ATLAS) for primary school children were developed and tested in different contexts. The proven concept was further funded by ChildFund Sri Lanka to be tested in central province through T-Field Child development Federation in collaboration with Education Authorities of Central province in the selected schools. The program which began five years ago has to-date benefited 1,520 schools and 10,109 teachers.
Prior to the program launch, research conducted by authorities showed lower educational competencies, impacting students’ interest in school.
To overcomes these challenges, ChildFund conducted a joint-pilot project with T-Field, a non-profit organization working in Central Province, for the development of marginalized tea estate workers’ communities. A model by ILA, an international organization dedicated to promoting high levels of literacy, was adapted. ILA was also engaged in all stages from the initial assessment to curricular development and training of teachers to ensure programme standards were met.
In the pilot intervention, findings revealed that most lessons conducted were traditional, lecture-type sessions, resulting in low interest and less engagement in studies among children. As Sri Lanka’s policy direction moves towards quality education that is student friendly and contributing to a knowledge economy, a reform of the education is essential to provide more child-friendly learning environments where children acquire a range of competencies.
To improve the quality of education, the ATLAS model, pioneered by ILA, funded by ChildFund New Zealand was implemented together with Ministry of Education, to support facilitating classroom activity sessions enhancing analytical, numeracy and literacy skills, confidence, resilience and leadership building.
The success of the pilot project proven through the positive scholarship examination results paved the way for the provincial authorities to adopt the ATLAS model as a teaching delivery method at primary schools in the Central Province.
Thereafter, a customized ATLAS module was developed for the Central Province. ILA and National Institute of Education provided technical assistance to adapt the model with the Provincial Education department to ensure the approach was adopted by all the primary schools in the Central province. The pilot project was launched among 27 schools and 135 teachers in Nuwara Eliya and 12 schools and 60 teachers in Matale.
“By adopting the ATLAS teaching and learning methods, we were able to improve the grade 5 Scholarship exam results in Nuwara Eliya education zone. Compared to 2019, there was 15% improvement in scholarship exam results in 2020, and we believe that adopting the ATLAS method has greatly contributed towards this achievement. We are very pleased that we were able to introduce an effective teaching and learning approach such as ATLAS to central province with the technical and financial support of ChildFund and T-Field Child Development Federation greatly”, stated M.G.A Piyadasa, Provincial Director, Department of Education, Central Province. ATLAS model aligns with policies and the strategic direction of the Government of Sri Lanka and Provincial Education Authorities.
The official event to signify the official adaptation of the ATLAS module by the Department of Education, Central Province was held end last year.
ChildFund Sri Lanka’s Senior Program Manager, Thilakaratne Karunaratne said, “ChildFund Sri Lanka has over the years focused on education program efforts by expanding and improving school infrastructure, facilitating access to school, and supporting capacity building in communities. Supporting T-Field in implementing the ATLAS approach to Central Provincial schools, we were able to provide teachers the opportunity to participate in teacher training sessions and to receive classroom coaching in an ongoing effort to implement best classroom practices. We are pleased to note that the ATLAS approach has now been adopted by the Central Province while the accompanying strategies and approaches will be useful in improving the quality of primary education throughout Sri Lanka.”
ChildFund Sri Lanka understands that intervention which promote successful early learning and skills acquisition help children grow and develop as useful and productive citizens in their communities are also linked to a country’s economic growth. The successful adoption of the ATLAS module among school children demonstrates how implementing strong educational platforms can contribute to these outcomes.
Business
SIA warns of 1,000 SME collapses, urges fair policies to protect Sri Lanka’s rooftop solar sector
By Sanath Nanayakkare
The Solar Industries Association (SIA), representing over 1,000 companies and employing 40,000 workers in Sri Lanka’s rooftop solar sector, issued a stern warning recently regarding threats to the industry’s survival and the nation’s renewable energy ambitions. The association condemned recent regulatory instability and called for urgent policy reforms to avert economic and social crises.
The SIA categorically rejected the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) claim that rooftop solar installations caused the recent island-wide power outage, calling the accusation “baseless and misleading.”
“Public trust is eroded when accountability is misdirected,” the SIA stated. “We demand an independent, transparent investigation led by experts appointed by the Ministry or the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL). The CEB’s unilateral statements disregard the sector’s contributions and jeopardize Sri Lanka’s renewable energy transition,” they said.
“While acknowledging the formation of a tariff determination committee, the SIA criticized its narrow focus on financial parameters, ignoring the sector’s socioeconomic value. Rooftop solar empowers businesses and households with energy independence, reduces grid strain, and supports climate goals. However, proposed volatile tariff structures risk destabilizing over 100,000 installations—primarily owned by middle-class families—and deter future investment,” they noted.
“A rigid, equation-based tariff system is unsustainable,” the association warned. “Sri Lanka needs a stable policy framework to attract long-term investments. For instance, retirees could invest EPF savings into solar projects, securing income while advancing national energy targets. Without urgent action, 1,000 SMEs and 40,000 jobs face collapse, with dire consequences for employment, energy security, and economic stability,” they pointed out.
SIA urged policymakers to establish an independent committee to investigate the power outage fairly, expand the tariff committee’s mandate to include socioeconomic and environmental benefits and implement predictable policies to safeguard SMEs, households, and investor confidence.
“Sri Lanka stands at a crossroads,” the SIA emphasized. “Protecting rooftop solar isn’t just about energy—it’s about livelihoods, economic resilience, and a sustainable future. We urge stakeholders to collaborate on solutions that prioritize both people and progress,: they emphasized.
SLT-MOBITEL has entered into a strategic partnership with Rush Lanka Group to provide exclusive SLT-MOBITEL Fibre connectivity solutions to their portfolio of luxury apartment developments in Colombo and the suburbs, enhancing the digital experience of all residents.
The agreement was signed between Imantha Wijekoon, Chief Business Officer of Consumer Business at SLT, and Zaid Ariff, Director of Construction at the Rush Group headquarters. Representatives from both companies also attended the ceremony.
Under the partnership, SLT-MOBITEL will serve as the exclusive digital service provider for five prestigious Rush Lanka developments including Street Rush Residencies and Rush Court 4 in Mt. Lavinia, Rush Tower 2, Rush Metropolis in Dehiwala, and Rush Court 5 in Colombo 14. The collaboration ensures residents will enjoy superior fibre connectivity speeds, enabling seamless digital experiences in modern smart homes. The partnership with the Rush Lanka Group aligns with SLT-MOBITEL’s commitment to offer ultra-fast, reliable connectivity solutions to residential developments. Delivering exclusive fibre connectivity to luxury apartments, SLT-MOBITEL ensures residents have access to world-class digital services that complement the living experience promised by Rush Lanka Group.
Powered by advanced fibre technology, SLT-MOBITEL network will provide the residences with seamless performance across digital activities. The SLT-MOBITEL Fibre backbone ensures lag-free experiences whether tenants are gaming online, attending virtual classes, working remotely, or streaming high-definition entertainment. SLT-MOBITEL Fibre will transform the lifestyles of all apartment users bringing greater convenience and superior quality of life.
Rush Lanka Group, established in 1992, is a property developer specializing in luxury and semi-luxury apartments.
Starting its promotional work for 2025, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) added another feather into its cap of endorsements, by being recognized as the most innovative Tourism Board promotion in Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) . In parallel to that, several other sub events were held. The OTM was held in Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai—India, from 30th January to 01st February 2025.Before OTM, the Global Village – Global Exchange & Trade Exhibition was held at the Surat International Exhibition & Convention Centre , Sarsana, Surat (Gujarat – India , from 25th to 27th January 2025. This travel fair was organized by Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI).
Sri Lanka participated in both OTM and South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE), held from 19th – 21st Feb 2025, in New Delhi, India . This was an excellent opportunity for Sri Lanka to promote it’s potential as a unique travel destination, especially for the Indian counterparts, as SLTPB has identified India as the number one source market for Sri Lanka, tourism bringing the largest number of tourist arrivals to the destination.
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