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Govt. in fresh bid to improve education in North

Published

5 years ago

2021/02/4

Sahan Weerasooriya

Japanese Ambassador joins GL in Kilinochchi

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday (3) said that he was undertaking a three-day visit to the North this week to explore ways and means of developing the education sector.

Prof. Peiris said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was keen to develop the education sector as part of the overall efforts to improve the living standards of the people in the North.

Japanese Ambassador Akira Sugiyama is scheduled to join Prof. Peiris in Kilinochchi, where the Agriculture Faculty of the Jaffna University is situated.

Prof. Peiris, who is also the Chairman of the ruling SLPP, said that Covid-19 caused a severe setback to the national economy, though the government was determined to implement planned projects. A boost for the Northern Province education was a necessity, Prof. Peiris said, adding that the government wanted to reach out to the people.

Responding to another query, Prof. Peiris said: “We are looking at education sector reforms. Decision makers cannot ignore the need for reforms required to prepare youth for jobs, particularly in the private sector.”

The Education Minister’s visit takes place in the wake of the recent removal of a war memorial within the Jaffna University. The issue is likely to figure in the Education Minister’s discussions with Vice Chancellor of the Jaffna University S. Srisatkunarajah.

Prof. Peiris confirmed the scheduled meeting with the VC and Deans of faculties. Asked whether lawmakers representing the people of the Northern region would be participating in any of the events attended by him, Prof. Peiris welcomed the opportunity.

India sought Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s intervention over the sudden removal of the memorial by the University authorities.

There couldn’t be any issue in the government working closely with Opposition political parties for the benefit of the public though differences remained on other matters, such as constitutional reforms.

Sri Lanka brought the war to a successful conclusion in May 2009.

Prof. Peiris who served as the first post-war Minister in charge of External Affairs said that the country couldn’t achieve real reconciliation though progress was made. The education sector could be one field where all stakeholders could work together.

Prof. Peiris expressed concern over the participation of some primary school students in a demonstration in Kilinochchi on Monday (1). Prof. Peiris said that such actions couldn’t be condoned in any manner and he had quite forcefully condemned it.

A section of the media reported some civil society groups, demanding the immediate release of LTTE convicts and suspects in custody, brought out some students. Prof. Peiris said that the previous Rajapaksa government ended the heinous practice of using children as cannon fodder and also as tools in propaganda efforts.

Prof. Peiris said that he would definitely look into the matter. The international community, too, wouldn’t want various interested parties to exploit children in support of politically motivated agendas. The Minister appreciated the reportage of the children’s participation in the Kilinochchi protest.

Minister recalled how children were used during the conflict. Successive governments tried in vain to stop the exploitation of children for ‘military purposes.’ During President Kumaratunga’s tenure, Sri Lanka even secured the support of the UN to bring an end to forcible recruitment of children as child soldiers.

Prof. Peiris said that the government was contemplating far reaching education sector reforms meant to address challenges. The renowned law academic said that the government was confident of conducting the GCE Ordinary Level examination in March though some continued to express concern over the Covid-19 getting out of control. Acknowledging the need to follow health guidelines in spite of the recent launch of the vaccination programme, Prof. Peiris said that the situation in the Northern and Eastern Provinces continued to improve with schools recording much improved attendance.

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Advisory for Heavy Rain issued for the Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts

Published

2 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

Advisory for Heavy Rain Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 08.30 a.m. on 22 February 2026 valid for the period until 08.30 a.m. 23 February 2026

Due to the influence of the low level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Therefore, general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by heavy rain, strong winds and lightning during thundershowers

News

Matara Festival for the Arts’ inaugurated by the Prime Minister

Published

8 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

The inaugural ceremony of the Matara Festival for the Arts, featuring a wide range of creations by local and international artists, was held on February 19 at the Old High Court premises of the Matara Fort, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The festival, centred around the Old High Court premises in Matara and the auditorium of the Matara District Secretariat, will be open to the public from 20 to 23 of February. The festival will be featured by visual art exhibitions, short film screenings, Kala Pola, and a series of workshops conducted by experts.

The inaugural event was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Ms. Saroja Paulraj, along with artists, guests, and a large number of schoolchildren.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Only single MP refuses salary as Parliament details pays and allowances

Published

12 hours ago

2026/02/22

Thilina Walpola

SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilake is the only MP to forego salary and allowances, with all payments suspended following his written notification on August 20, 2025.

Only one Member of Parliament has chosen not to receive the salaries and allowances entitled to MPs, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya revealed in Parliament last Thursday, shedding light on the financial perks enjoyed by members of the Tenth Parliament.

Speaking on Thursday (Feb. 19) in response to a question from SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri, the Prime Minister outlined the full range of pay and allowances provided to parliamentarians.

According to Dr. Amarasuriya, MPs receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 54,285, an entertainment allowance of Rs. 1,000, and a driver’s allowance of Rs. 3,500—though MPs provided with a driver through the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs are not eligible for the driver’s allowance.

Additional benefits include a telephone allowance of Rs. 50,000, a transport allowance of Rs. 15,000, and an office allowance of Rs. 100,000. MPs are also paid a daily sitting allowance of Rs. 2,500 for attending parliamentary sessions, with an additional Rs. 2,500 per day for participation in parliamentary sittings and Rs. 2,500 per day as a committee allowance.

Committee meetings held on non-parliament sitting days also attract Rs. 2,500 per day.

Fuel allowances are provided based on the distance between an MP’s electoral district and Parliament. National List MPs are entitled to a monthly allocation equivalent to 419.76 litres of diesel at the market price on the first day of each month.

Despite the comprehensive benefits, only SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilaka has opted not to draw a salary or allowances. Dr. Amarasuriya said that in accordance with a written notification submitted by MP Wasalathilaka on August 20, 2025, payments have been suspended since that date.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that she, along with the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, committee chairs, ministers, deputy ministers, the Opposition Leader, and senior opposition whips, have all informed the Secretary-General of Parliament in writing that they will not claim the fuel allowance.

Challenging the ruling party’s voluntary pledge to forgo salaries, MP Wijesiri pointed out that all MPs except Wasalathilaka continue to receive their salaries and allowances. “On one hand you speak about the people’s mandate, which is good. But the mandate also included people who said they would voluntarily serve in this Parliament without salaries. Today we have been able to prove, Hon. Speaker, that except for one SJB MP, the other 224 Members are drawing parliamentary salaries,” he said.

The Prime Minister responded by defending the political culture and practice of allocating portions of MPs’ salaries to party funds. Referring to previous practices by the JVP and NPP, she said: “It is no secret to the country that the JVP has for a long time not personally taken MPs’ salaries or any allowances. I think the entire country knows that these go to a party fund. That is not new, nor is it something special to mention. The NPP operates in the same way. That too is not new; it is the culture of our political movement.”

When MP Wijesiri posed a supplementary question asking whether diverting salaries to party funds was an indirect method of taking care of MPs, Dr. Amarasuriya said: “There is no issue there. No question was raised; the Member made a statement. What we have seen throughout this week is an inability to understand our political culture and practice, and a clash with decisions taken by political movements that misused public funds. What is coming out is a certain mindset. That is why there is such an effort to find fault with the 159. None of these facts are new to people. He did not ask a question, so I have nothing to answer.”

The disclosures come days after the Government moved to abolish the parliamentary pension, a measure that has sparked renewed debate over MP compensation and the transparency of funds allocation.