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.