Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the current perspective on education is extremely narrow and that the practice of evaluating education solely based on exam results is flawed and in need of change.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the “Pankaja Student Summit 2025” of the Polonnaruwa District, held on Sunday [July 13]  at Royal Central College, Polonnaruwa aiming for the development of virtues among children by fostering the fundamental aspects of higher education.

Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya attended the event as Minister of Education, in response to an invitation from Praveen Maneesha Watthegama, the student Prime Minister representing Royal Central College in the National Student Parliament.

Addressing the event, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated;

“We are committed to transforming the exam-centered education system to one that allows talented children to move forward through their abilities and skills.

Our President constantly emphasizes the need to build a compassionate society by nurturing sensitive children with good values. It is not enough to raise individuals who only fulfill their own duties and needs, what matters is producing students who work for the betterment of society in mind.

Today, seeing the creativity and skills of these students, I truly feel happy. I am confident that there is a highly capable group of young people ready to take on the future leadership of our country. Our goal is to nurture not only creativity but also children who are enriched with humanity. Seeing your talents has given me further encouragement. You are the ones who give us the strength to keep working. Let us all join together and commit ourselves to building a compassionate and value-driven society.”

Praveen Maneesha Watthegama, the student Prime Minister of the National Student Parliament presenting his views said:

“We have named this student summit ’Pankaja’ (lotus), a flower that rises from the mud to symbolize the emergence of a noble new generation from a troubled society.

As a representative of the student community, I hope to present three key proposals to the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training.

Firstly, to implement the concept of student parliaments effectively in schools; secondly, to introduce a system where physical punishment is replaced with a skill-based point deduction method as a form of discipline; and thirdly, to investigate the possibility of implementing value-based programs in Sunday Dhamma schools that help shape students’ attitudes.”

The event was graced by the presence of the Maha Sangha and clergy of other religions, Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramarathna, Deputy Minister of Housing Development, Construction and Housing T.B. Sarath, Members of Parliament for Polonnaruwa District Padmasiri Bandara and Sunil Rathnasiri, Principal of Royal Central College Mr. Ravilal Wijewansa, members of the school academic staff, students, and a large number of parents.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Sri Lanka’s import bill dropped by USD 179 million in May 2025 to USD 1.507 billion, despite a notable rise in personal vehicle imports, and there has been a continued surge in workers’ remittances, according to the latest data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

The value of personal vehicle imports stood at USD 118 million in May, a marginal dip from USD 134 million in April. However, the broader import decline was driven by weakening services inflows and tighter control on other categories of goods, amid concerns over the sustainability of Sri Lanka’s external sector.

The import contraction comes as remittance inflows continued their upward trajectory. Workers abroad sent home USD 635.7 million in June—up 22% year-on-year—bringing total remittances for the first half of 2025 to USD 3.7 billion. This represents an 18.9% increase from the same period last year, reinforcing remittances as the single largest source of foreign exchange for the country. In 2024, Sri Lanka received a total of USD 6.57 billion in remittances,

largely underpinned by a steady outflow of migrant workers, with 312,836 Sri Lankans officially departing for overseas employment during the year.

While gross inflows from exports, remittances, and services amounted to USD 2.14 billion in May—comfortably exceeding goods imports by USD 633 million—the performance of the services sector flagged warning signs. Services receipts fell to USD 464.6 million from USD 602 million in April. Tourism earnings dropped sharply to USD 164 million from USD 256 million, while IT and BPO service exports declined to USD 61.6 million from USD 85.4 million.

Investment goods imports, at USD 344.3 million in May, remained only marginally below April’s figure of USD 371 million.

The Navy seized over 800 kilos of smuggled spices, medicines, and cosmetic products during a search operation near Devils Point beach, in Kilinochchi, on 11 July.

Naval personnel, attached to SLNS Buwaneka of the North Central Naval Command, intercepted two suspicious cabs in the area, recovering 300 kilos of cardamom, 260 kilos of turmeric powder, 273 kilos of dried ginger, and a haul of unlicensed medicines and cosmetic items prepared for distribution.

Four suspects—aged between 39 and 49—were arrested in connection with the smuggling attempt. They have been identified as residents of Erakkandi, Kalmunaikudi, Trincomalee, and Puttalam.The suspects, along with the vehicles and contraband, were handed over to the Customs Preventive Office in Katunayake for further legal proceedings, Navy sources said.