Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that special attention will be given to the higher education of children with special needs under the supervision of the Ministry of Education.

She made this statement during a meeting held in Parliament on February 22 with representatives from various institutions advocating for the disabled community to discuss strategies for enhancing educational opportunities for individuals with special needs.

During the meeting, the representatives presented a comprehensive proposal developed in line with local and international standards. The proposal addressed several key areas, including strengthening the rights of people with special needs, improving the quality of education for children with disabilities, and introducing higher education opportunities focused to their needs.

The delegation commended the current government for allocating funds in the 2025 budget to improve education for children with autism and for establishing a social security system for orphans.

Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Amarasuriya stated:

“People with special needs must be given the social acceptance required to live normal lives within society. We aim to incorporate this principle into broader initiatives, including the ’Clean Sri Lanka’ project.

Our country has many policies, but the challenge lies in effective implementation. Allocating funds for policy execution is crucial, which is why the 2025 budget specifically earmarks resources for various initiatives.

Under the Ministry of Education’s supervision, we are determined to prioritize higher education for children with special needs and have appointed the necessary personnel to lead this effort.

We are currently preparing for a comprehensive transformation of the education system. Relevant policies will be developed in 2025, with implementation set to begin in 2026. This long-term plan is designed to bring about systemic change, with special emphasis on the education of children with special needs.

Our goal is to ensure that every child with special needs has access to inclusive education in mainstream schools. While this is a substantial process that cannot be completed overnight, we aim to achieve these goals gradually. As a starting point, we are working to make at least one school in each educational administrative zone equipped to accommodate children with special needs,” she said.

The meeting was attended by officials representing the disabled community, including Member of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva, former Senior Lecturer Dr. T.D.T.L. Dhanapala, and other dignitaries.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

The Vavuniya High Court has sentenced former Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Lalith Jayasinghe to four years rigorous imprisonment for facilitating the release of a suspect connected to the 2015 murder of schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vidya in Punkudutivu.

High Court Judge M.M. Mihar also imposed a fine of Rs. 50,000 on Jayasinghe, with an additional six-month prison term to be served in the event of non-payment.

Vidya, an 18-year-old schoolgirl from Punkudutivu, was abducted, gang-raped, and murdered in Jaffna on 13 May 2015, while returning home from school. The main suspect, known as ‘Swiss Kumar’, was apprehended by local residents and handed over to the police.

Jayasinghe, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department on July 15, 2017, was found guilty of aiding the suspect’s escape while in custody.

The High Court ruled that the prosecution had proven the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge also issued open warrants for the arrest of Sri Gajan, a former Sub-Inspector of the Crime Investigation Division of Kayts Police, who was also named as an accused in the case.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) on Friday announced that it is making significant progress toward launching the Maha Oya Pumped Storage Hydropower Project, Sri Lanka’s first-ever “Water Battery”.

In a statement the Board said this groundbreaking 600 MW initiative will store excess renewable energy from solar and wind sources, ensuring grid stability and supporting Sri Lanka’s goal of generating 70 percent  of its electricity from renewables by 2030.

The project, located in Aranayake and Nawalapitiya, will feature two reservoirs connected by a 2.5 km tunnel, operating as a large-scale energy storage system, the CEB stated. Water from the lower reservoir will be pumped to the upper when renewable (solar, wind) energy is available for the purpose.

By reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions, the project will play a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s transition to sustainable energy, it said.

The CEB aims to secure long-term funding from international agencies to minimize impacts on electricity tariffs while ensuring affordability for consumers, the statement said.

The Maha Oya project represents a major step toward energy independence, providing grid support for renewable energy absorption while fostering economic growth, job creation, and environmental sustainability, the Board added.