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Lankan kids set world record during first wave of pandemic by writing 43,000 books

Published

5 years ago

2021/04/28

By Ifham Nizam

Schoolchildren in Sri Lanka had disproved the claim that the present-day children neither wrote nor read by writing a staggering 43,000 books during the pandemic period so far, Power and Energy Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

Alahapperuma, who was the Minister in Charge of Education during the Covid-19 first wave, took the initiative to encourage school children to write books, a concept that was backed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, teachers and principals.

Alahapperuma said that there were 4.3 million children in the Lankan school system. Private schools, pirivenas, international schools total up to five million children.

“One out of every 100 children has written a book, and this must be a world record, and Library Services could further strengthen the mission.” the Minister said.

Plans were underway to post 10,000 books online in e-book format.

“This should be in the Guinness Book of World Records. What makes it even more special is that these books were written at a time when the world was in a state of panic. This is the only record during the Covid plague that one does not want to forget.”

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Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM

Published

55 mins ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya stated that the necessary financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces. She emphasized that these funds must be utilized effectively for school development and requested that relevant authorities submit proposals to address existing shortcomings in school infrastructure.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a cordial meeting with Muslim women in the Wellawaya area on 1st of March.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister met with the Chief Sanghanayake of the Uva Wellassa region and the Chief Incumbent of Yudaganawa Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Most Venerable Galtemwatte Nandarathana Nayaka Thero, and briefed him on the current progress of the new education reforms.

She further stated that, while ensuring due recognition for vocational education, steps are being taken to develop 50 vocational training centers equipped with modern courses, covering all 25 districts of the country. She also noted that new education reforms will be introduced for Grade 6 starting in 2027, and that the printing of new textbooks will be entrusted to the Educational Publications Department of the Ministry of Education.

The occasion was attended by Uva Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security R.M. Jayawardhana, Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijewardene, local government representatives, the Buttala Divisional Secretary and the District Secretary.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Latest News

Free 14 day visa extension for visitors unable to depart Sri Lanka

Published

6 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

The Department of Immigration and Emmigration has decided effective from 28th February 2026, to grant a free fourteen (14) day visa extension to all tourists who are unable to leave Sri Lanka due to flight cancellations.

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Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrives in Colombo

Published

7 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

The Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrived at the Port of Colombo for replenishment purposes on 02 Mar 26. The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The ship is a 48.9m long Offshore Patrol Vessel which is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Nafiu Mohamed.

Meanwhile, the ship’s crew is scheduled to visit several tourist attractions in the city of Colombo, during their stay in the island.