Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that as a government committed to ensuring the future of the nation’s children, it is essential to establish an education system in which every child can equally experience quality education. The Prime Minister emphasized that decisions must be made based on accurate data, sound policies, and technological evidence in order to achieve this goal.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the official launch of the first phase of the Human Resources Module of the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) and the pilot project of the e-Thaksalawa Learning Management System (LMS), held at Temple Trees on Saturday [6th of June 2026].

The National Education Management Information System has been developed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of human resource management and administration, which are among the five key pillars of the ongoing education reforms.

Previously, each province operated its own independent information systems, and through this new platform, it is expected to manage all information relating to both national and provincial schools under a single integrated system. Accordingly, the first phase, the Human Resources Module, was officially launched. Under this initial module, teacher transfers in the provinces of Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern, and North Western will be managed through the system, with plans to expand it island-wide in due course.

The remaining modules to be introduced in the future are designed to facilitate comprehensive human resource management for all academic staff in schools.

This initiative has been implemented through the collaborative efforts of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Task Force on Digital Transformation in Education, provincial and zonal education authorities, technical teams, and the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Simultaneously, the pilot project of the e-Thaksalawa Learning Management System (LMS) was also launched, aiming to expand digital learning opportunities and enhance the teaching, learning, and assessment processes for students.

Addressing the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

“Instead of allowing different sectors of the education system to function in isolation, we are integrating educational administration, the delivery of education, and educational content into a one framework. What we have embarked upon is by no means a minor undertaking.

Digitalisation is importance to our government. We must evolve and move forward with rapidly changing world. We believe that digitalisation is essential in order to deliver the public services more efficiently and transparently. In particular, the education reforms we will implement in the future require accurate data. Through the National Education Management Information System, we will be able to obtain reliable data while ensuring transparency and quality in education.

All national schools will be incorporated into this system in the near future. Teacher data from several provincial schools have already been entered. Through this platform, we expect to manage teacher recruitment, transfers, promotions, and other services related to the education sector in a transparent and efficient manner.

When digitalising public services, we must also nurture citizens with the knowledge and skills to use them. The primary responsibility for this lies with the education sector. That is why we have planned to build human capital through the e-Thaksalawa Learning Management System.

Digitalisation is not a substitute for teachers. Education is fundamentally based on human relationship. No matter how much technology is available in classrooms, learning does not happen automatically. It is the teacher who engages directly with students. Therefore, digital technology should serve as a tool that empowers teachers and further enhances their importance.

By using digitalisation, we intend to address key challenges such as providing high-quality education to under-resourced schools, ensuring that every school benefits from the expertise of capable teachers, and creating educational opportunities for children with special needs. Our vision is to use digitalisation to nurture humane, enlightened citizens who are prepared for the future.

During the event, commemorative plaques were presented by the Prime Minister to officials representing the Sabaragamuwa, Eastern, and Uva Provinces, as well as to officers of the Sri Lanka Air Force, in recognition of their contribution to the development of the first phase of the National Education Management Information System.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, and Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy Waruna Sri Dhanapala, and Chief Secretaries of Provincial Councils, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Provincial Secretaries of Education, provincial education authorities, senior officials representing the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Ministry of Education, as well as members of the Task Force on the Digital Transformation of Education and senior officers of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

A discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and representatives of the Committee for National Scout Poson Zone was held on Monday (08) afternoon  at the Presidential Secretariat.

The meeting focused on arrangements and preparatory activities for the inaugural National Scout Poson Zone, which will be held in Colombo on 28 and 29 June in conjunction with this year’s Poson celebrations.

The National Scout Poson Zone is expected to be organised with the participation of Scout members from across the island, with the support of the Tri-Forces, the Police and other public sector institutions, as well as contributions from the private sector, under the coordination of the Presidential Secretariat.

The Poson Zone, which will extend from the Lake House Roundabout to the Police Headquarters Roundabout, will feature a wide range of programmes aimed at promoting religious devotion, cultural values and social harmony. These will include illuminated pandals, lantern displays, replicas of Mihintale, Bhakthi Gee, dansal programmes and several other activities associated with the Poson festival.

Among those present at the discussion were Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Chief Scout Commissioner Attorney Manoj Nanayakkara, Additional Director General of the Department of Public Enterprises, D. C. Jayadeva, Commissioner (Daham Schools) of the Department of Buddhist Affairs, Wasantha Kumara Liyanage, Additional District Secretary of Colombo ,M. A. S. Kanchana Gunawardena, Divisional Secretary of Colombo U. P. S. A. Piyadasa, government officials, senior security officers and representatives of sponsoring companies.

 (PMD)

Short family visits allowed after protest letters

Following letters sent by former State Intelligence Service Director Maj. Gen. (retd.) Suresh Sallay’s wife Manori and counsel Asith Siriwardena  to the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) SSP (retd.) Shani Abeysekera, permission was granted for family members and lawyers to visit Sallay for 15 minutes each.

Siriwardena requested Sallay to discontinue his hunger strike. However, Sallay refused to comply and asked the latter to tell his wife not to make similar requests.

On 25 February, the CID arrested Sallay under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage that claimed nearly 280 lives including  about 40 foreigners.

Sallay has said that he will continue his fast-unto-death until the government gives a formal undertaking to transfer both his place of detention and the investigation to another investigative division of the Police Department.

Sources said that the detainee has said that whatever investigative division that is not under the supervision, command or control of retired SSP Shani Abeysekera.

The following is the text of the letter Manori Sallay sent to the Director CID earlier in the day: “I write to you as the wife of Retired Major General Suresh Sallay, with a heavy heart and in a state of profound distress.

“On the 6th of June 2026 during a family visit, my son & my brother-in-law witnessed my husband in a condition that has left us deeply shocked and frightened. He appeared physically weak, emotionally exhausted, and in obvious distress. We were informed that he had refused food, water, medication, and medical treatment. Most heartbreaking of all, he spoke as though he had lost hope and believed that death was imminent.

“As his wife, I cannot adequately express the anguish of hearing him speak in such terms. Our family is gravely concerned for his life and wellbeing. We fear that he is no longer in a state where he can properly assess his own interests or make decisions that are in his best interests.

“I am aware of the fact that my husband has been admitted to the National Hospital and is presently receiving treatment. In fact after being admitted myself and my children were granted permission to see him from a distance at NHSL.

“While this brings some measure of relief, I remain deeply concerned about his present state of mind and his continued refusal to accept medical care.

“In these circumstances, I respectfully and earnestly request that President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando and Attorney-at-Law Asith Siriwardena, who are representing my husband, be granted permission to visit him as a matter of urgency.

“I believe that their presence may help him regain confidence, understand the legal avenues available to him, and persuade him to abandon the fast-to-death campaign that he has undertaken. At this critical moment, he requires not only medical treatment but also the reassurance and guidance that his legal representatives are uniquely placed to provide.

“I wish to make it clear that this request is made entirely on humanitarian grounds. The proposed visit would take place only with the approval of the attending medical professionals and subject to any conditions they may consider necessary.

“The sole purpose is to support my husband, encourage him to cooperate with treatment, and help preserve his life.

“As a wife watching her husband struggle under these circumstances, I respectfully appeal to your compassion and understanding. Time is of the essence. Every hour that passes without meaningful intervention increases our fear for his safety and wellbeing.

“I therefore humbly request that arrangements be made to permit President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando and Attorney-at-Law Asith Siriwardena to meet my husband today at NHSL.

“I sincerely hope that this request will receive your urgent and favourable consideration.”