News
Premadasa: Grade 6 syllabus fiasco signals deeper issues
Vicious attacks disguised as criticism of education reforms, says PM
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has said Sri Lanka’s education system has fallen into a “tragic condition,” warning that the crisis extends far beyond the Grade 6 syllabus fiasco.Premadasa made these remarks at the Opposition Leader’s Office during the establishment of the “Common Platform to Protect Free Education.”
Premadasa said that while public attention was on the Grade 6 syllabus issue, the problems facing the education sector were far deeper and affected the entire education system, including schools, universities and tertiary education institutions.
The Opposition Leader noted that the current crisis had not manifested itself overnight due to result of recent decisions; instead, it had developed over time due to reforms being introduced without proper consultation, dialogue or a participatory process involving stakeholders.
The Opposition Leader stressed the urgent need for setting political agendas aside and making a concerted effort to introduce meaningful educaton reforms. He said the rights of more than 4.1 million schoolchildren must be protected.
Premadasa said Sri Lanka must ensure that education was free and of high quality, and warned that failure to do so would have long-term consequences for the country’s future.
Taking part in a televised interview, PM Harini Amarasuriya responded to criticism of the government’s proposed education reforms, especially recent criticism on the rainbow colours on the covers of modules.
This is not constructive in any way. This is vile. This is really vicious. This is the politics the people of this country rejected in three elections in 2024 and 2025,” she said.
She added that the government was open to constructive criticism.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, at Temple Tress on the 17th of February
Dr. Georgieva, commended the Government’s efforts in stabilizing the country’s economy and in managing recent economic and natural shocks. She noted that Cyclone Ditwah had caused severe impacts, especially on economically vulnerable communities, underscoring the importance of targeted support and resilience-building measures.
The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the IMF’s continued support to Sri Lanka, particularly in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. The PM further emphasized that real economic recovery and development must directly benefit the economically vulnerable groups and ensure inclusive growth, highlighting the need for Sri Lanka to attract quality and sustainable investments, particularly in the tourism sector.
The importance of reforming the education system to focus not only on knowledge acquisition but also on skills development and employability was also discussed
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff of the IMF Managing Director Andreas Bauer, Director, Asia and Pacific Department, Dr. Krishna Srinivasan Division Chief (Strategic Communications), Communications Department, Pierre Mejlak Resident Representative for Sri Lanka Dr. Martha Woldemichael, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, and Deputy Governor Dr. C. Amarasekara, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri and Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution forwarded by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to relocate the Deniyaya Base Hospital after constructing a new hospital with a capacity of 300 beds at an estimated cost of Rupees 6,000 million.
The Southern Provincial Department of Health has acquired a plot of land in Handford estate which is approximately 03 kilometres away from the town for this purpose.
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