The Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that the goal is to limit the number of students in a classroom to 25–30, emphasizing that it is not possible to deliver quality education in classrooms with around 50 or 60 students.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in a program held on July 19 at the Dakshinapaya Auditorium in Galle, organized to raise awareness among education authorities in the Southern Province regarding the new education reforms.

Addressing the fourth provincial awareness program on the new education reforms, the Prime Minister further stated:

“First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude for the cooperation you extend toward the education reforms. Implementing a new education reform was something we discussed and planned even before our government came into power.

In line with government policy, we held discussions with experts, gathered opinions from various sectors, and have formulated the relevant policies.

The new education reform is not only about updating the curriculum but also about enhancing teacher professionalism, reforming the educational administrative structure, and developing the necessary infrastructure to ensure all children have access to equal and quality education.

This is not something we are doing for personal gain, it is a responsibility we must fulfill with an understanding of the needs of the country.

There are people in society who initiate constructive dialogue about this with genuine intent, and there are also others who criticize it without proper understanding. Some even critique it for political gain. We know this reform process is a challenge and it is not easy. However, it cannot be ignored. The people gave us their mandate to correct these issues.
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There’s a lot to be done in terms of reforming education. The curricula in teacher training colleges have not changed in 16 years. These must be revised. Teachers and education professionals must be provided with continuous training. From August onwards, steps will be taken to train the teacher trainers in order to deliver proper teacher training”.

Addressing the event, the Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Mr. Nalin Hewage said that at present, steps are being taken to integrate vocational education institutions with the new education reform, which will create an opportunity for students to enter vocational education with dignity based on talent and skills, during their school years, instead of directing only under-performing students toward vocational paths.

The event was attended by Southern Province Governor Bandula Harischandra, Member of Parliament Nihal Galappaththi, Secretary to the Ministry of Education  Nalaka Kaluwawa, Southern Province Chief Secretary  Sumith Alahakoon, officials representing the Ministry of Education, the Department of Examinations, the National Institute of Education, the Southern Provincial Department of Education, Zonal Education Directors, and education authorities from the Southern Province.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

The Sri Lanka Navy after a successful search and rescue (SAR) mission on 19 July 25, brought ashore three fishermen who had set out for fishing from the Palliyawatta beach area in Wattala on the previos day and had encountered  distress in the seas about 02 nautical miles (04 kilometers) off Palliyawatta due to the malfunction of their outboard motor and  severe weather.

The rescued fishermen were brought  to the Dikowita Harbour and handed over to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) .

The Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) has, in a letter sent to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, suggested that the government either conduct the long overdue Provincial Council elections or abolish the Provincial Council system as the NPP government has a two-thirds majority in Parliament and is in a position to secure people’s approval for such a move at a referendum.

CaFFE has pointed out the Provincial Governors, who are representatives of the Executive President, have been running the PC the past seven years or so.

The Provincial Council elections have not been held as the proposed amendments to the Provincial Council Act as well as the report of the Delimitation Commission has not been finalised.

CaFFE  says that the government has a mandate to have the PC elections conducted under the proportional representation system. The election monitor has also requested the President to ensure that there is adequate female and youth representation in the PC if the government decides to continue with them.

The letter to the President has been sent under the signatures of CaFFE’s Executive Director Manas Makeen and Director Administration Surangi Ariyawansa.

by PRIYAN DE SILVA ✍️