Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya says India is working to provide necessary training for Sri Lankan teachers, while the upcoming education reforms will create new opportunities for creative educators.
She made these remarks at the opening ceremony of the new multi-ethnic trilingual school building in Gallella, Polonnaruwa, constructed with the assistance of the Government of India
Dr. Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka takes pride in being a nation where people of different religions, languages and ethnicities live together, adding that for the first time in history, Sri Lankans are able to move forward towards a common national goal while safeguarding diversity.
The Prime Minister noted that the new school building, opened under the trilingual education concept, was completed despite challenges and described it as a historic achievement. She said a development plan has been prepared to ensure the best use of the new facility, which will create more educational and vocational opportunities for youth in the area.
Highlighting that Sri Lanka is preparing to implement decisive education reforms, Dr. Amarasuriya said the government’s main aim is to provide quality education for all children equally — not only by updating syllabuses but also by transforming the overall education system.
She further said the reforms seek to create a disciplined, responsible and leadership-oriented generation, supported by improved school infrastructure, addressing teacher shortages, and ensuring quality learning opportunities nationwide.
The Prime Minister also announced plans to strengthen digital education to prepare children for a fast-changing technological world, by providing facilities and integrating digital interactive technologies into classrooms.
She said that in partnership with the Indian government, new training programmes will be introduced for education administrators to bring modern technological knowledge and ideas into Sri Lanka’s education system. She added that the ultimate goal is to shape a generation enriched with knowledge, values and spirituality through education.
Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, Deputy Minister of Housing and Water Supply T. B. Sarath, MPs Ratnasiri Bandara and Sunil Ratnasiri, and Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwawila were among those who attended the event. (Newswire)
