Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said Thursday that the government is formulating a national policy to ensure child protection in the use of technology, amid controversy surrounding a Grade 6 English language textbook.
Speaking in Kandy, the prime minister briefed the chief Buddhist prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiriya chapters on an error identified in the first print run of the Grade 6 English module. Printed copies of all modules were also presented to the Mahanayake Theros during the discussions.
Earlier in the day, Amarasuriya visited the Malwathu Viharaya, where she met the Mahanayake Thero of the Malwathu Chapter and explained the nature of the error in the textbook. The prelates stressed that education is a sensitive subject and said such matters should be handled with greater care, proper oversight and accountability. They also called for a formal investigation and a systematic approach to education reforms.
The prime minister later visited the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya and briefed the Mahanayake Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, who underscored the need for timely education reforms while cautioning that reforms must be implemented with careful review. The prelate also pointed to wider societal concerns related to the use of technology, including the growing impact of artificial intelligence on social media.
Addressing the issue, Amarasuriya said a committee had been appointed to examine the matter and that, based on recommendations by the National Institute of Education, the relevant lesson had been removed.
“All printed copies of the module have been stamped, and no copies have been distributed to schoolchildren,” she said, adding that the Ministry of Education has initiated a formal investigation and lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department.
She said the government is simultaneously working on a broader policy framework to safeguard children in the use of digital and emerging technologies.
Responding to questions from journalists, the prime minister said the opposition was attempting to exploit the issue for political gain through a no-confidence motion, but stressed that the government viewed the situation as an opportunity for constructive engagement.
“We recognize that mistakes occurred, and we are committed to correcting them,” she said. “The no-confidence motion will be taken as an opportunity to further dialogue on education reforms.”
Several religious leaders, lawmakers, local government officials and education sector representatives were present at the meetings, according to the Prime Minister’s Media Division. (Newswire)