Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya says the support of the Maha Sangha is essential to establish Pirivena education as a model for all.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the 2025 National Pirivena Day celebration held at Temple Trees yesterday, in conjunction with the commemoration of the birth anniversary of the late Most Venerable Welivita Pindapathika Asarana Sarana Saranankara Sangharaja Thero, who pioneered the revitalization of Pirivena education as a central component of the national education system.
Addressing the ceremony, PM Amarasuriya said the need for an environmentally conscious, sensitive, and ethically grounded future generation is not only a national necessity but a global necessity because humanity is increasingly distancing itself from human values, engaging in an intense mechanistic struggle driven by commercial objectives, resulting in global conflicts, pandemics, natural disasters, and even climate change that emerges as threats to all forms of life on Earth.
She further said that in order to overcome this deteriorating socio-environmental pattern, the government is actively engaged in a transformative process in the field of education, marking a significant and revolutionary turn.
PM Amarasuriya revealed that in this regard, the government has paid special attention to achieving high-quality development expectations of Pirivena education, which previously functioned as a central foundation of Sri Lanka’s education system.
“To achieve this, educational initiatives such as the newly introduced Tripitaka Dhamma Proficiency Examination have been established to ensure balanced development across the triad of knowledge, skills, and attitudes and thereby shaping the lives of student monks meaningfully and comprehensively and the government will continue to provide the necessary human and physical resources for Piriven institutions,” she said. .
PM Amarasuriya stressed that the government seeks the blessings and cooperation of the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theros, as well as the dedication of Pirivena principals, teachers, and administrators, to uplift Pirivena education as a role model for all.
“I take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to the historically prestigious Pirivena education system, which has contributed to the sustainable and long-term nourishment of Sri Lanka’s educational sector. Pirivena education has played a vital role in the development of Buddhism, education, and social well-being in the country. I consider it a great honour to have been able to participate in the National Pirivena Day celebration, coinciding with the commemoration of the birth anniversary of the Most Venerable Welivita Sri Saranankara Sangharaja Thero,” she added.
During the event, tributes were paid to the Maha Sangha and lay individuals who have devoted themselves to the development of Pirivena education. Awards were also presented to student monks who secured first, second, and third places at the All-Island level in Pirivena education for the year 2024. (Newswire)