Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya today inaugurated the national programme to implement Sri Lanka’s new education reforms, starting with Grade 1, at Gunasekara Vidyalaya in Athurugiriya.

The 2026 reforms mark a shift from an exam-oriented system to a student-centered, practical learning approach, the government said. The changes aim to reduce academic pressure, introduce early vocational exposure, and modernize the curriculum.

Key updates include a redesigned Grade 1 syllabus featuring lightweight, semester-based booklets, digital tools, and structured timetables. The new system promotes holistic development through play-based learning, physical activity, and the arts.

The initiative emphasizes equal access to quality education and aims to remove economic barriers to learning, reinforcing the principle that education is a fundamental right for every child. (Newswire)

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Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya informed Parliament that the controversial Grade 6 English module, which was withdrawn following the admission of a serious blunder, has not yet reached schoolchildren, and that an immediate investigation was launched as soon as authorities were made aware of the issue.

The Prime Minister said the distribution of the module was suspended instantly once the error was identified. She said that the Ministry is currently investigating how the mistake happened, at which stage it occurred, and who is responsible. She assured that the government will not hesitate to take action against the relevant parties once responsibility is clearly established.

The Prime Minister also explained that the National Education Commission operates under a separate set of rules and procedures, and therefore the inquiry is being carried out in line with the processes of the council appointed to examine the matter. She stressed that the intention of the investigation is not to conceal facts, but to understand why the issue occurred and to ensure such lapses are prevented in the future.

“We want to make things right, not hide facts,” she told Parliament, stressing that the government is committed to transparency and accountability in the education system.

Providing clarity on the school academic schedule, the Minister also said that Grade 6 students are due to receive their modules on January 21, while Grade 1 students will receive their textbooks by January 29. She noted that education authorities are planning to complete the necessary procedures regarding the revised modules before these dates, ensuring that students receive only properly reviewed and approved learning material.

She also urged the public not to judge or fear the ongoing education reforms based on this single incident, stating that reforms should be assessed on their overall objectives and long-term benefits rather than isolated errors.

“This incident should not be used to undermine education reforms,” she said, adding that corrective mechanisms are in place and that student welfare remains the highest priority. (Newswire)

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Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya challenged a media network which aired a news story claiming that she secretly visited former president Ranil Wickremesinghe in hospital.

Addressing a media briefing, the Prime Minister urged the network to present evidence of her alleged visit.

“If I went to the hospital, there should be some evidence which this news story was based on. News stories can’t be created from the sky,” she said.

The Prime Minsiter was referring to a report published by Hiru News, which claimed that Amarasuriya had visited the hospital along with the former First Lady Maithri Wickremesinghe.

“If I went, did someone see me, is there a photograph? As Prime Minister I can’t go to just any place as I wish. Therefore I can’t go to any place secretly. So now, prove that I visited the hospital.”

Inquiring if the channel in concern was present at the media briefing, the Prime Minister challenged the network to prove their story.

“I challenge you to prove that I visited the hospital. If so, it will be proven that I lied, which will solve the problem,” Amarasuriya said.

Although the channel had published a statement from the Premier’s office denying the statement, the original story remains accessible on the website. (Newswire)

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Daughter of slain journalist Lasantha Wickremetunge, Ahimsa Wickrematunge has written to Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya calling for the impeachment of the Attorney General.

Writing to the Premier, Wickrematunge said that Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe’s recommendation to discharge three suspects of the case into her father’s murder, was a gross abuse of power and neglect of duty.

“The facts of what transpired last week make clear that this decision was no accident. It was no
innocent mistake. It is the result of the culture that Mr. Ranasinghe has fostered and allowed to
flourish in several parts of the Attorney General’s Department – a culture of nonchalance,
callousness, complacency and utter disregard for their duty to victims of crime and the witnesses
who risk their lives to protect the integrity of our justice system,” Wickremetunga said.

Full letter: 06 February 2025 – Impeachment of Attorney General_250206_110945

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