Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe has incorrectly cited information while addressing Parliament on the controversial web link issue in school textbooks.

Speaking in Parliament, Jayasinghe said the Grade 11 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) textbook published in 2015 contained the same controversial weblink, noting that the textbook is still in use.

“Page 77 includes a number of links. One of those links is this ‘buddy’- the one you referred to as obscene. This was introduced during the Maithri–Ranil–Sajith government. This is the textbook that is still being used. Nobody saw this,” he said.

Opposition MP Rohini Wijerathna, however, rejected the claim, saying the deputy minister had confused links appearing in two separate textbooks.

“The 2015 ICT textbook contains the link ‘ebuddy.net’. The English module carries a different URL. These should not be mixed up,” she said.

The exchange followed controversy over the inclusion of a link to an adult chat website in the Grade 6 English module. 

During his speech, Deputy Minister Jayasinghe referred to a messenger application titled “eBuddy.” 

“Ebuddy” is a messaging application, while the controversial link included in the English module is a gay chat website (Newswire)

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Cabinet approval has been granted for the development of the telecommunication industry by improving Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Education via the “Suhuru School Project”.

According to the government, in line with Sri Lanka’s Digital Economy Strategy, the need to develop the telecommunications industry through improving ICT education has been identified to drive economic growth and innovation. 

This will enable the development of skilled professionals for the sustainable development of the telecommunication industry. 

The government revealed the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) is empowered to use or provide 50% of the telecommunication development fee charged to the licensees, for the benefit of the telecommunication industry. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the joint proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Technology, and the Minister of Education to implement the “Suhuru School Project”.

Under the project, 1000 schools that teach information and communication as a subject for the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination can be provided with the necessary equipment through the provisions of the Telecommunication Development Fee Fund.

A scholarship program has also been proposed to provide financial assistance to 5000 low-income families studying information and communication subjects for the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination with the operational support of the President’s Fund. (NewsWire)

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