Teachers and other education professionals are set to come under a new system of mandatory registration, professional licensing and quality assurance, it was reported. 

According to the Sunday Observer, Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewe stated that legislation is being fast‑tracked to establish an Education Council, with the Legal Draftsman instructed to prepare the Bill following Cabinet approval. 

“The proposed Council has now entered the legal drafting stage,” he said, noting that the Government wants the body established “as soon as possible.”

The initiative follows recommendations of a committee headed by Senior Professor O.G. Dayaratne and subsequent reviews. 

Prime Minister and Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya proposed the Council to strengthen standards and quality in the country’s general education sector.

The Council will regulate teachers, principals, advisers, teacher educators, and education administrators.

Its functions will include standardisation, registration, licensing, quality assurance, and accreditation. A professional rating system is also planned to support continuous teacher development.

Kaluwewe added that the framework will extend to private education establishments, aiming to encourage and maintain higher standards across the sector. (Newswire)

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The Maradankerni Police have arrested five students in connection with an incident where a group photograph of 16 female teachers from a school in the Uduththurai area in Kankasanthurai was manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to make them appear nude and then circulated via WhatsApp.

According to the Lankadeepa newspaper, the Police said the suspects are students who sat for this year’s GCE Ordinary Level examination and are currently awaiting results. 

The arrests were made following a complaint lodged by the school administration.

Investigations revealed that four of the students had the doctored images stored on their mobile phones during examinations of the devices. (Newswire)

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The Tangalle Zonal Education Office has called for explanations from principals regarding the non‑participation of teachers at a meeting held under the patronage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya on March 15 at the Tangalle Municipal Council.

The Tangalle Zonal Education Director has issued letters to all school principals instructing them to submit reasons for the absence of teachers before March 26. 

The directive follows media attention after a significant number of teachers failed to attend the meeting, despite prior notification from the zonal office. (Newswire)

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The “Chinese Culture Training Camp for Local Chinese Language Teachers in Sri Lanka” will be held from 11-12 December 2025, at the Sri Lanka National Institute of Education (NIE).

The training camp will be held to enhance the understanding and cognition of Chinese culture among local Chinese language teachers in Sri Lanka, increase the proportion of cultural content in language teaching, and deepen students’ identification with Chinese culture through language learning.

The event is hosted by the Embassy of China in Sri Lanka and jointly organized by the Lumbini Confucius Classroom and the National Institute of Education (NIE).

This training camp focuses closely on the core needs of local Chinese teachers. Leveraging the teachers’ unique advantage of having a deep understanding of Sri Lankan students’ learning styles, cultural backgrounds, and thinking habits, the program sets the improvement of Chinese cultural literacy as its core objective and key content. Through systematic special cultural courses and immersive teaching practices, the camp aims to help teachers systematically master the essence of the Chinese language and culture, thereby solidifying their foundation in cultural teaching.

With this foundation, teachers will be better equipped to deeply integrate cultural elements into their instructional design. This will enable them to create Chinese teaching plans that are both knowledgeable and culturally inspiring, while remaining relevant to the local cultural context. Ultimately, this initiative aims to significantly enhance classroom appeal and teaching effectiveness, allowing students to comprehend the deeper connotations of Chinese culture while learning the language.

The holding of this training camp not only injects strong cultural impetus into the local Chinese teaching workforce and consolidates the cultural foundation of local Chinese education, but also builds a solid bridge for China-Sri Lanka cultural exchange, opening a new chapter for people-to-people exchanges and educational cooperation between the two nations.

The Opening Ceremony of the “Chinese Culture Training Camp for Local Chinese Language Teachers in Sri Lanka” will be held at 9:00 am on December 11 at the Kannangara Auditorium Hall, National Institute of Education (NIE), Maharagama. (Newswire)

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Education professionals have expressed their opposition to the government’s proposed education reforms, including the extension of school hours until 2:00 pm. 

Addressing the media yesterday (13), President of the Education Professionals’ Association, Venerable Ulapane Sumangala Thera, announced that an islandwide strike involving multiple trade unions is scheduled for December 12, demanding the withdrawal of these reforms.

At the media briefing, the union emphasized that the government is moving forward with the proposed extension of school hours despite objections, even from unions that usually support the administration. 

Venerable Sumangala Thera noted that official circulars have already been issued regarding the proposed changes, without considering the prevailing opposition.

He further warned that if the government fails to withdraw these reforms, trade unions are prepared to launch an indefinite strike across the country after December 12.

The union reiterated that the extension of school hours and other education reforms must be reconsidered, and that the government’s disregard for stakeholder concerns could lead to serious disruptions in the education sector. (Newswire)

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A group of teachers from national schools who arrived at the Ministry of Education this morning engaged in a silent protest inside the ministry premises.

The teachers visited the ministry due to unresolved issues regarding the admission of their children to the schools where they teach, following the completion of their three-year probationary service period.

It is reported that ten of the teachers engaged in the protest have been allowed to participate in a discussion with the relevant authorities. (Newswire)

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A tense situation has been reported at the Education Ministry in Battaramulla with a group of teachers protesting inside the premises over several demands.

The protesting teachers are reportedly seated on the floor of the ministry, calling on the authorities to address their grievances. 

Security personnel were seen blocking access to the main office, after which the teachers were seen peacefully seated on the floor continuing their protest. (Newswire)

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Education Minister and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has refuted criticism by some opposition MPs that the government has failed to raise the salaries of teachers of the top 10 ranks in the salary grade, as previously promised.

Addressing the Parliament today, PM Harini Amarasuriya said that was not the case, revealing that the salaries of principals and teachers have been raised.

“The salary of principals has been increased by Rs. 30,105 and the salary of teachers by Rs. 25,360. Accordingly, principals are placed in the 7th rank and teachers in the 8th rank among the salary grades,” she added. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet has approved the proposal to launch a program to provide training for 7500 teachers on robotics and artificial technology.

The Government of Sri Lanka has identified digital transformation as a vitally important component in the national education policy framework. It has also been encouraged to obtain the support of the public and private sectors to utilize artificial intelligence and new technologies. 

As such, a pilot project was carried out successfully based on the proposal presented by the Skills College of Technology (SCOT CAMPUS), an institution experienced in conducting practical courses on information technology, mechatronics, and robotics.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the joint proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as a Minister of Technology and Minister of Education, to train 7500 teachers selected from schools covering all the provinces.

The teachers are to be trained relevant to the STEAM concept, including information technology, biotechnology, engineering technology, and mathematics, under three stages by the SCOT CAMPUS. (Newswire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe says no one would be permitted to disrupt school education between 7:30 am and 1:30 pm and that the Attorney General has been directed to consider further measures to ensure this.

The President further said it is imperative that the education of children is not hindered by school closures or strikes, emphasizing that actions must be taken with future generations in mind.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of those entering the teaching profession dedicating themselves to the future generation, noting that education in a country cannot thrive without discipline.

“Recently, teachers went on strike, abandoning classrooms to protest at the Colombo Fort railway station. University students and others joined, demonstrating and attempting to reach the Presidential Secretariat, even amidst tear gas. While protests are not new, such actions do not befit the honourable teaching profession.

“In the past, teachers on strike would still teach without signing attendance books, or they might wear a black armband while continuing their duties, as seen in some countries. However, the most recent strike was entirely different.

This situation did not occur in Tamil and Muslim schools, where educational activities for children continued. Similarly, international schools and private schools maintained their educational activities effectively,” he said.

The President pointed out that, however, Sinhala-medium schools had to face disruptions and that children from rural areas attend these schools. 

“I question whether this is also a responsibility of the teaching profession. Teachers of Tamil and Muslim schools recognized the importance of education. When Sinhala-medium schools in places like Nuwara Eliya were disrupted, education continued in Tamil-medium schools. Such disparities should not exist in our country.

“In certain schools, teachers faced threats preventing them from attending. People fault the government for its lack of action and accuse the opposition of backing such incidents. This situation is troubling,” he said. 

Stating that today’s schools must uphold discipline, the President said strikes in schools are detrimental and unjustified. 

“In 2022, under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration, the only salary increase was for teachers. This year, we provided a stipend of Rs. 10,000 for all government employees. Given the country’s economic situation, further increases were not feasible. Some trade unions have requested a revision and additional salary increases, which is surprising considering teachers have already received two salary increments,” he said. 

Requesting that everyone prioritize children’s education, President Ranil Wickremesinghe also asked the opposition not to support acts of sabotage.

The President further said that he has discussed with the Minister of Education the future process of teacher transfers and promotions through an online system, emphasizing that no one will face injustice in these matters.

The President made these remarks while attending a ceremony at Temple Trees today (July 03), where appointments were awarded to officers of the Education Administrative Service, as well as teaching appointments to graduates and diploma holders.

Appointments were granted to 60 individuals approved by the Education Service Committee of the Public Service Commission, and teaching positions were awarded to 1,706 graduates and 453 English diploma holders. 

President’s full statement: https://pmd.gov.lk/news/teaching-profession-calls-for-dedication-to-future-generations/ (Newswire)

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The National Peoples Power (NPP) has called on the government to resolve the issues of teachers and principals who are striking over salary anomalies, pointing out the severe impact on the education of school students. 

Addressing a Teachers Summit, NPP Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized the importance of the education sector, stating that the main responsibility assigned to teachers is to create a good human resource for the country.

As such, MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the NPP’s manifesto proposes making the teaching profession one of the ten main professions in Sri Lanka.

“The most important resource of our country is human resources. Our country has no future without developing this human resource. We are not a big industrialized country and we are not a state with commercial resources like coal, gold, oil and gas,” he said. 

MP Dissanayake pointed out that, therefore, the responsibility of the education sector is more as it is tasked with creating human resources required for the nation and on par with global developments.

He further condemned the government’s action of using the Police to suppress the protesters instead of resolving their issues. (Newswire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has warned that steps will be taken to designate teaching as an essential service if school teachers deprive students of their education. 

The President further emphasized the importance of teachers being present in schools during morning hours to ensure the education of children.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), he made the remarks during a discussion with the Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Nayaka Thera in Kandy today. 

Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said over 10,000 schools were forced to close yesterday due to the strike action launched by teachers and principals over several demands including salary anomalies.

Simultaneous to the strike action, teacher and principal trade unions, along with the CTU, staged a protest march in Colombo, during which the Police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters. 

The CTU announced that the strike action will be continued today as well, with teachers and principals reporting sick to duty, to protest the Police action during yesterday’s protest march. (Newswire) 

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Police have fired water cannons and tear gas to disperse a protest staged by teachers and principals over salary anomalies.

The teachers and principals launched a protest march from the Fort Railway Station and headed towards Lotus Road in Colombo, where the Police took measures to disperse the protest. 

The teacher-principal trade unions today launched an islandwide trade union action by reporting sick, forcing over 10,000 schools to close, while members of the trade union engaged in the protest march. (Newswire)

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The Gazette notification on the acceptance of applications for 2,535 teaching assistants for estate sector schools will be issued in the next few weeks, Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha said.

Minister Premajayantha said it is expected to provide appointments, preliminary training, and postings at schools by May this year.

Stating that there was a severe shortage of teachers at estate sector schools, he said there are very few students who qualify for college and there are only a handful of graduates.

The Education Minister said that as a solution, relevant provincial officials have been instructed to provide appointments to graduates from the Uva and Central provinces as a preliminary measure. (NewsWire)

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The Government has announced plans for the recruitment of eight thousand teachers for government schools in the near future. 

State Minister for Education Aravinda Kumar indicated that this recruitment will include 5,500 graduate teachers and 2,500 teachers specializing in second language instruction.

The State Minister of Education made the remarks during a press conference at the Presidential Media Centre (PMD) held yesterday (23).

“Despite facing economic challenges in the past, the government has shown heightened dedication to matters within the Ministry of Education. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has played a pivotal role in making significant decisions aimed at advancing the educational prospects of the nation’s youth.

President Wickremesinghe consistently emphasizes the importance of nurturing the education of the country’s children and advocates for essential reforms in this domain. In alignment with this vision, the ministry is meticulously executing a well-structured approach to propel these initiatives forward, marked by a series of innovative reforms in the education sector,” he said.

The State Minister revealed that under the guidance of the Minister of Education, a comprehensive educational reform program has already been set in motion, encompassing updated curricula. 

“Globally, the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education system has garnered remarkable success, and presently, the government is directing its focus toward implementing the STEAM education concept. STEAM integrates science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, serving as a dynamic approach to modern education.

“The government has also developed strategic plans to equip students with technological proficiency and to facilitate learning through cutting-edge technical methodologies. Moreover, recognizing the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, the Ministry of Education has made a thoughtful decision to provide vocational, technical, and English language training to students who are awaiting the outcomes of their General and Advanced Level examinations. This initiative covers 320 schools across the nation and is scheduled to commence in January of the upcoming year. This forward-looking endeavour will empower students to gain valuable insights into their prospective careers,” he said.

The State Minister further stated that a total of 8,000 teachers have already been successfully recruited for schools, adding that moving forward, plans are in place to train and hire an additional 5,500 graduates as teachers, alongside the recruitment of 2,500 more educators specializing in second language instruction.

“The vocational training program faced disruptions due to the recent outbreak of the Covid epidemic. However, I’m pleased to inform you that all vocational training centres across the island have resumed their regular activities.

“Furthermore, concerted efforts have been undertaken to ensure that the results of the 2022 A-level examination are published before September 10th.

“In today’s context, children from all corners of the country are showcasing remarkable examination results. Additionally, a substantial number of students are achieving university qualifications. These achievements collectively reflect the evident quality of the country’s education system,” he added. (NewsWire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued a warning to teachers involved in examination paper marking.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the President said that education would be made an essential service under emergency law if teachers refuse to return to paper marking by next week.

President Wickremesinghe further emphasized that he will not allow the education of children to be taken hostage.

The President made the remarks while addressing the progress review meeting of the Education Ministry held at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (19). (NewsWire)

“Those who marked papers last time should be available now. If not, I will prosecute them & take their property also” pic.twitter.com/MMfLAW6ZDu

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) April 19, 2023

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Four teachers and two hostel matrons of a private school in Bokkawala, Kandy have been remanded for assaulting and subjecting 10 students to cruel punishments at the school’s hostel. 

The Police stated that the teachers and hostel matrons were arrested by the Children and Women’s Bureau of the Police in the Kandy Division yesterday (14).

An investigation had been launched on information that the suspects had assaulted and subjected to cruelty the 10 students, 05 girls and 5 boys, on Sunday (12).

Further investigations had revealed that the students had been allegedly assaulted and subjected to cruelty over a disciplinary issue.

The four teachers and two hostel matrons were produced before the Kandy Magistrate’s Court yesterday (14) and were remanded until 20th March 2023.

The Police stated that the affected students will be produced before the Judicial Medical Officer at the Kandy General Hospital today.

The Children and Women’s Bureau of the Police in the Kandy Division is conducting further investigations. (NewsWire) 

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The Department of Examinations has commenced accepting applications for the competitive examination pertaining to the recruitment of teachers for government and provincial schools, the Ministry of Education stated.

Issuing a statement, the Ministry stated that graduates below the age of 40 who are employed in the state sector are eligible to apply to sit for the competitive examination.

The Education Ministry further stated that this measure is being taken to primarily fill the shortage of teachers in the GCE Advanced Level classes and thereafter other vacancies in state schools. (NewsWire)

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