The Government of Sri Lanka has announced plans to allocate nearly Rs. 42,000 million between 2027 and 2031 to uplift the quality of vocational education, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Harini Amarasuriya said. 

According to PM Amarasuriya, of this, Rs. 4,000 million will be directed to strengthen the Vocational Training Authority (VTA).

Speaking at the 5th Diploma Convocation of the VTA held at the BMICH in Colombo, the Prime Minister said the investment aims to transform the VTA into a center of excellence in every province.

The reforms will include introducing new courses suited to global demands, updating syllabi, filling staff vacancies, and improving student facilities. She emphasized that education should not be confined to producing a workforce for the economy but should aim to elevate society to a higher level, adding that diploma holders have a role in conveying the value of vocational education to the community and future generations.

At the ceremony, 717 diploma holders who completed vocational studies across 15 courses received certificates. Addressing them, PM Amarasuriya noted that Sri Lanka’s education system has long been constrained by a narrow view of success tied to examinations, and reforms are underway to create diverse opportunities beyond traditional paths.

Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage also addressed the gathering, stressing that human resource development is central to national progress. 

He said the Government’s priority is to create varied educational opportunities that lead students to successful futures, while building confidence in the country’s youth through economic achievements. He added that diploma holders will contribute not only to personal success but also directly to the nation’s development.

The event was attended by Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwawa, VTA Chairman Vijitha Weeratunga, senior officials of the vocational education sector, directors, staff of the VTA, and parents. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arun Hemachandra, yesterday participated in the official launch of the vocational skills training programs at the Trincomalee Remand Prison.

The vocational skills training programs are being provided under the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) Framework, in collaboration with the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA).

The program was launched during Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra’s visit to the Trincomalee Remand Prison yesterday, during which he inspected the overall conditions and welfare facilities.

This initiative was made possible through the coordination of the Assistant Superintendent of the Prison, the Chairman of the Prison Welfare Society, and the District Manager of NAITA. 

Deputy Minister Hemachanra said rehabilitation must be rooted in dignity, adding, “By equipping inmates with nationally recognized vocational skills, we are not only offering hope, we are addressing the deeper social crisis that fuels marginalization and recurrence.”

“A prison term should not be the end of a life story — it can be the beginning of a new chapter, if society has the courage to offer a skill. We remain committed to transforming our correctional institutions into platforms for reform, readiness, and return,” he added. (Newswire)

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The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has commended the Vocational Training Authority for the progress made in accordance with the recommendations given during the previous COPE meetings.

According to the Parliament, the Sri Lanka Vocational Training Authority was summoned before the COPE Committee recently (Aug.09) under the Chairmanship of MP (Prof.) Ranjith Bandara.

The progress of implementing the COPE recommendations given on March 23 and on May 09 were reviewed at the meeting.

Secretary of the Ministry of Education Nihal Ranasingha, Chairman of the Vocational Training Authority, Air Vice Marshal Prasanna Ranasinghe, and others were present at the meeting.

During the meeting, the COPE Committee also focussed on the following matters.

Compact Plan of the Authority

The Chair of the Authority stated that after holding a preliminary workshop to prepare the composite plan of the authority, a composite plan was prepared for the year 2023-2027 and the Board of Directors approved it.

Vacancies in other posts including Director General

It was disclosed that steps have been taken to fill the vacant post of Director General and the interview will be held in the future. Furthermore, since the authority to give approval for recruitment has been reassigned to the Management Services Department, the Chair informed to take the necessary steps to fill the remaining 6 main posts and other vacancies.

Recruiting students aiming at the job market

The Chairman of the Vocational Training Authority said that 35,000 students have been recruited this year targeting the domestic and foreign job markets. It was also recommended to prepare a formal program to improve it and issue an internationally recognized certificate to the already skilled workers.

The Chairman of the Authority stated that they will work according to the job demand from South Korea, Oman and other countries and will pay more attention to the areas where the job demand is high. It was disclosed that an agreement with the Foreign Employment Bureau is currently in place and the data of nearly 2000 skilled workers has been provided.

The COPE Chair emphasized the need to direct the youth who drop out of school to proper vocational training. It was disclosed that a new program has been started by the Ministry of Education and the pilot project was recently held at Dharmaraja College in Kandy. Accordingly, it was recommended to start new courses to suit the job market.

Issues including salaries of course instructors

The Committee emphasized the need for these institutions to become self-revenue generating instead of being maintained by the treasury. (Fee Levying system) Furthermore, since the payments made to the consultants are not sufficient, attention was paid to problems such as consultants leaving the service. Accordingly, the following recommendations were made.

• To increase the salaries of consultants and to attract qualified people for it
• Using the money collected through the courses by the Authority itself to increase the payment of instructors (Fee Levying system)
• Initiate a new program to train counsellors and give them some professional qualifications.

The COPE Chair instructed to take necessary steps in consultation with the Management Services Department to increase the payment of consultants.

State Minister Shantha Bandara, Members of Parliament Dayasiri Jayasekara, Eran Wickramaratne, Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi, (Major) Sudarshana Denipitiya, (Mrs.) Rajika Wickramasinghe, and Madhura Withanage, were present at the Committee meeting. (NewsWire)

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The Education Ministry is considering introducing a vocational training course for students awaiting results of the GCE Ordinary Level Examinations.

According to Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha, the vocational training course will be conducted during the three months between the completion of the exam and releasing of exam results. 

Minister Premajayantha further stated that the Education Ministry expects to conduct the course within the respective schools of the students.

He added that the training program will be launched at the school level with an aim to meet the labour demand in the global market. 

The Minister made the remarks while participating in an awards ceremony of the Ceylon German Technical Training Institute in Colombo yesterday (July 16). (NewsWire)

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