Led by nadaswaram music, the Prime Minister walked towards the Vel chariot and respectfully presented the offering tray. Following this, a special religious pooja was conducted by ven. Ramesh Kurukkal on a special platform set up in front of Temple Trees, invoking blessings for the Prime Minister and the country. After the blessing ceremony, accompanied again by traditional nadaswaram music, the Prime Minister was ceremonially escorted back to Temple Trees by the festival’s organizing committee. On this occasion, the Prime Minister expressed her appreciation and gratitude to the organizing committee.

The event was attended by the secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri and officials from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

We have no prior experience of a subject Minister or Secretary coming forward with such a clear understanding to conduct awareness sessions like this...

As the Maha Sangha, we deeply appreciate this dedication...

The Chief incumbent theros of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya and the Ramanna Maha Nikaya emphasized to the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya that contributing to the new education reforms is not merely a change confined to the education sector, but one that can bring about a constructive transformation for the entire nation, making it a national responsibility of the Maha Sangha.

A special discussion to brief the Chief incumbent of the Amarapura and Ramanna Maha Nikayas about the new education reforms was held on 04th of August at the headquarters of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, with the participation of the Prime Minister.

During the event, the Prime Minister and the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, presented a comprehensive explanation to the Chief incumbents on the national significance of the new education reforms, the curriculum structure, assessment procedures, and the intended objectives of the reforms and answered the questions raised by the ven. reverence.

The discussion further highlighted the specific responsibilities carried by the Ministry of Education, the National Institute of Education, the National Education Commission, the Department of Educational Publications, and the Department of Examinations, and emphasized the need for close and effective collaboration among these institutions in the implementation of the reforms.

The Maha Sangha also shared their views regarding necessary changes in Pirivena education, Dhamma school education, and the preschool education system with stressing the importance of providing greater opportunities to teach second languages in schools through the new reforms.

Moreover, the Chief incumbent Thero appreciated the clarity and commitment shown by the Prime Minister and Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa in explaining the reforms with such depth of understanding, a rare occurrence in past experiences. They also offered their blessings and commendation for their dedication and sincere efforts.

The event was graced by the presence of Mahopadyaya Sahityashuri Most Venerable Ganthune Assaji Maha Nayaka Thero of the Mahanayaka Viharavanshika Amarapura Maha Nikaya, and Aggamahapandita Most Venerable Trincomalee Ananda Maha Nayaka Thero, the Maha Nayaka of the Amarapura Dharmarakshitha Sect, Chief Secretary of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha, Darshanapathi Most Venerable Balapitiye Siriseevali Nayaka Thero representing the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya; and Chief Judicial Sangha Nayaka Aggamahapandita Professor Most Venerable Aththangane Rathanapala Nayaka Thero, Anunayaka Most Venerable Waleboda Gunasiri Nayaka Thero, and Anunayaka and retired Deputy Director of Education Most Venerable Deevela Mahinda Nayaka Thero, Chief Secretary of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, Shastrapathi Most Venerable Aththangane Sasanarathana Nayaka Thero representing the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, along with other Maha Nayaka Theros from both Nikayas. The occasion was also attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Madhura Senewiratne, Additional Secretary of Educational Services at the Ministry of Education Kamal Ariyasena, and several other distinguished officials.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, received His Excellency Paul Stephens, High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, for a farewell call at the Prime Minister’s Office on 4 August 2025.

Welcoming the High Commissioner, the Prime Minister expressed appreciation for his significant contributions in strengthening bilateral relations during his tenure. The High Commissioner commended the Government’s recent initiatives and reaffirmed Australia’s continued support for Sri Lanka’s development efforts.

During the discussion, the Prime Minister elaborated on the Government’s priorities, including strengthening institutional arrangements, reviving previously stalled projects, and the transformative potential of the ongoing education reform project. In response, the High Commissioner acknowledged the importance of such reforms, and reiterated the Australian Government’s support for Sri Lanka’s development initiatives.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from both sides. The Australian delegation included Ms. Lalita Kapur, Deputy High Commissioner, Ms. Sophie Gordon, First Secretary (Development), and Mr. Matthew Lord, Second Secretary (Political) of the Australian High Commission. The Sri Lankan delegation included Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Ms. Thiloma Abayajeewa, Deputy Director of the East Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

During the awareness-raising campaign on the new education reforms in the Northern Province, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, the Jaffna Sri Nagavihara, and the Jaffna Public Library this morning (03).

The Prime Minister received blessings at the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil this morning and stated that it was a privilege to be able to visit and receive blessings at the Nallur Kovil during the time of its annual festivity.

Visiting the Nagavihara International Buddhist Centre in Jaffna, the Prime Minister engaged in religious observances and met with the Chief Incumbent, Venerable Meegahajandure Siriwimala Nayaka Thero. During the meeting, the Prime Minister briefed Nayaka Thero on the new education reforms. The Prime Minister commended the efforts of the Nagavihara in building religious and national harmony in the Northern Province and emphasized the importance of language in national reconciliation. The Prime Minister further highlighted that, under the new education reforms, the second language has been introduced as a practical subject starting from Grade One.

Later, during an observational visit to the Jaffna Library, the Prime Minister engaged in a friendly conversation with children who were present at the library. The Prime Minister further noted that the damage caused by the burning of the Jaffna Library cannot be erased, and that the current government is taking necessary steps to develop the library under its administration.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that under the new education reforms, no child will fail, and all children will have the opportunity to continue their education toward higher studies through both academic and vocational streams.

The Prime Minister made these remarks yesterday (02), while addressing a gathering of intellectual professionals from the Northern Province, held at the Jaffna Young Men’s Catholic Association hall.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated,

The new education reform aims to allow students to advance toward higher education through both academic and vocational streams instead of moving to the traditional education system.

Some groups are spreading false information, claiming that subjects of History, Religion, and Aesthetics have been removed from the curriculum. These are baseless claims. None of these subjects, History, Religion, or Aesthetics have been removed from the curriculum in any way.

Under the new reforms, the education system will be free from the burden traditionally placed on students. Instead, it will allow children to learn without stress, encouraging them to pursue subjects they are passionate about and guiding them to select suitable career paths.

Vocational education will also be integrated into the school system, enabling students to choose between academic and vocational education based on what suits them best.

The current education reforms are not yet finalized.

The Prime Minister briefed that this is a step-by-step reform process that will continue by considering constructive suggestions and criticisms from subject experts, teachers, parents, and society keeping what is necessary and removing what is not.

The event was attended by the Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekaran, Members of Parliament from the National People’s Power (NPP), officials in the Northern Province’s education sector, and other professionals.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that there will be no obstruction whatsoever to university students engaging in protests, struggles, or student politics. However, there will be no forgiveness for those involved in violence or ragging.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a discussion held with the academic staff, administrative officers, and students following the ceremonial opening of the newly constructed library building at the University of Vavuniya.

The Prime Minister unveiled the commemorative plaque to mark the opening of the new library and also participated in an inspection tour of the new library premises. Special attention was then drawn to issues concerning university students.

Further elaborating, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

The government’s expectation is not just quantitative expansion in the field of education, but to transform universities into spaces that offer quality education producing students who can face the world and engage with it meaningfully. Universities must go beyond simply producing first-degree graduates and the government’s goal is to develop institutions that offer postgraduate education and conduct impactful, meaningful research that benefits both the nation and the world.

Over the years, our university system has expanded, but not enough attention has been drawn to the quality. We must ensure that graduates from our universities are prepared with confidence to face the global stage.

In the upcoming years, it is necessary to transform universities into postgraduate institutions, centers of teacher education, and hubs of research excellence ensuring that the quality of higher education meets international standards.

Many in this assembly may agree that universities often fail to produce graduates that meet the expectations of their institutions.

New entrants to universities frequently lack the expected quality and essential foundational skills. As a result, universities are forced to teach what should have been taught in school. This is because the responsibilities of school education are not being properly fulfilled.

This situation has placed a considerable burden on the country’s higher education system. We must not forget to ensure that the children are ready for the workforce or higher education when a child completes school.

Through the new education reform, we are working to change this situation.

At the same time, we place no restrictions on university students raising their voices, protesting, or engaging in student politics to claim their rights. However, there will be no tolerance for violence, ragging, or any act that harms the peaceful student community within universities. We are not prepared to offer forgiveness for such acts.

The government is in a policy decision to provide the facilities necessary to deliver quality education for university students at the highest standard, and is actively working toward that goal.

The event was attended by the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, academic staff, administrative officials, and students of the University of Vavuniya.

Prime Minister’s Media Division