Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the foundation for nurturing the intellectually developed and civilized citizens we aspire to create lies in the collective experiences students gain during their school years. She further noted that the government has ensured thirteen years of school education in order to provide students with the opportunity to gain such formative experiences.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending as the Chief Guest at the awards ceremony of the “2024/2025 All Island School Drama Competition,” organized for the 30th consecutive year by the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation, held at the Savsiripaya premises on May 15, 2026.
Elaborating further, the Prime Minister stated:
Despite victory or defeat in such competitions, the experiences students gain through participating in such arts and cultural activities are valuable in shaping not only their own lives but also the kind of citizens with morals that the country needs. However, today we can observe a growing tendency among adults to rush children through their school education and turn them into adults as quickly as possible. This is not a suitable approach for producing the refined citizens the country needs.
She further stated that under the government’s policy vision of creating “A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life,” a number of transformative changes must take place in the country. The Prime Minister stated,
Since the prevailing economic, political, and social crises are deeply intertwined with human lives, they cannot be resolved through legislation alone. A clear transformation in social attitudes is also essential.
The transformative change we seek can greatly benefit from the contribution of the arts in cultivating individuals who are intellectually and culturally refined. The education system itself must undergo transformation with the aim of nurturing creative, compassionate and capable citizens with leadership qualities, who can contribute positively to society.
Although not everyone who participates in stage during school life will become professional artists, the experiences they gain will shape them into creative and outstanding individuals within society. Reading a meaningful book or watching a quality film can guide the human mind toward positive and new ways of thinking. Such experiences foster the attitudinal growth necessary to create a new world.
Teachers and parents who create the path for such decisive and meaningful experiences in children’s lives are carrying out a significant responsibility. Only through such a younger generation with talent and sensitive mind set can become the leaders the country needs, and recognizing these talents plays a vital role in creating that foundation.
The event was attended by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake, the Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, the Director General of the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation, secretaries to the Ministry, and government officials, students.
Prime Minister’s Media Division