Disagreements between President and Harin Fernando hinder the progress of education

21-Jul-2025

.

Varuna Rajapaksa, organizer of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) in Gampaha District, stated that disagreements between President and Prime Minister Harin Fernando are hindering the progress of Sri Lanka’s education reform initiative. 

He urged that internal differences be resolved before presenting the reforms to the public.

He said that former ministers Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and Susil Premajayantha had earlier conducted extensive stakeholder consultations, but the current administration abruptly adopted outdated proposals from over 40 years ago, without proper discussion or input from the education sector.

Conflicting statements have emerged: The Deputy Education Minister claims that subjects like History and Aesthetics will become optional, while the Education Minister insists they will remain compulsory. 

The President has reportedly suggested closing schools with fewer than 50 students, a move opposed by the Prime Minister.

Rajapaksa emphasized that such reforms should be built on consensus with all relevant parties to avoid backlash and criticism from educational stakeholders. He blamed the government's incompetence and lack of transparency for the current controversy.