Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has announced plans to modernize Sri Lanka's education system with greater emphasis on skills development and experiential learning, while maintaining the country's academic strengths.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has called for comprehensive reforms to Sri Lanka's education and assessment systems, advocating for a shift away from examination-centred approaches toward broader skill development and experiential learning. Speaking at a public lecture in Colombo titled "250 Years of Educational Excellence: Lessons from a Sri Lankan American," the Prime Minister outlined the government's vision for modernizing education to better serve contemporary and future needs.
The proposed reforms aim to reduce excessive reliance on examinations while promoting activity-based and experiential learning methodologies. According to the Prime Minister's Office, these changes represent a key component of ongoing education modernization efforts. Notably, the Prime Minister emphasized that the reforms would not diminish the strengths of Sri Lanka's existing system, which has historically produced academically accomplished students, but rather build upon those foundations.
Beyond assessment restructuring, the government plans to enhance digital literacy among teachers, principals and parents. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of according equal recognition to both academic and vocational education pathways, reflecting a more inclusive approach to student development and career preparation.
International collaboration will be instrumental in implementing these reforms, with the Prime Minister acknowledging the contributions of visiting experts such as Dr. Priyanvada Abeywickrama, a Fulbright Specialist. The event was organized by the United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission, which has facilitated academic and professional exchanges since 1952. The government has committed to partnering with both local and international experts to establish an education system that is more inclusive, contemporary and prepared for future challenges.
