Sajith calls for independent review of education reforms

Tuesday, 6 January 2026 02:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa

The main Opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday called for an independent investigation into recent education reforms, claiming they were introduced without due process and have weakened the country’s education system.

He said the reforms were implemented abruptly, without the publication of Green or White Papers and without a clear procedural framework. Premadasa argued that this approach stood in contrast to practices in other countries, where online and technology-driven education is governed by established safeguards, including security protocols aligned with European Union standards in jurisdictions such as the United States and the United Kingdom.

He said similar protections should have been incorporated into Sri Lanka’s reforms, adding that the manner in which they were introduced amounted to a violation of children’s rights. Premadasa said responsibility lay with politicians, the Education Minister and relevant officials, and could not be dismissed as a minor administrative lapse.

Referring to the temporary removal of the Director of the National Institute of Education over an inappropriate website reference, he said the action did not address the broader issues. He maintained that the matter required a transparent and impartial inquiry rather than ad hoc administrative decisions.

Premadasa also said the reforms contained substantive errors, including the exclusion of History as a subject, and called for these to be corrected. He added that concerns raised by the Opposition should not be misconstrued, stressing that education reform should be properly structured while making effective use of new technology.

Navin Dissanayake appointed UNP Vice Chairman

Navin Dissanayake

Navin Dissanayake has been appointed Vice Chairman of the United National Party for 2026. The appointment was confirmed by UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in a letter to Dissanayake, which also stated that he will serve on the party’s Working Committee in line with the party constitution.