Free education is one of the most valuable assets of Sri Lanka and a cornerstone of the country’s welfare state. Despite numerous challenges, hardships, and obstacles, free education was incorporated into state policy to ensure equal access to education for all citizens, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated.
He recalled that when free education was first introduced, sections of the elite strongly opposed it, arguing that the labour force required for estate work, including coconut plucking, would be lost. Nevertheless, free education was achieved despite these objections, with the aim of creating an educated, intelligent, knowledgeable, and virtuous generation. However, he noted that today, under the guise of education reforms, civilisation and morality are being eroded, while unusual, vulgar, immoral, and obscene elements are being introduced into the education system.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa made these remarks in a special statement issued today, drawing attention to the ongoing issues surrounding education reforms.
He emphasised that Sri Lanka’s education system does require reforms, including transformational changes that integrate new technology and artificial intelligence. He further stated that free education must be strengthened with a greater focus on English language education. However, such reforms must be carried out through proper, structured, and efficient discussions, without haste or panic, while obtaining public opinion and ensuring that future generations are nurtured with strong morals, justice, and values.
He attributed the root cause of the current crisis to the arrogance of the government.
According to the Opposition Leader, the government has embarked on an education reform process without adequate consultation or appropriate methodology. As a result, obscenity has been introduced instead of moral values, and free education has become a victim of these ill-conceived reforms.
He stated that the inclusion of obscene content in free education is not a far-fetched accusation. Therefore, the government must recognise the seriousness of the issue, immediately halt these irregular and improper education reforms, and regularise the process. He also called for an independent and impartial investigation into the inclusion of obscene material in educational modules, stressing that internal investigations would be insufficient.
Violation of Children’s Rights
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stressed that Sri Lanka, as a responsible nation, has an obligation to protect children’s rights and has even signed international conventions to uphold them. He asserted that the prevalence of obscenity in current education reforms constitutes a clear violation of children’s rights. He further stated that responsibility for this situation must be clearly identified and that it is unjust to place the entire blame solely on officials.
Government Must Accept Responsibility
The Opposition Leader stated that the government must transparently acknowledge and disclose where responsibility lies. He emphasised that children’s rights should never be violated in the name of education reform and called on the authorities to explain the justification for introducing obscene content into the education system.
A Government That Has Forgotten History
He lamented that the opportunity to properly teach and learn Sri Lanka’s history has been lost, while obscenity has been brought to the forefront. Expressing deep regret over this situation, Sajith Premadasa reaffirmed that the opposition remains committed to implementing education reforms in a systematic and responsible manner while ensuring the protection of children’s rights.
