Don’t bring vocational training under Industries Ministry: UPFA

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

The UPFA yesterday urged the government to reverse its decision to vest the subjects of vocational training and skills development under the purview of Ministry of Industries and Commerce.  

UPFA MP Bandula Gunawardene told Parliament that the government should reverse this decision. He said several universities and vocational training institutes will come under the Ministry of Industries and Commerce as a result of this decision.  

“No country in the world has vested universities under the purview of ministry of industries,” Mr. Gunawardene said. The MP said youth in the country might be in jeopardy when universities come under a ministry which has no relevance to higher education.  

“One should not change ministerial subjects for political reasons,” he added.  

Minister P. Harrision who was on his feet at that time said he would raise the matter in the cabinet.  

Vocational Training and Skills Development subjects, which was under the purview of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was assigned to Minister of Industries and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen with effect from March 18 according to a gazette notification.