Nothing to discuss with Govt on grade VI English module controversy: Namal

Colombo, January. 10 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa on Sunday said there was nothing to discuss with the government over the controversy surrounding alleged inappropriate references in the Grade VI English Language module introduced under the new education reforms.

Addressing the media after participating in a Buddhist religious sermon organised by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), MP Rajapaksa alleged that the Prime Minister and the relevant subject minister were aware of who was responsible for inserting the disputed content into the module. He further claimed that both had acknowledged that incorrect material had been included in the Grade VI English textbook.

“As the SLPP, we stood against attempts to damage Sri Lankan culture and have consistently stated that education reforms which are not relevant to our country are unnecessary,” he said. “Sri Lanka needs education reforms that are suitable for our own social and cultural context, not reforms copied from foreign countries.”

MP Rajapaksa also accused the current government of shifting blame to the previous administration following criticism over the new education reforms, claiming that the government had failed in their implementation.

However, he said the SLPP would introduce appropriate education reforms aimed at national development once it returned to power.