PM highlights the importance of education

Colombo, Nov. 21 (Daily Mirror) - Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that education has the power to bring people together socially, politically, and economically, while allowing knowledge to be shared.

She made these remarks today (18) at a conference held at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo. The event focuses on encouraging cooperation among countries in Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific on the role of education in the Green Transition.

The conference is supported by the Erasmus+ Programme, funded by the European Union. The programme promotes international cooperation in education, training, youth, and sports. It also supports student mobility, cultural exchange, skill development, and policy improvements. In Sri Lanka, it provides opportunities for collaboration and funding in higher education, vocational training, youth programs, and partnerships between institutions. The conference will continue until the 20th of this month.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Amarasuriya pointed out that Sri Lanka’s education system has become too competitive and focused on exams.

“While our country has a high literacy rate, education today focuses too much on individual success. We must move away from this and return to the true purpose of education: sharing knowledge and encouraging learning that transforms people,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of teamwork, taking responsibility for others and the environment, and addressing misinformation and unscientific practices. “We need to change our education system from one that is only about competition into a system that promotes collaboration and responsible sharing of knowledge. This is a key challenge for Sri Lanka’s future,” she added.

The conference was attended by European Union Ambassador to Sri Lanka Carmen Moreno, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, and other regional representatives and government officials.tion and responsible knowledge-sharing is a fundamental challenge Sri Lanka must overcome for its future,” she added.

The conference was attended by European Union Ambassador to Sri Lanka Carmen Moreno, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, as well as regional representatives and government officials.