Opposition chorus grows demanding Prime Minister’s resignation over English module mishap

By Yohan Perera 

The joint opposition yesterday called on Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya to resign from her portfolio as Minister of Education, alleging responsibility for what they described as a serious error in the Grade Six curriculum. 

The demand was made by representatives of the People’s Alliance, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, Sri Lanka Mahajana Party (SLMP), the United National Party (UNP), the Nawa Janatha Peramuna, and several former Members of Parliament representing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). 

The call was made at a media briefing attended by Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader Udaya Gammanpila, former MPs Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Prof. G. L. Peiris, Indika Anuruddha, Premnath Dolawatta, Asanka Nawaratne, Sugeeswara Bandara, and UNP Treasurer Firdouse Farook. Addressing the media, Mr. Gammanpila said there was “justifiable suspicion” that the Grade Six module had been prepared with the knowledge of the Prime Minister. “There is suspicion that the Grade Six module was prepared with the knowledge of the Prime Minister. This suspicion arises because Premier Amarasuriya has been a gay rights activist and has headed an NGO advocating homosexual rights. Therefore, it is reasonable to suspect that she was aware of what had been included in the module,” he said. 

When asked whether other parties in the joint opposition endorsed his remarks, Mr. Gammanpila said all constituent parties of the joint opposition group Mahajana Handa shared the same view. 

Former MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa questioned the decision to involve the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the matter. “The primary function of the CID is to investigate crimes. Matters relating to education fall under the purview of the National Institute of Education,” he said, adding that parents had been alarmed by the Grade Six syllabus issue as well as by proposed reforms to convert teachers into lecturers. 

Former MP Indika Anuruddha said the opposition would resist what he described as unsuitable education reforms proposed by the government. 

Opposition activist Sugeeswara Bandara said his daughter, a Grade Six student, had asked him about the meaning of the word “homosexuality.” “I was shocked and wondered how I should respond to such a question,” he said. 

Former MP Premnath Dolawatta questioned whether those responsible for the syllabus issue would face disciplinary action. 

Prof. G. L. Peiris also raised concerns over what he described as the suppression of media freedom. Referring to a move by the Media Ministry to request the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission to probe a television channel, he said the ministry had no authority to cancel media licenses. “The power to cancel a license lies with the judiciary, and such action can only be taken after a proper inquiry,” he said.