Efforts underway to accelerate education reforms, foster entrepreneurship: Govt.

Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando

Harini Amarasuriya

Chathuranga Abeysinghe

Pix by Nisal Baduge

Sri Lanka will accelerate education reforms and foster innovation to prepare the economy for rapid technological and structural change, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said last week, pledging a policy environment that supports startups and attracts investment.

“The future strength of Sri Lanka’s economy will not rely on traditional sectors alone,” Amarasuriya said at the launch of the National Institute of Business Management’s (NIBM) New Ventures initiative in Colombo. 

“Our greatest national resource is not material but human. The ideas, skills and energy of our young people will determine the direction of our economy and our society.”

She said the government was committed to creating a framework that encourages entrepreneurship, attracts domestic and foreign capital, and reduces unnecessary administrative barriers for entrepreneurs. Such measures were essential to align the country’s recovery with long-term growth, she said.

Amarasuriya emphasised that Sri Lanka’s education system was undergoing comprehensive reforms designed to shift from rote learning and examination-driven outcomes toward a model that prioritises creativity, innovation and real-world application of knowledge.

“Our education system needs to produce the kinds of citizens who can take us to the next level of development that our country so desperately needs. The reforms that we are seeking to implement aim to equip students with skills, flexibility, confidence to navigate a rapidly changing world and also with a sense of social responsibility and citizenship,” she said.

The Prime Minister also called for stronger links between academia, industry and policymakers, noting that such collaboration would strengthen Sri Lanka’s competitiveness at a time when global shifts were reshaping traditional industries. She underscored that opportunities must not be confined to urban centres or select groups, but extended across society. 

“These opportunities are not for a limited few but are available to as many of our young people as possible,” Amarasuriya said.

The success of initiatives aligned with these priorities will directly contribute to the success of our country, she added, linking innovation and entrepreneurship to national goals of economic recovery, social stability and sustainable development.

Following the Prime Minister’s remarks, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando, said Sri Lanka must act swiftly to remain competitive in the global economy. 

“We need to take the leap forward to catch the world. Incubation programs are vital because they turn failures into platforms for success,” he said. However, he cautioned that technology and artificial intelligence should be directed toward value creation for people, and not to define human behavior.

Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, meanwhile, outlined the government’s plans to establish a national startup ecosystem. 

“Over the next two years, institutional changes will establish a data-driven startup ecosystem with incubators across the island.”

The government also intends to expand access to funding, technology and market connectivity, while ensuring opportunities extend beyond Colombo, he added.