USD 20 Mn China-Sri Lanka agreement signed to digitalise general education sector

Colombo, June 25 (Daily Mirror) - An agreement between China and Sri Lanka to implement a project aimed at digitalising the country’s general education sector was officially signed today (25) at the Ministry of Education.

Under the agreement, China will provide USD 20 million in funding for the project.

The initiative follows a decision during President’s official visit to China in January this year, where both countries agreed to expedite the implementation of the digital education programme.

Accordingly, a proposal submitted by the Minister of Education to supply equipment to 500 selected schools and establish a model smart classroom under the project was recently approved by the Cabinet. 

In addition, a Network Operations Management Unit, Programme Operations Room and Conference Room will be set up at the Ministry of Education premises in Isurupaya as part of the initiative.

The agreement is expected to directly support the comprehensive education reform process scheduled to commence in 2026.

The signing ceremony was attended by Zhang Guanbin, Director General of the International Economic Cooperation Organisation of China’s Ministry of Commerce, Ms. Hao Jinping, Deputy Head of Department, Don Yixuan, Project Officer, officials of the Chinese Embassy in Colombo, as well as Dr. Madura Seneviratne, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and other senior officials.