“Quality Education Requires Infrastructure, Not Just Curriculum”: Sri Lanka PM Harini Amarasuriya Vows Long-Term Reform
By Lions Roar News Education Desk
CHILAW, SRI LANKA (Saturday, January 17, 2026) — Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a “developed citizen” through a complete overhaul of the national education system. Speaking at a special ceremony today, the Prime Minister emphasized that true quality in education cannot be achieved through curriculum changes alone, but must include a massive investment in infrastructure for both students and teachers.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while visiting Senanayake National College in Chilaw, a school that recently suffered significant damage during the devastating Cyclone Ditva.
🏗️ Beyond the Classroom: A Massive Undertaking
Dr. Amarasuriya noted that while the public often focuses on what is taught in books, the environment in which students learn is equally critical.
- The Holistic Approach: The Prime Minister stated that providing “quality education” means ensuring every school has the necessary facilities, technology, and support systems for its educators.
- A Time-Intensive Goal: She warned that this is a “massive task” that will take time to fully implement across the island, requiring patience and sustained effort.
- National Vision: The ultimate goal is to produce citizens who are not only academically capable but globally competitive and socially responsible.
🌪️ Rising from the Storm
The visit to Senanayake National College was particularly poignant. The school was one of the hardest hit by Cyclone Ditva, yet its students have continued to excel.
- Honoring Resilience: During her visit, the Prime Minister participated in an awards ceremony to honor students of the college who achieved all-island victories in various fields despite the recent hardships.
- Recovery Efforts: Dr. Amarasuriya personally inspected the damage caused by the cyclone and assured the school community that the government is prioritizing the reconstruction of educational facilities damaged by the disaster.
🎓 “A Developed Citizen for a Developed Nation”
Addressing the gathering of parents, teachers, and award-winning students, the Prime Minister highlighted that the government is striving to ensure that every child, regardless of their location, has access to the same high standard of learning.
“We are working to ensure a quality education that produces a developed citizen suitable for the country. This involves not just a change in the curriculum, but providing all the infrastructure facilities needed by students and teachers. It is a massive task that will take some time, but it is a journey we have begun.” — PM Harini Amarasuriya
