Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya announced that a new initiative aimed at eliminating the existing disparities among schools across the country will be launched in 2026 as a key objective of the forthcoming education reform. 

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering of the NPP movement, held at the Irattaperiyakulam Town Hall in Vanni District on April 20.
The Prime Minister further emphasized that every child will be guaranteed the right to thirteen years of uninterrupted education, ensuring that no child is left behind with the introduction to an education system that shifts from the current exam-centric education model to a more inclusive and comprehensive education system in the near future.

The Prime Minister stated that in order to achieve a broader transformation in the education sector, the changes to the school curriculum, teaching methodologies, examination systems, classroom design, and educational infrastructure should be implemented and that this year national budget has allocated the highest-ever investment in the history of Sri Lanka for the advancement of education.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of enhancing teacher training in preparation for the new education reforms and improving the facilities at teacher training institutions. Further, the prime minister announced that the Sinhala-medium Teacher Training College in the Vavuniya District, which has remained closed for several years, will be rapidly renovated and reopened under the budget provisions.

The Prime Minister reiterated that the vision of the NPP led government is to establish an education system that fosters the development of essential life skills, strengthens the character of students, and ensures the true realization of the goals of a free and empowering education.

The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development, Upali Samarasinghe, Vavuniya District Members of Parliament S. Thilakanathan and M. Jegatheeswaran, along with NPP candidates of the Vavuniya East Pradeshiya Sabha and a large number of local residents.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

The Central Province Deputy Inspector General of Police Sudath Masinghe has said that nearly 300,000 devotees have paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic during the first 03 days of the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’.

Long queues continue as the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’ enters the 04th day today (April 21).

Meanwhile, Kandy District Secretary – Indika Udawatta has said that a special programme will be kicked off to broaden services provided to devotees arriving at the city for the special exposition.

Kandy Municipal Health Officer Pasan Parakum Jayasinghe has also said that registrations had been granted for 820 ‘dansals’ which have come forward to offer food and beverages to devotees.

He said that with the increase in the number of devotees, registrations for ‘dansals ‘are also increasing rapidly and the registration can be done easily by visiting the official website of the Kandy Municipal Council.

Today (April 21) marks 06 years since the brutal Easter Sunday bombings in 2019, with special church services held to remember the victims.

A special service led by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith commenced at 8:40 am at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade, attended by religious leaders, ambassadors, and victims and their families.

In addition, all churches across the island observed a two-minute silence.

On April 21, 2019, Sri Lanka was shattered after a string of suicide bombings were carried out in several locations including churches in the island. The bombings claimed over 270 lives and left over 500 injured.

(Pic courtesy : Adaderana)