Harini Amarasuriya Opens Rs. 55 Million School Building in Polonnaruwa

Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has reiterated the government’s commitment to building an education system that enables every child to benefit fully from learning.

She made the remarks on October 24, 2026, at the opening of a newly constructed two-storey building at Vijitha Primary School in Polonnaruwa.

Built with approximately Rs. 55 million in government funding, the new building consists of eight primary classrooms. Following the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister spoke with students and inspected the new classroom facilities. She also discussed academic and welfare-related issues affecting students’ learning.

Dr. Amarasuriya said education reform requires more than changes to school curricula, emphasising the need for improved infrastructure, teacher training and suitable school environments. She said the government would introduce new curricula in stages, taking into account the readiness of the school system.

The government’s objective, she said, is to create quality school environments where children can learn freely and happily, teachers can teach effectively, and student safety is ensured. Improving classroom space, equipment and other facilities in primary schools would also receive attention.

The Prime Minister added that the government hoped to allocate more funding for education reforms in the coming years, depending on the country’s economic stability. Education and healthcare would remain important priorities, she said.

She also revealed that legal work had begun towards establishing an Education Council to strengthen professionalism and quality in the education sector. In addition, school curricula and teacher education programmes at National Colleges of Education are being revised to align with the proposed reforms.

Dr. Amarasuriya said the government aimed to address institutional challenges, infrastructure deficiencies and human resource shortages across the education system. She stressed that producing citizens equipped with knowledge, skills and positive values was a key responsibility of education.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of teachers’ commitment and the support of parents and communities in ensuring quality education, particularly at rural schools.