Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Open University is the only university within the state higher education system that allows working people to enroll in higher education at any stage of their lives, and that the Government is committed to supporting and strengthening this institution.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during a discussion held on June 05 with the academic staff, administrative officers, and public officials at the Kurunegala Regional Centre of the Open University.
The meeting focused on finding permanent solutions to several issues faced by the Kurunegala Regional Centre for a long time of period, including the lack of adequate space. Discussions were held on allocating land for future expansion, as well as improving lecture halls, infrastructure, and sanitation facilities.
Addressing at the occasion, the Prime Minister stated:
If the land required to resolve the space constraints of the Open University has already been identified, we must move forward with planning the next steps. Attention should be given to securing the necessary funding and commencing the project without delay. The Open University is the only state university that allows working people to pursue higher education at any stage of their lives. Therefore, the Government is committed to supporting its development.
Speaking to the media afterwards, the Prime Minister also highlighted several ongoing education initiatives.
The Prime Minister noted that the Government officially launched its education digitalization programme today and emphasized that education reforms are progressing steadily. Preparations are underway to introduce curriculum reforms for Grade 6 and Grade 2 in 2027. The textbooks required for the second and third school terms under this year's Grade 1 education reform have already been distributed, while teacher training programmes for next year are also being launched. The Prime Minister further stated that, following discussions with the Public Service Commission, approval has been granted to proceed with the Teacher Efficiency Bar Examinations, and the Government expects to resolve that issue within this year. The Prime Minister also announced that Cabinet approval has been received to address the salary anomalies affecting school principals, and that the Ministry is taking the necessary steps to implement the decision, thereby resolving an issue that principals have faced for many years.
The occasion was attended by the Kurunegala District Member of Parliament Dharmapriya Dissanayake and Members of Parliament, the Director of the Kurunegala Regional Centre of the Open University, Mr. Anushka Bandara, academic and administrative staff.
