In addition, the approval of Secretary to the Ministry of Education and the authorization of Provincial Educational Secretary needed to hold school premises for external activities in national schools and provincial schools respectively, the minister said responding to a question raised by UNP Ratnapura District MP Thalatha Atukorale.

The minister said that holding exhibitions, screening movies, holding camps or various carnivals in schools premises by any governmental or non-governmental organization except for the Ministry of Educations could not be permitted if such activities were conducted at the cost of children’s education. No school premises would be permitted for political activities.

Minister Gunawardena said that a circular had been issued instructing the educational authorities to follow a specific course of action when granting permission to provide buildings and playgrounds of schools for external activities. Such permissions could be granted only during the first school term. Action would be taken to send a team of inspectors to investigate any violations of the provisions of the circular and due action would be taken on the basis of the results of the investigation, the minister added. (Special Reporter/HC)