COLOMBO ; Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the current perspective on education is extremely narrow and that the practice of evaluating education solely based on exam results is flawed and in need of change.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the “Pankaja Student Summit 2025” of the Polonnaruwa District, held on July 13 at Royal Central College, Polonnaruwa aiming for the development of virtues among children by fostering the fundamental aspects of higher education.
Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya attended the event as Minister of Education, in response to an invitation from Praveen Maneesha Watthegama, the student Prime Minister representing Royal Central College in the National Student Parliament.
Addressing the event, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated;
We are committed to transforming the exam-centered education system to one that allows talented children to move forward through their abilities and skills.
Our President constantly emphasizes the need to build a compassionate society by nurturing sensitive children with good values. It is not enough to raise individuals who only fulfill their own duties and needs, what matters is producing students who work for the betterment of society in mind.
Today, seeing the creativity and skills of these students, I truly feel happy. I am confident that there is a highly capable group of young people ready to take on the future leadership of our country. Our goal is to nurture not only creativity but also children who are enriched with humanity. Seeing your talents has given me further encouragement. You are the ones who give us the strength to keep working. Let us all join together and commit ourselves to building a compassionate and value-driven society.
Speaking at the same event, Praveen Maneesha Watthegama, the student Prime Minister of the National Student Parliament presented his views:
We have named this student summit ’Pankaja’ (lotus), a flower that rises from the mud to symbolize the emergence of a noble new generation from a troubled society.
As a representative of the student community, I hope to present three key proposals to the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training.
Firstly, to implement the concept of student parliaments effectively in schools; secondly, to introduce a system where physical punishment is replaced with a skill-based point deduction method as a form of discipline; and thirdly, to investigate the possibility of implementing value-based programs in Sunday Dhamma schools that help shape students’ attitudes.
The event was graced by the presence of the Maha Sangha and clergy of other religions, Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramarathna, Deputy Minister of Housing Development, Construction and Housing T.B. Sarath, Members of Parliament for Polonnaruwa District Padmasiri Bandara and Sunil Rathnasiri, Principal of Royal Central College Mr. Ravilal Wijewansa, members of the school academic staff, students, and a large number of parents.
