President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday (March 11) underscored the importance of education instilling resilience in children, encouraging them to confront challenges with unwavering principles.

He also highlighted the significance of education beyond textbooks, encompassing sports, leadership and the exploration of emerging fields like artificial intelligence (AI).

Wickremesinghe made these remarks while attending the “Sesquicentennial Banquet” of Wesley College Colombo Monday night at the Shangri-La Hotel Colombo as the chief guest, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

In his address, the President announced plans to promote AI education in schools, underscoring the government’s commitment to investing in AI research and development. He expressed a desire to support private schools that have historically played a vital role in the country’s education system.

Looking ahead, the President pledged to work closely with Wesley College and other educational institutions to navigate challenges and implement reforms aimed at improving the education system. He emphasized the need to prioritize the resumption of academic activities disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and enhance English language education in schools.

Further, his remarks reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting educational institutions and fostering a conducive environment for learning and innovation.