Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that it is the Government’s priority to create an environment that enables all children, without discrimination, to access the opportunities in the modern world and to confidently pursue their dreams.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the Annual Prize-Giving Ceremony for the year 2025 at St. Bernadette’s Model School, Kurunegala, during an education inspection tour in the Kurunegala District today (18).

During the event, prizes were awarded to students who had demonstrated outstanding achievements in various subjects and grades during the year 2025 by the Prime Minister, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Media Division.

The statement further said that the official school newspaper of St. Bernadette’s Model school, titled “Adarsha Prabha,” was also launched on this occasion.

Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister stated:

“When we visit schools like this and meet children and teachers such as yourselves, it strengthens our determination to ensure that education in our country is elevated to the highest standards. We want to see schools where children’s faces reflect happiness and where they are nurtured in an environment of  love and care.

“As a country, we face numerous challenges. After a prolonged period of economic downturn, we are now gradually restoring stability. Global and climate-related challenges also affect us as a nation. We can overcome these challenges if we work collectively.

“We are implementing our plans with the objective of bringing about a transformation in the education sector. This goes beyond curriculum development to a broad range of initiatives, including the strengthening of human resources and infrastructure within the education sector, thereby creating pathways for children to thrive in the new world. We must ensure that every child feels that the opportunities of the modern world are open to them and has the confidence needed to pursue their aspirations.

“We are moving forward with many new reforms in the education sector. Efforts are underway to facilitate education through digitalization and the introduction of new subjects. Further, we aim to provide students with quality education by strengthening teacher training processes.

“Following the event, the Prime Minister undertook an inspection visit to St. Bernadette’s Model Primary School, Kurunegala.”

The Prime Minister also visited Ridibendiella Gajanegama Maha Vidyalaya, Mahawa, where she held a discussion with the school’s academic staff. 

During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed her appreciation to the teachers who remain dedicated to providing education to children in the area despite challenging circumstances, it added.

The occasion was attended by the Governor of the North Western Province Tissa Warnasuriya; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne; Kurunegala District Members of Parliament Ashoka Gunasekara and Geetha Herath; Chairman of the Kurunegala Pradeshiya Sabha M.A. Wimalasiri; Chairman of the Mahawa Pradeshiya Sabha Sumedha Kumara; Chief Secretary to the  Ministry of the North Western Province Chandana Wanninayake; other government officials; and representatives of the North Western Provincial Education Authorities.