Controversial Grade Six English Lesson Sealed; Prime Minister Harini

09-Jan-2026

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The controversial lesson included in the Grade Six English textbook has been fully sealed and will not be distributed to schools, Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said. 

She urged the public not to create fear regarding the broader education reform by highlighting this isolated issue and reiterated that the government is ready to engage in open dialogue with all stakeholders on the new education reforms.

She made these remarks while responding to questions raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa during the parliamentary session held on 07 January 2026.

The Prime Minister further stated that the education concept had been discussed extensively at the National Education Advisory Council and that opposition members had also participated and presented proposals during parliamentary discussions. 

The government, she said, is willing to accept constructive proposals and engage transparently.

Investigations are currently underway at multiple levels into the irregular inclusion of the controversial content in the Grade Six English textbook. A committee headed by retired senior public servant Ranjith Ariyaratne has been appointed to conduct these inquiries.

Reiterating that the lesson has been fully sealed and not distributed to schools, she again cautioned against spreading misinformation or using the matter to undermine confidence in the overall education reform process.