If the People Decide, I Am Ready to Go Home: Prime Minister Harini

25-Jan-2026

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said she is ready to step down if the people decide they want a change, emphasizing that she is accountable to the public and her conscience.

She made these remarks during the parliamentary debate on the Universities (Amendment) Bill on 23 January, calling for informed and transparent discussion on education reforms rather than politically motivated accusations.

The Prime Minister said the bill is not intended to politicize universities or undermine democracy but to address long-standing structural issues based on past recommendations and reports. She rejected opposition claims of politicization, stating that critics have failed to explain how such politicization would occur.

She urged the opposition to fully review the proposed education reforms before engaging in debate and stressed that modern education must prepare students to face national and global challenges, focusing on skills, critical thinking, and real-world relevance rather than rote memorization.

Acknowledging an error in a Grade 6 textbook, she said the government took responsibility and corrected it, criticizing the opposition for exploiting the issue to destabilize the government.

Concluding her speech, she said a no-confidence motion is unnecessary and reiterated that she is prepared to leave office if the people demand it, but called for constructive, informed debate on education reform instead of half-informed criticism.