Minister Nalinda Ready for Public Debate with Opposition Leader

16-Jan-2026

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Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stated that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa must publicly specify where allegedly obscene content appears in school textbooks, adding that he is ready for a public debate on the matter.

Clarifying the government’s position on education reforms, the Minister said that while governments can proceed with decisions in the public interest despite opposition, education policy affects principals, teachers, students, parents, and society at large, and therefore cannot be implemented unilaterally.

He emphasized that education is a sensitive issue and that the government cannot act arbitrarily despite having executive and parliamentary authority. To address concerns and allegations, the President decided to implement only one phase of the new education reforms in 2027.

He dismissed claims that the government was abolishing free education, promoting obscenity, or encouraging homosexuality, noting that misinterpretations of textbook content had been deliberately created. The Minister stated that legal action would be taken against those who intentionally created disruptions and that the new education reforms would be implemented as planned.