No Reference to Same-Sex Education in New Education Policy: Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya

05-Jan-2026

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There is no connection between legislation relating to same-sex issues and the new education policy, and no reference to same-sex education is included anywhere in the policy, Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Government Information Department on Jan 4, she said certain misleading interpretations are unacceptable and raised concerns that some groups may be acting deliberately to undermine the new education policy.

She stated that the new education reforms will be implemented starting from the upcoming school term. More than 5,000 teachers have been trained on the new education policy, and none raised concerns at that time regarding the controversial content in the Grade 6 textbook, possibly due to lack of awareness.

Once the issue came to light, the relevant textbooks were sealed in warehouses and not distributed to schools. A three-member committee was appointed to investigate the matter, and its report has now been received. Appropriate action will be taken at the ministerial level.

Internal investigations have also been conducted through the National Institute of Education, while the Secretary to the Ministry of Education has lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department. 

Concerns remain that certain groups may be acting in a planned manner to destabilize the education reform process.

The Prime Minister reiterated that there is no connection between same-sex legislation and the new education policy, and that claims suggesting otherwise are incorrect. The new education policy will be implemented in four phases, with reforms aimed at aligning free education with future global demands and a competitive workforce.

She noted that criticism is not unusual when pursuing reform, and clarified that the policy was not introduced as a condition for receiving funds from institutions such as the Asian Development Bank or the International Monetary Fund. The new education policy was clearly outlined in the government’s election manifesto.