Opposition Leader Slams Minister Bimal Rathnayake’s Remarks

23-Jan-2026

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa strongly condemned remarks made by Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, who stated that opposition members should first be taught how to write essays and that those opposing the new education policy lack even Grade Five-level knowledge.

The controversy arose during the parliamentary session on 21 January after opposition members were denied the opportunity to ask supplementary questions during oral questions.

Addressing the House, Bimal Rathnayake said opposition members should first be taught parliamentary standing orders and trained to write Grade Five essays, accusing them of opposing the new Grade Six education policy for narrow political interests.

Responding, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that parliamentary questions must be answered in accordance with standing orders and that disrespectful responses were unacceptable. He stated that such attitudes were the reason the government had become embroiled in controversy over objectionable content in the new education policy.