Wimal Weerawansa Launches Satyagraha Protest in Front of Education Ministry
14-Jan-2026.
The government must immediately withdraw the new education policy. I will continue the satyagraha protest until the Prime Minister resigns.
Emphasising that the new education policy is unnecessary for the country, National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa launched a satyagraha protest in front of the Ministry of Education in Battaramulla, together with members of the Parents’ Association.
Wimal Weerawansa stated that he would not abandon the satyagraha protest until Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya resigns from the post of Minister of Education. He said he would continue the protest until a solution is reached, noting that he staged a hunger strike previously and is now engaging in a satyagraha protest. He added that even if he were to leave, a thousand others would come forward.
National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa launched the satyagraha protest in front of the Ministry of Education on January 12, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya from the position of Minister of Education.
Arriving at the Ministry of Education at around 9.00 a.m. with members of the Parents’ Association, Wimal Weerawansa first paid floral tribute to the statue of former Education Minister C.W.W. Kannangara, regarded as the father of free education, located in front of the Ministry.
Thereafter, he signed a public petition calling for the removal of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and commenced the satyagraha protest.
Addressing the media, Wimal Weerawansa stated that the government has introduced a new education reform policy that would dismantle free education. He alleged that the Education Minister prepared the new policy without holding any discussions with Buddhist religious leaders, subject experts, or civil society representatives.
He further claimed that if the new education policy is implemented, free education would be destroyed and students’ futures would be ruined. He accused the Prime Minister of acting against the country’s culture and functioning as a representative of Western countries, stating that she is unsuitable for Sri Lanka. He also alleged that even after coming to power, she continues to function as a representative of a non-
governmental organisation led by Bhagyajothi Saravanamuttu.
Commenting on the controversial content included in school textbooks, he said the Prime Minister claims investigations will be conducted. He added that there is no need to lodge a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department, stating that if she stood in front of a mirror, she would recognise the culprit.
He further said that Minister Lal Kantha becomes enraged whenever the Prime Minister is criticised and that they are well aware of the reason for his anger. He concluded by stating that the satyagraha protest would continue until Harini Amarasuriya resigns from the post of Minister of Education.
