The Education Ministry is negotiating with Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Ltd. (SLIC) over the premium for the halted student health insurance programme ‘Suraksha,’ The Sunday Morning learns.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, a high-level official at the Education Ministry said that Cabinet approval had been obtained to continue the ‘Suraksha’ student insurance scheme with SLIC. 

“The procurement process is ongoing now to negotiate a premium with SLIC. We have to appoint a procurement committee to do so,” said the official, adding that they anticipated the relaunch date to be towards end-July. 

‘Suraksha’ was initially launched in 2017 for all students between 5-21 years who were registered at Government schools, private schools, pirivenas, semi-Government schools, and international schools. 

Insurance cover was provided for a one-year period, following an annual agreement between the Education Ministry and an insurance provider. 

Previously, both SLIC and Allianz Insurance have been service providers. However, the programme abruptly came to a halt in 2022 with the onset of the economic crisis. 

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin criticised the manner in which it had been halted: “There was no announcement made and they just fooled the public by not admitting that it wasn’t functioning.” 

The Education Ministry official said that the insurance programme had been halted since 2022 as the ministry had not received approval for it, despite presenting Cabinet papers and making requests to the effect.  

“Since agreements weren’t signed, it wasn’t possible to provide insurance during that time period.”

Education Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara said that meetings were ongoing to launch the programme but declined to comment further. 

The President’s Media Division (PMD) announced last week that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had directed to resume the ‘Suraksha’ insurance programme, noting that it had been temporarily suspended due to “economic challenges”. 

“Starting from the first week of June, all students across the island will once again be able to benefit from this insurance scheme.” 

The statement further said that the 2024 Budget had allocated Rs. 2,000 million to revive the programme.