Prime Minister (PM) Harini Amarasuriya announced that the government is planning to introduce significant reforms in the higher education sector, aligned with recent reforms in primary and secondary education.
Making these remarks in parliament in response to questions from MP Manjula Sugath Rathnayaka, the Prime Minister highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the education landscape.
She explained that a specialized expert committee, established six months ago, has been working to identify issues within higher education. Based on their report, necessary reforms will be implemented to address these challenges.
Regarding recent university admissions, the Prime Minister stated that 281,810 students sat for the 2025 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination, with 176,538 qualifying for university entry. The distribution across subject streams includes 32,935 in Biological Sciences, 23,012 in Physical Sciences, 39,608 in Commerce, 58,269 in Arts, and other specialized streams such as Engineering Technology and Bio-Systems Technology.
An estimated 42,937 students are expected to gain university admission.
The government is committed to maintaining the quality of higher education and has prioritized improving university facilities. It has also decided to keep the intake levels for first-degree admissions consistent with previous years.
In terms of new academic programs, the University of Ruhuna will introduce a course in Geographic Information Systems, while the University of Peradeniya will launch Electronic and Intelligent Systems Engineering from the 2025/2026 academic year, enrolling fifty students in each program. Preparations, including setting cut-off marks and registration procedures, are already underway.
Responding to questions about preschool education raised by MP K. Kader Mastan, the Prime Minister stated that most preschools are privately managed, limiting the government’s ability to offer permanent staff appointments or salaries. However, steps are being taken to provide allowances to volunteer teachers in selected preschools through Provincial Councils.
She also announced that by 2027, comprehensive reforms to preschool education are planned, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. A national policy to regulate preschool education, based on recommendations from the National Education Commission, is scheduled for 2026. This policy will include teacher guidelines, activity manuals, and provincial-level teacher training programs.
Regarding volunteer teachers, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that the existing policy, based on a 2007 Cabinet decision, limiting volunteer teachers to a maximum of 4,700 teacher aides, will continue to be enforced.