2026-07-16
An awareness programme for Hon. Members of Parliament on the National Policy on Preschool Education, child protection, corporal punishment and its legal framework, and the importance of positive discipline was held in Parliament recently (July 08).
The programme was conducted under the patronage of Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj and Hon. Deputy Minister Dr. Namal Sudarshana, with the participation of a number of Ministers and Members of Parliament.
During the programme, Director (Preschool Education) of the Ministry of Education, Ms. K.D.T. Wimalasiri, delivered a presentation on the National Policy on Preschool Education. She revealed that preschool education reforms are scheduled to be implemented from 2027 and that, in line with the new curriculum framework, a Preschool Teacher's Guide and a Model Activity Book are expected to be launched in August under the patronage of Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
She further stated that the National Institute of Education plans to train 108 master trainers for preschool teacher training, who will subsequently train a further 556 trainers at the provincial level. Accordingly, nearly 35,000 preschool teachers identified across the country are expected to undergo a ten-day training programme during November and December this year. This initiative will facilitate the implementation of preschool teaching under a common curriculum framework. She also noted that an assessment and regulatory framework for preschools is being developed and that the National Policy on Preschool Education is expected to be enacted into law by next year.
Mrs. Wimalasiri further stated that the policy had been formulated with the contributions of several key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the National Institute of Education, and the National Education Commission.
Chairperson of the National Child Protection Authority, Ms. Preethi Inoka Ranasinghe, Director (Law Enforcement) Attorney-at-Law Sajeevani Abeykoon, Director (Legal) Attorney-at-Law Preethika Sakalasuriya of the National Child Protection Authority, and Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Darshani Hettiarachchi also delivered presentations. They briefed Members on a range of matters, including child protection and the role of the National Child Protection Authority, the proposed legal amendments to abolish corporal punishment, the impact of punitive disciplinary practices on child development, and the importance of promoting positive discipline in place of discipline based on fear of punishment.
The officials further pointed out that Sri Lanka is currently undertaking legal and policy reforms aimed at preventing violence against children and eliminating corporal punishment. They also noted that the National Child Protection Authority is taking steps to strengthen its regulatory and coordinating role. It was further explained that amendments have been proposed to the Penal Code to abolish corporal punishment and that, as a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Sri Lanka is internationally committed to preventing physical and psychological violence against children.
Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj expressed her appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed to the formulation of the National Policy on Preschool Education. She emphasised that legal reforms should not be directed against any particular group and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to taking every possible measure to ensure the protection and well-being of children.
The programme was well received by the Hon. Members of Parliament, who were also given the opportunity to express their views and make suggestions.
2026-10-23
Of the Rs. 25,000 million allocated for the ‘Prajashakthi’ National Poverty Eradication Programme, Rs. 23,000 million has been allocated for projects identified by Community Development Councils at the district level, while the remaining Rs. 2,000 million is being utilised to implement medium-scale projects identified at the national level, according to a written response tabled in Parliament by Hon. Dr. Upali Pannilage, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment.These details were revealed in the Minister’s response to questions raised by Hon. Ajith Gihan, Member of Parliament, seeking oral answers.According to the response tabled in Parliament, under the Prajashakthi National Programme, a total of 15,725 projects valued at Rs. 24,221.38 million have been initiated. Of these, 15,316 projects are being implemented under livelihood development, 273 projects under education, and 136 projects under health. Community Development Councils established at the Grama Niladhari Division level are responsible for identifying projects that directly address the multidimensional poverty identified in their respective districts and Divisional Secretariat Divisions. These projects are being implemented under several key areas, including the production economy, food security, social environment, human resource development, care and protection, supply networks, and accessibilityAll these projects are scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2026.Meanwhile, specialized projects for schoolchildren with disabilities are being implemented by the Department of Social Services and the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities. The Ministry of Education and other line ministries also provide financial assistance and other concessions to schoolchildren with disabilities.In addition, specialized projects, financial assistance, concessions and welfare programmes are being implemented to empower persons with disabilities and their families.
2026-10-22
A range of research activities is being carried out to improve productivity in pepper cultivation, including studies on genetic characterisation and evaluation, disease and pest management, crop improvement, plant nutrition management, agronomic practices, post-harvest technology, value addition and measures to minimise the impact of climate change, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne said.The Deputy Minister made these remarks in Parliament while responding to questions raised for oral answers by Hon. Sarath Kumara, Attorney-at-Law, Member of Parliament.He further stated that Gampaha, Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Hambantota, Kurunegala, Badulla, Monaragala, Ratnapura and Kegalle have been identified as the main pepper-producing districts in Sri Lanka.The pepper varieties currently cultivated in the country include the local variety, Panniyur 1 and local selections such as Dingiri Rala, Kohukumbure Rala and Bootawe Rala.Several programmes have been introduced to expand pepper cultivation. These include the free provision of planting materials, investment assistance for establishing new cultivations, the distribution of free pepper plants under small-scale home gardening programmes, and the provision of technical knowledge and other assistance to improve productivity.Measures are also being taken to help pepper cultivation adapt to changing climatic conditions through the introduction of suitable irrigation methods. In addition, investment assistance is provided for equipment and systems to prevent animal damage, while efforts are being made to strengthen disease and pest management.The Deputy Minister noted that Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are being promoted to ensure that pepper products meet international standards. Investment assistance is also provided for post-harvest technology and equipment to improve product quality and encourage the production of value-added products.Furthermore, initiatives are being implemented to convert pepper cultivations into organic farming systems to facilitate access to overseas markets. Technical guidance and investment assistance are provided to obtain the necessary organic certification and other relevant certifications. The establishment of export-oriented agricultural villages is another measure being pursued to expand the sector.The Deputy Minister further stated that farmers are provided with knowledge on pepper cultivation through media channels and awareness programmes. In addition, advisory services are offered to pepper producers to support exports, while initiatives are being implemented to connect producers with suppliers and buyers.
2026-10-22
The total length of electric fences currently in place covering wildlife elephant corridors and surrounding areas in Sri Lanka is 5,787.89 kilometres, while the construction of such electric fences is carried out along the boundaries of wildlife reserves, depending on the physical conditions prevailing in the respective areas, according to a response tabled in Parliament by Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi.The above information was revealed in response to Questions for Oral Answers raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Prof. L.M. Abeywickrama.According to the response, a 27-member committee has been appointed with Cabinet approval to formulate plans for 2026 to address the human-elephant conflict and threats posed by wild elephants. The committee is currently preparing the relevant plan.A total of Rs. 618.89 million was spent during 2025 on the construction and maintenance of electric fences. The expenditure covered the construction of electric fences, guard huts, purchase of electric fence equipment, food allowances for Civil Security personnel and fuel for the maintenance of electric fences, maintenance equipment, as well as the maintenance of electric fences.
2026-10-22
A total of 10,611 prisoners and 28,408 suspects are currently held in prisons, while the highest number of prisoners—3,423—are between the ages of 30 and 40, Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, said.The Minister made this revelation in Parliament on the Oct. 21st, in response to a Question for Oral Answers raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Rohitha Abeygunawardena.According to the Minister, 2,860 prisoners are between the ages of 40 and 50, while 2,160 prisoners are between 20 and 30 years of age. A further 1,561 prisoners are between the ages of 50 and 60.Meanwhile, statistics presented by the Minister regarding prisoners incarcerated for failing to pay fines revealed that 1,454 prisoners are currently in prison because they are unable to pay the fines imposed on them. Of this number, 421 prisoners owe fines ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000, while 220 prisoners owe fines between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 25,000.In addition, 361 prisoners are serving prison sentences due to their inability to pay fines ranging from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000, while 245 prisoners owe fines between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 100,000. The number of prisoners unable to pay fines exceeding Rs. 100,000 stands at 207, according to the statistics presented in Parliament.
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