Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, has declared a national renaissance in education, unveiling a major shift in policy that places vocational training at the heart of the country’s future workforce development. Speaking at Gampaha Technical College, she outlined how 2026 reforms will integrate vocational skills into school curricula, changing long-held public perceptions and ensuring the nation’s youth are empowered through practical, purpose-driven education.
PM Harini Amarasuriya Champions Vocational Education as Backbone of Sri Lanka’s Economic Renaissance
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has announced a powerful new focus on vocational education as a critical component of Sri Lanka’s national development strategy, vowing to reform the outdated perception that technical education is a fallback option.
Speaking at the Gampaha Technical College during the launch of the “Labor Mission” (Shrama Mission) program an initiative led in collaboration with the Clean Sri Lanka Project, Dr. Amarasuriya made it clear that vocational education will take center stage in the government’s 2026 education reforms.
“The human resources needed for the renaissance we envision are created through schools,” the Prime Minister said, addressing a large gathering of educators, students, and stakeholders. “Yet, we as a nation have paid insufficient attention to the vocational education sector.”
The Shrama Mission, initiated by Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage, seeks to build a formal and attractive institutional framework across Sri Lanka’s vocational education institutions. It aims to uplift both the image and impact of technical colleges and training centers islandwide.
Dr. Amarasuriya strongly criticized the outdated social view that vocational or technical education is a “last resort” for students who cannot access universities or mainstream academic streams.
“That is a very wrong idea. Choosing vocational education is an extremely important and intelligent decision. It must be based on a student’s capabilities, desires, and worldview not on failure or coincidence.”
She emphasized that vocational education must become a proactive and aspirational choice, not a passive fallback. “Our reforms in 2026 will ensure vocational pathways are embedded in the school system itself,” she added, noting that preparing a skilled workforce for the modern era begins early with guidance, exposure, and respect for all educational choices.
“Reforming education is not just about changing syllabi or subjects. It’s about transforming how we think about knowledge, employment, and national growth,” she said.
The reforms under her ministry will work to make vocational education an integral part of Sri Lanka’s school curriculum, opening doors for students to gain hands-on experience, job-ready skills, and a clear pathway to industry leadership.
Highlighting the importance of early decision-making, the Prime Minister added:
“The decision to pursue vocational education should not be made out of ignorance or at the last minute. It must be a well-thought-out choice that reflects one’s ambitions and identity.”
This shift in education philosophy comes at a time when Sri Lanka is striving to recover from years of economic and social challenges. As the country positions itself for growth in key sectors like technology, manufacturing, construction, and agriculture, vocational education is seen as the bridge between classroom theory and real-world productivity.
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment:
“We are preparing to create the human resources needed for the renaissance era that this country urgently requires. That journey begins in our schools, through our reforms, and with the elevation of vocational education to its rightful place.”
