Sri Lanka is gearing up for a new era of growth by accelerating education reforms and boosting entrepreneurship to prepare the nation for rapid technological and structural change. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya underscored that the country’s future strength lies not in traditional sectors, but in the creativity and innovation of its youth.
Speaking at the launch of the National Institute of Business Management’s New Ventures initiative in Colombo, Amarasuriya pledged to build a policy environment that supports startups, attracts both domestic and foreign capital, and eliminates unnecessary barriers for entrepreneurs.
“Our greatest national resource is not material but human. The ideas, skills and energy of our young people will determine the direction of our economy and our society,” she said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka’s education reforms are designed to shift away from rote learning and exam-heavy outcomes toward a system that fosters creativity, innovation and real-world problem solving. The goal, she said, is to produce citizens equipped with flexibility, confidence and social responsibility to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Amarasuriya also called for stronger collaboration between academia, industry and policymakers, noting that such partnerships would boost competitiveness while ensuring opportunities are available across society and not just in urban centers.
“These opportunities are not for a limited few but are available to as many of our young people as possible,” she added, linking innovation and entrepreneurship directly to national goals of economic recovery, social stability and sustainable development.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando stressed urgency, warning that Sri Lanka must act swiftly to stay competitive in the global economy. He pointed to incubation programs as vital platforms that turn failures into success, while reminding that artificial intelligence and technology should be directed toward value creation rather than controlling human behavior.
Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe revealed plans for a national startup ecosystem within the next two years, including island-wide incubators, access to funding, technology and market networks to ensure opportunities extend beyond Colombo.
Together, these reforms and initiatives highlight a shift in national strategy, positioning education and entrepreneurship as the twin engines driving Sri Lanka’s future growth.
