A senior Buddhist scholar warns that Sri Lanka’s new education reforms risk distorting childhood, weakening cultural values, and undermining the nation’s religious identity.
Professor Venerable Pathegama Gnanissara Thero delivered a strong critique of the government’s new education reforms during the launch of two children’s books authored by Venerable Denagama Sri Dhamma Rakkhitha Thero. The event took place at the Panipitiya Devram Vihara Auditorium, where the Professor stressed that the proposed changes were deeply troubling.
He noted that recent discussions on reforming children’s education and creating a new system include new concepts presented as making education more active. The Thero alleged that these reforms attempt to introduce gender-based lifestyles to very young children. He compared it to the idea of encouraging marriage when a child is still little, calling it an absurd and harmful approach.
Professor Gnanissara Thero further stated that the reform process was fundamentally wrong. He said the government has no religion and that those responsible for these reforms do not understand religious values. According to him, people with no understanding of religion are shaping the nation’s education system.
He also remarked that while a secular individual may ignore these concerns, Sri Lanka is not a secular country. He suggested that the reforms conflict with the cultural and spiritual foundations of the nation.
In addition, the Professor expressed regret about the voting decisions made in recent years. He said, “Even if we vote with the feeling that children should have a country, we now think that it is stupid,” reflecting public disappointment over how reforms are being managed.
