A confidential education probe, political accusations, and rising public distrust collide as ministers defend secrecy while opponents demand accountability at the highest level.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath has confirmed that the Ministry of Education has received the internal investigation report into the inclusion of an inappropriate website link in a Grade 6 English learning module. The Minister made this statement while responding to a journalist at the Cabinet Decisions Information Press Conference held at the Government Information Department on the 04.
He stated that the report is strictly an internal administrative document of the Ministry of Education and therefore cannot be made public. The Minister added that a complaint has already been lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department, and further action will proceed under police investigation.
Minister Vijitha Herath emphasized that the police inquiry is not focused on identifying an individual offender, but rather on uncovering the underlying purpose and motive behind the inclusion of such content in an education module. He also revealed that the Director General of the National Institute of Education has temporarily stepped down from her position to ensure that investigations are carried out in a more transparent and independent manner.
Meanwhile, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader and former Minister Udaya Gammanpila has called for the immediate resignation of the Prime Minister, citing controversy surrounding ongoing education reforms. He stated that serious doubts have emerged within society regarding newly introduced subjects in the school curriculum.
Mr. Gammanpila alleged that since the Prime Minister has long promoted homosexual rights through non-governmental organizations, it is reasonable for public suspicion to be directed at her. He stressed that resignation is essential to ensure a fair investigation, stating that as long as the Prime Minister remains the Minister in charge, the public will not trust the process.
“In other countries, the Minister in charge of the subject would resign in such a situation. The Maha Sangha intervened to stop this process of crushing the hearts of children,” he said.
Despite confirmation that the report has been received, Mr. Gammanpila accused the government of deliberately hiding it by labeling it an internal document, arguing that secrecy only deepens public suspicion.
