A single technical error has ignited a political firestorm, but the government insists education reforms remain intact, deliberate, and here to stay.
Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has firmly rejected calls for the Prime Minister to resign, stating that the government’s intentions behind the ongoing education reforms are sincere and grounded in long-term national planning.
Addressing media concerns, the Minister said the proposed education sector reforms will not be abandoned under any circumstances. He stressed that attempts to discredit the entire reform process over an error found in a single module are politically motivated and misleading.
He explained that these reforms were not rushed decisions. Instead, they were developed after extensive discussions over a long period with the National Institute of Education and subject experts. He noted that the reform framework was clearly outlined in the government’s election manifesto, reflecting prior public commitment.
Commenting on the current controversy, Minister Jayatissa said the relevant English module has been under discussion with English teachers since August last year. The issue raised, he clarified, relates only to a “technical error, a spelling error or a word error,” not a policy failure.
He confirmed that the government is prepared to correct the identified error immediately. Investigations are already underway to identify those who acted irresponsibly, and appropriate disciplinary and legal action will be taken at the institutional level.
However, the Minister emphasized that there is no moral or political basis for demanding the Prime Minister’s resignation over a single technical mistake. He argued that resignation would only be justified if the entire education reform policy itself was harmful to the country, which he strongly denied.
He also urged the public not to form negative opinions about English teachers based on this incident. According to the Minister, even experienced educators may overlook such errors, and this does not reflect incompetence or negligence within the teaching community.
Minister Jayatissa concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to education reform, accountability, and fairness, while warning against efforts to politicize minor technical lapses.
