The government insists education funding is no longer about percentages but about “enough money.” Prime Minister and Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya claims schools will finally get the support they deserve—if the Ministry can figure out how to spend it. Is this a genuine turning point for Sri Lanka’s education system, or just another budget promise wrapped in big words?
The Education Minister and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has declared that regardless of percentages, there is now enough money allocated for education in Sri Lanka. She stressed that the challenge is no longer about the size of the allocation but about how effectively the funds will be spent. Addressing a question from the media during Swarnavahini’s Rathu Ira program, she explained that the upcoming budget will be prepared differently from previous ones, as it will be shaped directly by proposals from individual ministries.
She further confirmed that the Ministry of Education will present its proposals to Finance Minister and President Anura Dissanayake today, outlining the specific areas where funds should be utilized. Unlike previous budgets where allocations were decided from the top, this process aims to ensure that actual needs of the education sector are prioritized.
Amarasuriya reiterated that Sri Lanka is at a stage where there is no shortage of funds for education but rather a need for accountability in their use. With years of underfunding and systemic neglect, the question now is whether this “enough money” promise will translate into real classrooms, better resources, and stronger schools—or whether it risks being another political soundbite.
