Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has pledged focused attention on improving higher education opportunities for children with special needs, under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Education.
Speaking during a meeting in Parliament on Saturday (22) with representatives from institutions advocating for the disabled community, the Prime Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing educational access and inclusivity for individuals with special needs, according to the PM’s Media Division.
During the discussion, advocates presented a comprehensive proposal aligned with both local and international standards, focusing on strengthening the rights of people with special needs, improving the quality of education for children with disabilities, and expanding higher education opportunities tailored to their needs.
The delegation praised the government for allocating funds in the 2025 Budget to improve education for children with autism and for establishing a social security system for orphans.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya stated:
“People with special needs must be given the social acceptance required to live normal lives within society. We aim to integrate this principle into wider initiatives, including the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ project.
While Sri Lanka has numerous policies, the real challenge is in their effective implementation. The 2025 Budget has allocated specific resources to ensure these policies translate into meaningful action.
Under the Ministry of Education’s guidance, we are prioritizing higher education for children with special needs and have appointed the necessary personnel to drive this effort.
We are working towards a comprehensive transformation of the education system, with relevant policies being developed in 2025 and implementation scheduled for 2026. Our long-term vision focuses on systemic change, particularly in the education of children with special needs.
Our goal is to ensure inclusive education in mainstream schools for every child with special needs. While this is a gradual process, we plan to start by equipping at least one school in each educational administrative zone to accommodate children with special needs.”
The meeting was attended by key representatives from the disabled community, including Member of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva, former Senior Lecturer Dr. T.D.T.L. Dhanapala, and other dignitaries.
