President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressed the tenth biennial conference of the All Island Professional Lecturers’ Association (APLA) on Tuesday at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre in Colombo, stressing the dangers of politicizing education and calling for collaborative efforts to design a more effective education system for Sri Lanka within the next two to three years. The President highlighted the need for inclusive discussions involving education experts, schoolteachers, professionals from various sectors, and organizations like APLA to shape the future of education in the country.
During the conference, President Wickremesinghe commended the role of supplementary classes in addressing gaps in the education sector but emphasized the importance of integrating technology and online learning platforms. He discussed missed opportunities in the past to implement such initiatives due to objections but praised recent efforts by APLA in promoting online education. Wickremesinghe also reflected on Sri Lanka’s historical legacy in pioneering Western-style education in Asia and stressed the need for educational reforms that align with technological advancements and future economic paradigms.
The President underscored the collaborative nature of educational reforms, urging stakeholders to transcend political differences for the greater benefit of the nation. APLA President Ravindra Bandara presented a token of appreciation to President Wickremesinghe, highlighting the association’s commitment to contributing to the ongoing dialogue on educational transformation. The conference was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, and other executive committee members and professional lecturers of APLA.