IntelScoops

Colombo, August 2, 2025 —

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has delivered a clear message to Sri Lanka’s university community: political activism is welcome, but violence and destruction are not.

Speaking at a policy dialogue on national education reforms held in Colombo, the Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to protect students’ democratic rights — including the right to protest — but emphasised the need to draw a firm line between activism and anarchy.

“There is absolutely no obstacle to students engaging in struggle, protest, or politics. That is part of any healthy democracy,” she said. “But there is no space for violence, vandalism, or the kind of behaviour that undermines the dignity of our institutions.”

Her remarks come in the wake of recent incidents at several state universities where student protests over hostel fees and curriculum changes reportedly escalated into confrontations with law enforcement. University property was damaged in some cases, prompting widespread public debate on how student activism should be managed.

Amarasuriya, herself an academic before entering politics, said the country’s higher education system is at a turning point. “Our vision is to transform universities into centres of research, innovation and critical thought — not merely factories for degrees,” she added. “We need institutions that solve real problems and produce real knowledge.”

The government’s education reform initiative includes a major overhaul of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, expanded digital infrastructure, and the introduction of interdisciplinary modules designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

Officials confirmed that pilot projects are already in progress at the Universities of Colombo, Jaffna, and Peradeniya. These include partnerships with international research institutes, digital learning platforms, and career development units aimed at bridging the gap between academia and the job market.

However, student groups remain sceptical. Several unions have called for more transparency around the reforms and warned against the “commercialisation” of education. They argue that the government must first address fundamental concerns such as funding for universities, fair access, and student welfare.

Still, the Prime Minister urged restraint and responsibility. “There is space for criticism and dissent. But the moment we resort to destruction or intimidation, we lose the moral high ground,” she said. “Universities should be a space for debate, not destruction — for research, not riots.”

With a growing consensus that higher education must evolve to meet the demands of a globalised world, the government appears determined to push forward — but insists that students, too, must be willing to change how they engage.