Try GOLD - Free
Power, education and failure to learn
The Island
|September 15, 2025
The Inter University Students' Federation (IUSF) has renewed its call for the government to allocate more state funds for education-at least 6% of GDP; this is a demand Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya herself made when she was a prominent member of the Federation of University Teachers' Associations (FUTA).
-
Dismissing the proposed educational reforms as ill-conceived and retrogressive, the ISUF has condemned what it describes as a government move to close down lowenrolment schools. He has reminded the government that the election manifesto of the NPP promises to ensure that every family will have a primary school, located within a three-km radius from its residence.
The NPP government, which appears to treat its mandate as carte blanche, has chosen to ignore protests. Power makes rulers impervious to reason, and at times drives them to act in such a way that they end up having to outrun protesters baying for their blood, as we saw here in 2022, in Bangladesh last year, and in Nepal very recently. There is no defence against a tsunami of public anger.
This story is from the September 15, 2025 edition of The Island.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Island
The Island
Control Union Sri Lanka sets two global firsts
Control Union Sri Lanka has achieved back-to-back global milestones in deforestation-free certification, having issued both the world's first Deforestation-Free Standard (DFS) certificate and, most recently, the world's first DFS Group Certificate, the latter awarded to Samson Rubber Industries (Pvt) Ltd.
1 min
April 11, 2026
The Island
Anura Solomons passes away
Veteran journalist Anura Solomons, a seasoned editor with decades of experience in journalism, and former Chief Editor of Divaina Sunday Edition, passed away yesterday (10).
1 min
April 11, 2026
The Island
The science behind muscle memory
Many people who return to exercise after a long break notice something surprising.
5 mins
April 11, 2026
The Island
Minister Jayatissa blames administrations since 2010 for not following proper procedures when procuring coal
Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday defended the government during the no-confidence debate on Energy Minister Kumar Jayakody, assuring that the ongoing coal procurement controversy would neither lead to power cuts nor result in increased electricity tariffs.
1 mins
April 11, 2026
The Island
Newly renovated sanitary facilities at Colombo Central Bus Stand vandalised again
Sanitary facilities, at the newly renovated Colombo Central Bus Stand, has been vandalised again, with Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways M.M. Prasanna Kumara Gunasena saying it could be the result of organised activity.
1 mins
April 11, 2026
The Island
Energy prices may take 'months' to normalise, despite ceasefire: Analysts
There needs to be a predictable and stable flow of cargo through the Strait before markets can stabilise, experts say
4 mins
April 11, 2026
The Island
Chinese Ambassador assures Lanka China will not allow a fuel crisis to develop here
Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong yesterday assured that China would not allow a fuel crisis to arise in Sri Lanka, under any circumstances, reaffirming Beijing's continued support to the country.
1 min
April 11, 2026
The Island
Opposition NCM against Energy Minister defeated
A no-confidence motion brought by the Opposition against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody was defeated in Parliament yesterday by a majority of 104 votes.
2 mins
April 11, 2026
The Island
Geopolitics experts call for Global South to lead push for lasting Middle East peace
Sri Lanka's policy of neutrality in the ongoing Middle East conflict reflects both principle and pragmatism, while positioning the country to play a wider diplomatic role, the Asian Geopolitics Sustainability and Peace Council has said in a statement.
3 mins
April 11, 2026
The Island
Dimantha's 193 in vain as Royal book final berth
A magnificent innings of 193 by opening batsman Dimantha Mahavithana went in vain as Royal College relied on their massive first innings total to secure a place in the final of the Under 19 Division I Tier 'A' tournament at the Surrey Village Ground on Friday.
1 mins
April 11, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size