SRI LANKA'S PRIVATE EDUCATION CRISIS AND GOVT. IMPACT

For middle-class Sri Lankan parents, small businesses, teachers, and other professionals, education is not just a right, but a lifeline to a better future for their children.

- Damintha Gunasekera

They work tirelessly to save for college degrees that promise good jobs and social mobility. However, access is severely limited; only 17% of students who pass A/Ls gain admission to state universities, leaving many reliant on private institutions like KDU, ACBT, or SLIIT.

The middle-class dream under threat Recent government policies pose unprecedented threats to this pathway. On May 22, 2025, the JVP-led government, responding to pressure from the InterUniversity Students' Federation (IUSF), restricted Kotelawala Defence University's (KDU) medical faculty admissions, allowing only cadet officers and international students, thereby slashing potential revenue streams. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya's recent announcement to review education degrees from private universities, while ostensibly ensuring quality, risks undermining these vital educational opportunities.

This threat is particularly acute for middle- to lower-class families, unlike wealthier families, who cannot afford to send their children abroad for education.

Research shows that students from upperclass families often secure permanent residency in countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK, contributing to brain drain. The Institute for Policy Studies estimates that 12,000 Sri Lankan students study abroad annually, costing $300 million in foreign exchange during our economic recovery, with many not returning and depleting our talent pool. This exodus, driven by limited domestic opportunities, leaves middle-class families trapped, facing reduced educational and economic prospects.

Historical Context: SAITM and the Struggle for Private Medical Education