‘2021 challenging year, but govt. confident’

By Shamindra Ferdinando

SLPP Chairman and Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday (1) said the government would surmount daunting challenges faced by the country in the New Year.

Prof. Peiris acknowledged that 2021 was going to be tough, but the leadership that had brought nearly three decades long war to an end in 2009 could successfully face new challenges.

The minister said so at the inauguration of a new building project at Mattegoda for the Engineering Faculty of the Sri Jayewardenepura University. The project is estimated to cost Rs. 3,624.96 mn.

Commenting on ongoing efforts to streamline the education sector, the one-time External Affairs Minister said that the government would consult all stakeholders, including the student community as regards the proposed reforms.

Prof. Peiris also addressed the Education Ministry staff yesterday, the first working day where he appreciated their support during an extremely difficult year. The Education Minister said that they went beyond duty to ensure the functioning of the system as the country struggled with rampaging corona pandemic.

Prof. Peiris said that there were two ways to tackle a challenge. The minister said: “We can conveniently refrain from taking tangible measures to address the problem. Continuously delaying a decision on a contentious issue is one way of handling it. Or, we can deal with the issue at hand by taking appropriate measures.”

The top legal academic pointed out that the decision to conduct Year 5 Scholarship examination as well as the GCE Advanced Level in last Nov/Dec 2020 proved challenges could be surmounted.

Prof. Peiris said that the government was determined to go ahead with plans in spite of difficulties. The Education sector couldn’t be neglected during the current difficult period.