Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who also serves as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, emphasized that economics and entrepreneurship should serve humanity, not merely focus on generating wealth.
Speaking at an event held on 18th of July at the Ministry of Education, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of integrating human values into financial literacy and entrepreneurship education.
She pointed to the concept of a “care economy” as an example of how economic disciplines can be rooted in compassion and social responsibility.
The event aimed to brief officials on the development of new modules for financial literacy and entrepreneurship, which are key components of upcoming education reforms.
Dr. Amarasuriya stressed that education reforms are not just about curriculum changes but about creating a more ethically and spiritually developed society.
She noted that corruption and fraud are often carried out by those with subject expertise, underscoring the need to teach ethics alongside financial knowledge.
“What we need are entrepreneurs who care for the environment, for society, and for each other,” she said.
The Prime Minister also questioned the implications of a society where women are only valued for their economic contributions, stressing the importance of recognizing unpaid and care work.
Deputy Minister of Labour and Economic Development, Professor Anil Jayantha Fernando, echoed the Prime Minister’s views, emphasizing that widespread financial scams highlight the urgent need for financial literacy education.
He warned that financial fraud is often committed by those with high financial knowledge, which is why ethical training is crucial.
The event was attended by key officials including the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwawa, and representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Colombo Stock Exchange.
