Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who also serves as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, emphasized that vocational education in Sri Lanka has long been overlooked and stated that it will be positioned as a decisive subject in the country’s future.

She made these remarks at the inauguration of the “Shrama Meheyuma” programme, launched on 4th of July at the Gampaha Technical College. The programme, implemented through vocational training institutions islandwide, aims to establish a well-structured and appealing vocational education system.

Dr. Amarasuriya noted that vocational education plays a vital but often underappreciated role in preparing the human resources needed for the labour market. “It is the Ministry of Education’s responsibility to produce the country’s workforce, and vocational training is central to that mission,” she said.

Highlighting a key shift in policy, the Prime Minister announced that the 2026 education reforms will include significant measures to integrate vocational training from the school level. She said these changes are not just minor adjustments, but a transformative step towards building a skilled workforce aligned with the needs of a new era of national development.

Addressing widespread misconceptions, the Prime Minister stressed that vocational education is not a fallback for those unable to enter university, but a smart and strategic choice that directly supports individual advancement and national progress.

She credited Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage for spearheading the “Shrama Meheyuma” initiative and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to elevate vocational education to a higher position in Sri Lanka’s education system.