Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that public attention should focus on those responsible for distortions in the country’s education reforms, rather than on the personal lives or preferences of individual political leaders.

MP Premadasa said education has become one of the most discussed issues in Sri Lanka, but stressed it should be debated in the context of sound policy decisions. He said serious shortcomings have emerged in the education sector, alleging that recent reforms have led to misconduct and the erosion of values within the system

He made the remarks while attending an event under the party’s “Husma” program, where medical equipment, including patient monitors and infusion devices were donated to the Kolonnawa Base Hospital.

Over and above, he said, the personal behaviour, tastes or decisions of the education minister or the prime minister are not the issue at hand and highlighting personal matters has distracted from the core problems within education, calling on the public and media to avoid such discussions.

MP Premadasa alleged that education reforms were implemented without proper consultation, relying largely on presentations rather than structured dialogue. He said the reforms have negatively affected the minds of about 4.1 million schoolchildren. As leader of the SJB he said the opposition supports reforms that balance English-language education, STEAM subjects and history.

The opposition leader also said those genuinely responsible for the alleged distortions must be identified and held accountable. He said the government, led by the education minister, bears responsibility and cannot deflect blame onto officials and the dignity of all citizens must be upheld, adding that the ‘Husma’ program is aimed at saving lives and supporting public welfare.