The Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) has submitted a set of proposals to Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya, urging the government to address longstanding issues in the education sector through the upcoming 2026 Budget.

In the letter, signed by IUSF Convener Madushan Chandrajith, the Union noted that there was no proper response for the 2025 Budget proposals, prompting a resubmission ahead of 2026 Budget the proposals.

Among the key demands are:

• Iincreasing the allocation made towards education to 3% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

• Raising the Mahapola and Bursary quarterly payments to Rs 10, 000

• Allocating funding towards new student hostel facilities and the construction of a Management Faculty at the University of Peradeniya and a Faculty of Computing at the University of Sabaragamuwa

• Supporting the development and promotion of the Open University.

The IUSF also called for urgent investment to improve schools with minimum facilities, the removal of the 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) on school stationery, and funding to establish professorial units for medical faculties at the Wayamba, Moratuwa, Sabaragamuwa, and Uva-Wellassa universities.