The Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero, Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siam Nikaya, has openly questioned the current Sri Lankan government’s ability to implement effective educational reforms, describing it as “inexperienced” in managing the country’s school system.
Speaking to representatives of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party during a recent visit, the Thero stressed that meaningful reforms require the involvement of all relevant stakeholders. “It is best for all the appropriate people to come together and work on this matter,” he said, underscoring the need for expertise and collaboration in shaping the nation’s education policies.
Deputy Chief of the Asgiri Chapter, Naramparawe Ananda Thero, highlighted the broader cultural significance, noting that “the civilization of a country should be protected through education.” Both Theros cautioned that any attempt to undermine the integrity or quality of the education system would be opposed, irrespective of which government is in power.
The remarks come amid growing debate in Sri Lanka over proposed changes to school curricula, governance, and modernization initiatives. Analysts say statements from senior religious figures like the Asgiriya Mahanayake carry considerable influence in public and political discourse, reflecting the unique role of Buddhist institutions in shaping societal priorities.
Meanwhile, the government’s new education reforms have faced criticism on social media over the color schemes used in several newly introduced school textbooks. Activists have pointed out that the cover designs resemble the rainbow flag, an international symbol representing the LGBTQ+ community, and argue that this choice is unlikely to be coincidental.
Critics warn that introducing such symbols in textbooks for young children could create cultural tensions and potentially influence early perceptions on sensitive issues. Social media discussions have also raised broader concerns about the transparency of the education reform process, including the criteria and oversight involved in approving new textbooks.
