Sri Lanka’s long-promised education reforms have stalled amid repeated delays, controversial procurement decisions, and a striking mismatch between massive spending and real-world progress. An audit report has exposed how more than five billion rupees were spent over three years on a reform programme that remains largely unimplemented, while expensive smart boards purchased for classrooms sit unused in government warehouses. As the government postpones the reforms until 2027, the findings raise urgent questions about accountability, planning, and the future of Sri Lanka’s education system.
The audit report reveals that the former State Ministry of Education Reforms spent Rs. 5,219,297,390 between 2020 and 2022 to implement the new education reforms. An additional Rs. 350,552,393 was spent by the National Institute of Education, yet the reforms were not delivered. In practical terms, this means that billions of rupees—funded in part through loans from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank—have been disbursed without producing the promised improvements in classrooms. Auditors warned that failure to implement the reforms properly could expose the country to significant financial losses, especially in a period of economic hardship, as debt interest payments continue to rise and loan agreements risk cancellation.
The reform initiative has been marked by shifting institutional structures and political disagreement. A dedicated State Ministry of Education Reforms was established by gazette notification to drive the process, only to be abolished in July 2022, with its responsibilities transferred back to the Ministry of Education. The audit notes that six key reform areas were identified and planned to begin in early 2021 under a five-year implementation plan, yet the ministry failed to complete these activities within the intended timeframe. Cabinet approval was obtained only for curriculum and assessment reforms, while the remaining five areas lacked formal endorsement.
The absence of an approved national education policy has also hampered progress. Although the National Education Commission submitted recommendations for a national education policy in 1992, 2003, 2016, and 2021, a policy had not been approved as of September 30, 2025. This policy vacuum has left reform efforts without a coherent framework, undermining continuity and making long-term planning difficult. The audit further notes that the current government has delayed reforms that were planned to be implemented this year until 2027, reflecting deep political divisions over the direction of the education system.
Yet the most striking revelation in the audit involves the procurement of 1,000 smart boards for schools, purchased at a cost of Rs. 149,331,0696. The audit describes the procurement as an emergency purchase carried out under false pretenses. Despite no genuine emergency situation, the Ministry of Education created an urgent scenario to fast-track the procurement just before a presidential election. This decision has drawn accusations of political manipulation, procedural abuse, and a lack of transparency.
The audit also highlights that the Ministry of Education failed to secure a grant of 500 smart boards from China, which had been promised as part of a $20 million assistance package. The Additional Secretary (Information Technology and Digital Education), who led the project, proceeded to purchase 1,000 smart boards without securing the Chinese grant. By May 31 of this year, the ministry had still not taken steps to obtain the 500 smart boards promised by China. Auditors found that the official in charge of the project was improperly appointed to the technical evaluation committee, violating procurement guidelines. The procurement timeline was shortened without justification, and technical specifications were inserted into bid documents without proper review.
The smart boards were purchased through the Sri Lanka Government Commercial (Miscellaneous) Corporation, which initially submitted a higher estimate before reducing the price following negotiations. Auditors also found that the Cabinet was provided with misleading information, as the total cost was presented without separately disclosing additional payments required for extending the warranty. The supplier had not agreed to a three-year warranty as stated in the bid documents, and the cost for extending the warranty was not clearly documented in Cabinet papers.
Despite plans to install the smart boards in 20 schools during school holidays in December 2024, the Ministry of Education failed to install even a single unit. An engineer brought in from abroad to oversee installation left the country without completing the work, leaving all 1,000 smart boards in storage at the Pattalagedera warehouse. Auditors noted that the warranty period for these devices has already expired or is close to expiring, further reducing the possibility of implementing the project. Moreover, the audit found that 121 of the 1,000 selected schools lack fibre internet connectivity, a basic requirement for using smart boards, and no long-term operational plan was developed before importing the equipment.
In addition to the smart board scandal, the audit also raises concerns about the purchase of high-tech equipment for innovation labs. The ministry planned to equip 750 schools with advanced technology, but the innovation labs have not yet reached an operational level. Despite this, the ministry purchased 3D printers and other high-tech equipment for 45 schools at a cost of nearly Rs. 80 million without conducting a needs assessment or preparing an implementation plan. Auditors criticized the purchase as lacking scientific and financial justification given the country’s economic constraints.
The audit report recommends that senior officials involved in these procurement decisions be held accountable for any financial losses incurred if the projects cannot be implemented. It places responsibility on the Chief Accounting Officer of the Ministry of Education, the Additional Line Secretary (Information Technology and Digital Education), and members of the technical evaluation committee for the emergency procurement of smart boards without securing the Chinese grant. The report also highlights the broader governance issues in the education sector, including a lack of infrastructure assessment, inadequate planning, and a failure to implement reforms despite significant expenditure.
The audit findings have raised alarm among education stakeholders and the public, as Sri Lanka continues to grapple with economic challenges and an education system in need of modernization. With reforms postponed until 2027, students, teachers and parents are left waiting for meaningful change while costly equipment remains unused and public funds appear to have been spent without delivering results. The report underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability and strategic planning to ensure that future reforms are implemented effectively and deliver real benefits to Sri Lanka’s education system.
