President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stressed the need to prioritize the development of Sri Lanka’s vocational education sector alongside the country’s ongoing education reforms, assuring that the necessary funding will be allocated through the 2027 Budget.
The President made these remarks during the 2027 pre-budget discussion of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, held at the Presidential Secretariat today (17), where the progress of projects funded under the 2026 Budget was also reviewed.
Officials noted that Rs. 303 billion had been allocated to the ministry under the 2026 Budget, including Rs. 160 billion for general education, Rs. 122 billion for higher education, and Rs. 20 billion for vocational education. Discussions focused on the progress of ongoing projects, future plans, and funding requirements for 2027.
The President emphasised that budget allocations should be utilised based on national priorities and needs rather than being spent solely because funds have been allocated.
It was revealed that the highest-ever capital allocation of Rs. 8 billion had been made for vocational education this year, while 57,959 students had been enrolled during the first two quarters of 2026 across 310 government-run vocational training institutions.
The discussion also highlighted the need to increase annual student enrolment in vocational training institutes, provide a permanent campus for the Ocean University, gradually expand admissions to the University of Vocational Technology from next year, and improve the quality and capacity of university colleges across the country to offer more technical degree and diploma programmes at the regional level.
Special attention was also paid to programmes implemented under the Ministry of Education. President Dissanayake stressed that foreign-funded education projects should be undertaken only when they align with Sri Lanka’s national education policies and genuine development needs, rather than becoming an unnecessary debt burden.
The meeting also reviewed student welfare programmes, with the President instructing officials to ensure that benefits are directed to those most in need. He also noted that the President’s Fund remains ready to support scholarship programmes and requested the ministry to submit proposals where necessary.
Discussions were also held on increasing the monthly allowance for students with special needs from 2026 and raising the allowances provided to student teachers at National Colleges of Education.
Officials briefed the President on issues affecting the existing student insurance scheme.
The meeting further reviewed plans to invest Rs. 382 billion in the education sector between 2027 and 2031, including a major digital transformation programme.
Officials also reported that Rs. 1.9 billion has been allocated to repair 20 schools and teacher training institutions damaged by Cyclone Ditva, with reconstruction work already underway.
The shortage of teachers and non-academic staff, as well as salary disparities in the education sector, were also discussed. It was agreed to hold broader consultations covering all education sectors, while a special commission will be tasked with proposing long-term solutions.
Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Deputy Minister of Labour and Finance Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, senior government officials, and representatives from the Ministries of Finance and Education attended the discussion.
