Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education

¶ 01 [6.21 p.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, I thank Members for raising this at adjournment. Meelad Muslim Vidyalaya’s enrollment grew from 52 students in 2015 to 544 in 2025. It is a Tamil-medium school from Grade 1 to A/Ls. We acknowledge lack of space and the absence of an assembly hall.

¶ 03 There are 11 classrooms; the requirement is 37—so 26 additional rooms are needed. Hence the move, with approval of the Western Provincial Chief Secretary, to temporarily use Sumantha Vidyalaya’s building. About Rs. 2.5 million (Rs. 2.5–3 million) has been spent on renovations by Meelad. Community tensions then arose, disrupting learning.

¶ 04 The Ministry, Provincial Council, and Zonal Office considered several options: Piliyandala Vijaya Vidyalaya, another Maha Vidyalaya, Sumantha Vidyalaya, etc. Today, the Dehiwala Coordinating Committee decided to utilize Nikape Vidyalaya for immediate accommodation. We will implement this peacefully and without conflict.

¶ 05 Our policy is equal educational opportunity irrespective of ethnicity or religion, and to nurture an education system where children can learn together in three languages. We will continue our interventions to ensure such incidents are not repeated, and resolve this quickly. Thank you.