The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity. I am pleased to speak briefly on the Universities (Amendment) Bill.

¶ 02 Education is the driving force that can build a nation; the world over, examples show this. Annually, about 530,000 students study up to the O/L. Roughly 70 per cent pass and qualify for A/L. Around 250,000 to 300,000 study for A/L. Of them, about 170,000 qualify for university entry. Finally, only about 55,000 enter universities, meaning around 115,000 have their fundamental rights effectively denied. What happens to them? That is what I wish to address.

¶ 03 The Act brought by President J.R. Jayewardene in 1978 introduced innovations. Changes followed; now further changes are proposed, which I consider necessary. Let me recall earlier missteps: when we tried to introduce English, there were problems, and we regressed. Similarly, when establishing the SLMC in 1978, mismanagement led to importing doctors rather than producing and retaining our own. Also, issues arose in pushing computer literacy and smart classrooms. I mention these because of the problems we face today.

¶ 04 We appreciate the Hon. Prime Minister coming to this House right after Davos, Switzerland, to listen to this debate. I am happy to see the Government evolving. When we governed, we were criticized; now those same measures are being adopted. For example, we appreciate continuing the IMF programme. I am not saying the IMF is inherently necessary, but after bankruptcy, it is the best institution to help us out. The Government now embraces this. Similarly, though many vilified the open economy of J.R. Jayewardene, today it's being taken forward. Even the JVP/NPP now embraces these approaches; we appreciate that, though we are curious about how they will operationalize them.

¶ 05 With regard to EPF reforms, it was stated it would be transformed into a pension; later clarifications came. Plans to sell the Grand Hyatt—we appreciate. Privatizing MRIA—this is the direction we advocated. Recovering CEB losses from the “X-press Pearl” disaster impact by rational tariff adjustments—these are pragmatic measures. If you accept the need for changes that affect day-to-day life, that is good.

¶ 06 We want to see radical education reform, but done with our feet on the ground, respecting our culture and correcting errors. The World Bank, for instance, in September 2025 said Sri Lanka’s recovery was remarkable; in October, said it remained incomplete; in January 2026, projected slow growth. Within three months, their stance shifted drastically. We cite this to show that even institutions we look up to can be inconsistent—hence we must design robust, context-appropriate reforms.

¶ 07 In a short time, one cannot discuss all aspects of a Bill like this. But the reasons for reform are clear: outdated curricula; labour-market mismatch; exam-centric pressure; teacher-skill gaps; digital divide; weak vocational pathways; language imbalance; politicization; erosion of values; centralized bureaucracy. Reforms are needed to prepare students for a digital, global economy; otherwise you create graduate unemployment. We must spur innovation and entrepreneurship, improve international competitiveness, reduce urban–rural inequality, set national development goals, emphasize TVET, attract FDI, build knowledge industries, curb tuition dependency, and create human capital. I am glad the Hon. Prime Minister is attempting this; but please build a team so it is institutional, not personal. Ministers come and go; policies must endure. Hence the need for radical reform.

¶ 08 Under J.R., checks and balances existed; later changes tilted towards politicization. Earlier, Ministers could appoint over 50 per cent of Councils—undemocratic. Now you aim to make such appointments within a democratic framework. Better still, cap ministerial appointees at 40–45 per cent to improve balance through merit.

¶ 09 Previously, after appointing a Vice Chancellor, he appointed everyone. Now a more democratic face is given—broadening eligibility so even a lecturer above Grade II can contest for Dean. That is good, but ensure those with experience are selected. Shifting from unilateral VC decisions to Council processes is welcome. Overall, enhance democracy within Councils rather than concentrating power in one individual.

¶ 10 Let me conclude with a quote from Ms. Jamila Husain, Editor of the Daily Mirror, from 19 January 2026:

¶ 11 “Today, Sri Lanka’s bureaucracy is not merely inefficient. It has become a curse on governance, development and investor confidence. It is the silent partner in corruption, the breeding ground of delays, files, signatures and ‘come tomorrow’ attitudes that quietly kill projects, destroy trust and drive investors away without a single protest slogan ever being shouted.

¶ 12 Foreign investors do not leave Sri Lanka because of speeches in Parliament or street protests. They leave because approvals take months, sometimes years. They leave because permits require endless back and forth between departments that do not communicate with each other.”

¶ 13 We need a big change in our education system and our universities. If we can retain the 15,000–20,000 students who go to the UK annually by building capacity here, we would save foreign exchange and deliver better education at home. I conclude with that hope.

¶ 14 Thank you.