The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 02 While debating these regulations and disaster impacts, I must address education reforms. As Opposition, we have moved a No-Confidence Motion against the Minister of Education and the Hon. Prime Minister Hon. Harini Amarasuriya. If some Members lack background knowledge, we, with such knowledge, will support the NCM, or at minimum request the Minister to resign.

¶ 03 The Government concealed the reform process, and it surfaced only because a Grade 6 module contained a QR code linking to a website promoting homosexuality. Digital platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram monetize views and ads; had 450,000 students received that book before detection, view counts and exposure would have been huge.

¶ 04 Within these reforms, Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is being introduced. CSE is not basic sex education; it addresses sexuality. A 10 October 2020 letter from the Health Promotion Bureau Director titled “Workshop to Validate the Curriculum and Educational Materials on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) for School Adolescents in Sri Lanka” also notes a proposed nationwide Training of Trainers for teachers of Grades 6 and 7 on communicating CSE.

¶ 05 Guidance documents on CSE speak of integrating gender perspectives, empowering young people to make decisions about their sexuality, recognizing sexual orientation and gender identity, and forming “romantic sexual” relationships. Introducing such content to Grade 6 students is inappropriate. We oppose embedding LGBTQ agendas in education reforms for such young children and urge protection of our children’s future.

¶ 06 Separately, I highlight a September 12 incident at Waters Edge— a state entity—where five of our children were assaulted. The Government must act to protect innocent students. The NPP, which loves this country, will study and act on these matters.

¶ 07 Thank you.