The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Thank you for the opportunity, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 02 We should thank Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha for bringing this adjournment motion, because we truly need a structured debate on education reform. Since the Government began to speak on reforms, the Opposition has driven an obscene, racist, and sectarian discourse. I am glad to speak while you are in the Chair, Hon. Presiding Member. In politics, there are matters we can all agree on; this is one of them. Today, our Prime Minister represents Sri Lanka internationally, earns recognition, addresses global political and economic fora, and speaks for women and women’s political leadership with distinction. How the Opposition has behaved regarding such a Prime Minister needs no repetition: they have conducted degrading public discussions about a woman that should never occur on public platforms.

¶ 03 From the time she became Prime Minister, certain Opposition politicians manufactured gossip about her private life. They have reduced themselves to an Opposition that fixates on a woman’s sexuality and sexual orientation, spreading tales based on their own imaginings, shamelessly broadcasting them to children, mothers and fathers on screens visible to all. Regardless of whether one is Prime Minister or not, no woman in Sri Lanka should be subjected to such harassment. I remain personally saddened that such vile harassment was inflicted on the second citizen of the country.

¶ 04 I also thank not only the women MPs of the National People’s Power, but all women and women’s organizations who stood up against this. Without such a counter-force, the Opposition would have continued to push this discourse further. Even now, some persist, but I am convinced that if this discussion hadn’t been challenged, more would have joined in.

¶ 05 The Leader of the Opposition created and normalized this vulgar discourse and even promoted it through media appearances. They come here and speak of civility, then go behind our backs and insult the Prime Minister and women, and demean vulnerable communities in media shows. Against this backdrop, it is valuable that a Government MP, Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha, enabled a sober debate on the need for reform.

¶ 06 Let us understand: the Opposition’s role is to criticize; disagreement is not the issue. But when presenting disagreements, at minimum they must be presented in a way suitable for Parliament. They spoke of a no-confidence motion, yet now hesitate to table it. They even claim we will appoint a JVP Prime Minister; do they expect us to “confirm” their motion? Bring your motion. When you do, we will show how many stand with the Prime Minister. We bear collective responsibility for her, for her reputation and Ministry, even when she is outside the country.

¶ 07 Today, parents of children about to enter Grade 6 are protesting in support of reform. People, children, teachers, our society and the economy all need education reform. What do we expect from it? Many children—especially rural and low-income—are persistently excluded. They lack access to teachers, good curricula, updated subjects, and vocational education. We must create access.

¶ 08 Children are turning to drugs, both urban and rural; stress and mental illness are rising. Education is a burden on parents and children. Despite learning, there is no hope, no expectations, no jobs. Educated unemployment is higher than general unemployment. These are issues we must solve.

¶ 09 The Ministry has presented a clear Concept Note. Had Members read it, we could have had a good discussion. It shows how limited access is to vocational, science and technology education. If we want to be a country moving with the future, we must prepare our children accordingly—science and technology knowledge, vocational education, skills and soft skills. These must not be only for certain classes or high-income families.

¶ 10 There is a social tendency to mock English education. Sri Lanka should not become that. Every child has a right to quality education; the Government has a duty to deliver it. The Prime Minister, as Education Minister, is prepared to fulfill that duty; we must support her.

¶ 11 I appreciate Hon. Harsha de Silva for attempting statesmanship amid the mudslinging. He said, remove the controversial parts and proceed with reform. Such MPs should fight within their own parties too, against those who campaign with slander and misogyny and are even appointed to party office. We need not only sound education reform but a sound political culture—one that ensures women’s political participation and dignity, and respect for all citizens. Through these reforms, we have an opportunity to lead the country toward such a state. Thank you.