The Hon. Nalin Hewage – Deputy Minister of Vocational Education

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, a man once drove the wrong way on a one-way street. When stopped and asked where he was going, he said, “I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m late; everyone else is coming toward me.” I remembered this because we too are late with reforms. Had we done this 30–40 years ago, Parliament and the country would have been spared much misfortune.

¶ 02 We heard in childhood the tale of Mūsila who challenged his teacher. Today we see such a “Mūsila” in Parliament, challenging teachers. This only proves why urgent reform is needed. A small Opposition group created doubt in society, then brought a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister to pour fuel on the fire—demanding she resign. But this is not hers alone; it is a Government initiative. Trying to isolate and divide NPP and JVP will not work.

¶ 03 They backtracked as social reactions grew. If they are not afraid, bring the no-confidence motion. They won’t, because it would become “Anaconda 02,” just like the earlier backlash they faced when opposing estate workers’ wage increases. Today, parents who struggle under the current system—children exhausted, parents’ time and money wasted—look to these reforms. The Opposition, by agitation, has delayed it for a year. They must bear responsibility.

¶ 04 When they were in Government, they failed to solve poverty and ignorance; they in fact deepened both. We, however, aim to lift society through community development councils and these reforms—creating creative, discerning children able to win the future. That threatens their politics, hence their fear.

¶ 05 They try to ignite the country through religion, claiming we changed the Dharmachakra. As explained, the 24-spoke symbol has been used on coins and guides for years. They want to tear down the State Emblem in this Chamber to set the country ablaze. We will not fall for such tactics.

¶ 06 Syllabi must be updated every eight years or so. The last change was in 2015; 2023 would have been due, but the then Government did nothing in 2023 or 2024; hence we move now in 2025. In any vast change, minor errors can occur; we must fix them and move forward. The Opposition inflates page counts and costs—those can be recovered. But can you undo the social poison spread over the past weeks? They must be held accountable.

¶ 07 They claim we cut education spending. When we took office, education was 1.8% of GDP; this year it is 2.04%. In the past, it was the UNP that cut. We will not stop these reforms. The Opposition may become uncomfortable, but we will proceed.