Concerns about child safety in the digital realm are also being addressed. The government is considering restricting social media access for minors due to rising incidents linked to online content.
In a significant push towards modernising Sri Lanka’s education system, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has pledged to implement a safe, technology-driven digital education framework for the nation’s children. Speaking at a key discussion on education digitalization held at the ministry of education on January 27, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for a regulated system that protects young learners while harnessing the full potential of modern technology. This commitment comes amid broader educational reforms set to roll out in 2026, aiming to shift from traditional rote learning to a more interactive, student-centred approach.
Dr. Amarasuriya highlighted the importance of human resource planning to effectively utilize advanced digital equipment in schools. She outlined plans to guide children into digital learning through a child protection-based framework, regulating device usage based on age groups and grade levels. A formal mechanism will ensure the balanced and transparent distribution of digital devices obtained through foreign assistance, guaranteeing equitable benefits for all schools, she said. Teachers, she noted, have already been equipped with necessary skills via systematic training programmes.
The discussion involved representatives from Huawei and the UNESCO International Research and Training Centre on Rural Education (UNESCO-INRULED), where executive director Professor Zhao Shouyi briefed on priority areas for advancing digital education in Sri Lanka. China has expressed readiness to support this drive by providing interactive screens and smart classroom technologies, particularly for rural schools, alongside specialised teacher training aligned with the ministry’s reform agenda. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for China’s ongoing support in national digitalization projects.
Chinese Aid Fuels Nationwide Digital Infrastructure Boost
This pledge builds on recent collaborations, including the launch of the China-Aid digital transformation project for general education. The project aims to construct an education cloud data centre, a multimedia conference centre, and a streaming media hub, while developing a software-defined network management system for the ministry of education. It includes setting up 900 smart classrooms in 500 schools across the country and providing digital resources for teaching Chinese language.
Further enhancing this, the government has allocated 35.6 billion Sri Lankan rupees (about US$120 million) in the 2026 budget to accelerate digital transformation across sectors, including education. Initiatives include establishing an AI data centre with Rs. 750 million, tax waivers for expanding internet coverage, and broadband vouchers for children’s online learning. By December 31, 2025, all schools without internet were targeted for connectivity, and each was to receive at least one digital smart board or computer.
UNESCO-INRULED and Huawei’s involvement extends to teacher training and rural education focus, aligning with global efforts like the UNESCO-Huawei “Technology-enabled Open Schools for All” project, which builds crisis-resilient systems connecting school and home-based learning. In October 2025, a high-level dialogue in Beijing between Sri Lankan and Chinese officials, including Huawei’s CEO in Sri Lanka, discussed reshaping education through digital technologies.
Curriculum Reforms and Addressing Digital Risks
The digital push is part of sweeping 2026 reforms, inaugurated by the Prime Minister at Gunasekara Vidyalaya in Athurugiriya on January 29, 2026, starting with Grade 1. Changes include a redesigned syllabus with lightweight, semester-based booklets, digital tools, and extended school time to 50-minute periods. The focus is on competency-based curricula, modular learning, and fostering balanced personalities through activity-based methods, reducing exam pressure and introducing early vocational exposure.
Concerns about child safety in the digital realm are also being addressed. The government is considering restricting social media access for minors due to rising incidents linked to online content. Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne noted discussions under the ministries of mass media or education to implement such limits. This aligns with the Prime Minister’s child protection framework.
Broader reforms emphasize digital literacy, critical thinking, and inclusivity. The “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation” programme, held in July 2025 at Uva National College of Education, promotes gender equality and empowers young women in tech. For vocational education, a October 2025 programme at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute aimed to strengthen digital readiness in the TVET sector.
Challenges, Criticisms, and Future Outlook
Despite enthusiasm, criticisms have emerged. Some argue the reforms lack proper mandate, consent, and accountability, with decisions presented as inevitable without full cabinet approval beyond establishing a task force in June 2025. The policy framework for digital transformation is expected by March 2026, but implementations like Grade 1 and 6 rollouts proceeded ahead. A recent cabinet decision postponed Grade 6 reforms to 2027, acknowledging issues with the national institute of education’s structure.
Dr. Amarasuriya has engaged stakeholders, including Maha Nayake Theras (the senior Budhist clergy of Sri Lanka), to discuss reforms promoting digital literacy and critical thinking. She envisions a future generation compatible with the technological world, emphasising digital accessibility and automated tasks to free educators.
Looking ahead, Sri Lanka’s “Policy for Digital Transformation of Education,” introduced in 2023, targets high-speed internet and devices in all schools by 2025. With international partnerships like UNESCO and Huawei, the nation aims for an inclusive digital economy, though balancing rapid change with safeguards remains key. As Professor Zhao commended the Prime Minister’s leadership, this initiative could position Sri Lanka as a regional leader in smart education.
