Government and Catholic Church Resume Dialogue After Nine Years, Focusing on Education Reforms

The Sri Lankan government and the Catholic Church have resumed official discussions after a nine-year hiatus, with a meeting held yesterday (May 21) at the Presidential Secretariat. Co-chaired by Minister of Science and Technology Krishantha Abeysekera and Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayaka, the talks addressed several key educational matters. Discussions primarily focused on resolving administrative issues within Catholic schools previously taken over by the government and establishing a new mechanism for support from the Ministry of Education. The need to develop a teacher staffing system for Catholic religious instruction and to recruit Catholic priests and nuns for teaching roles was also a central point. His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, who participated in the meeting, emphasized the importance of ensuring all students have the opportunity to learn their religion without discrimination. Future discussions between the government and the Catholic Church are planned to occur three times annually.