Prof. G.L. Peiris takes over Education Ministry
Secondary and tertiary education in the country will come under the Education Ministry with Professor G. L. Peiris sworn in as the Minister this week.
While Minister Peiris will hold the Cabinet portfolio for education, four other State Ministers will be in charge of several areas of education including pre-school and primary education, vocational education, pirivena education and rural and school sports infrastructure promotion.
Piyal Nishantha de Silva took oaths as the Minister of women and child development, pre-school and primary education, school infrastructure and school services, while Vijitha Berugoda was named as the State Minister for dhamma schools, bhikku education, pirivenas and Buddhist universities.
Dr. Seetha Arambepola is the present skills development, vocational education, research and innovation Minister while Thenuka Vidanagamage took oaths as the Minister of rural and school sports infrastructure promotion.
Prof. Peiris will succeed Bandula Gunawardane, the former higher education, technology and innovation Minister and Dullas Alahapperuma, the former education, sports and youth Minister. Namal Rajapaksa will be the Youth Minister in the Cabinet.
The Examinations Department, the University Grants Commission, the National Institute of Education, National Educational Commission, Education Publications Department are some institutions that will be under the direct supervision of the new Education Ministry. (NF)