Establishing a solid foundation for all students to master the English language
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President Ranil Wickremesinghe assured that English language proficiency would be made accessible to every child through the implementation of the "English for All" program within the next decade.
The President recalled that the JVP had protested against his proposal to introduce English education through the White Paper when he was the Minister of Education. He argued that if this program had been implemented at that time, the country would not be facing the English language issues it does today.
President Wickremesinghe made these remarks yesterday (17th) following a meeting with the people of Malwana, in response to a question posed by a young person who inquired about what the government could do for youth struggling with English language skills.
While outlining his vision of a brighter future for Generation Z, the President urged the youth not to be misled by the political schemes of Sajith and Anura, who have no vision and only fake plans.
“I take it that it has become a tradition to tour the Biyagama constituency, which I represented during the presidential election, by interacting with the people of Malwana. I have always received significant support from the people of Malwana. Back then, Malwana was a small town. With the establishment of the trade zone, Malwana has grown significantly. Much has been accomplished. A developed economy has emerged in this area, combining Malwana's trade with the trade zone.
In 2022, we faced a major crisis. When the economy collapsed, the traders of Malwana were similarly affected. There wasn’t enough foreign currency to procure essential goods. Currently, however, the country’s economy is showing signs of recovery.
I had to negotiate with the IMF and take drastic measures to secure the necessary funds. Faced with limited options—either printing more money or taking on additional debt—I made many difficult decisions. After about six months, the rupee strengthened, commodity prices dropped, and the country began to stabilize.
During this period, we were able to implement the ‘Aswesuma’ program, which tripled benefits for low-income earners, increased public sector salaries, and adopted the Udaya R. Seneviratne Committee’s recommendations. These measures provided much-needed relief by reducing prices and increasing incomes.
While there’s still a gap to bridge, we aim to significantly ease the cost of living next year through strategic interventions. We are making progress, thanks to IMF support and debt relief provided by 18 countries. Our current situation is a direct result of this assistance, and altering these agreements would have disastrous consequences.
Both Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake claim they will reduce taxes. If we do so, we will lose the support we are receiving from the IMF. The dollar will rise, and everything will collapse again. We must build a strong economy over the next five years, with a focus on developing our trade by establishing an export-oriented economy.
We transformed the coconut plantation here into a trade zone and created a new economy. As a result, Biyagama and the surrounding area gained a large number of factories. I want to replicate what was done in Biyagama throughout the country. For that, we plan to create large investment zones in Bingiriya, Trincomalee, Jaffna, Hambantota, and other regions.
I have not forgotten the Malwana area either. I hope to create a new investment zone in Keragala. With the relocation of the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery to Trincomalee, a new city with a technology zone can be built in that area. You can trade there. Also, we should construct the proposed new hospital for Siyambalape. Therefore, we ask for your support by voting for the ‘Gas Cylinder.’
It’s obvious what will happen if MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake shows up. Do we really want to go back to that state? We need to return to normalcy. Let’s not risk losing the country by voting for them. They already attempted something at Peragas-handiya. Some are turning to the SJB. The UNP isn’t what it used to be. President Premadasa and I worked together to establish the Pradipagama Model Village. Sajith wasn’t involved at that time. Therefore, I must say that a vote for Sajith or Namal is essentially a vote for Anura.
I plan to take charge of this area and oversee the construction of the school building once I assume the role of president. Therefore, I kindly ask you to mark the ‘Gas Cylinder’ on your calendar for September 21st.
As a first-time voter and student, I represent a significant portion of the young population eager to cast their votes. What inspiring message do you have for voters like me?
In just 25 years, you won’t even be 50 years old. We’re striving for a brighter tomorrow. The rupee is gaining strength, and the economy is beginning to stabilize. It’s up to the younger generation to carve out the future they desire. My aim is to create a better tomorrow for all you amazing Gen Z individuals.
Many people in our country are unaware of the political situation, and as a result, we are now facing the challenge of electing the right President this month. On behalf of the people, especially future generations of Sri Lanka, we ask for a brief explanation of your future plans.
I had to assume the Presidency at a time when no one else was willing. I accepted the role to steer the economy back on track. Now, we are emerging from bankruptcy, and experts predict that soon we will be able to manage our affairs effectively. We are receiving support and relief from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and 18 creditor nations. Therefore, we must transform our economy into one that focuses on exports. What I accomplished in Biyagama, I aim to replicate across Sri Lanka so that we become an export-driven economy.
A few months ago, Muslim women wearing hijabs, niqabs, and abayas faced harassment when entering offices and public places. While the situation has improved, will we face such issues again in the future, or can we trust that our cultural and religious dress freedoms will be respected?
As long as I am President, you will not face such issues. If you wish to wear traditional attire, that is your choice. If not, that is also your decision. I understand the challenges you have faced. I was even criticized during a commission inquiry for stating that Muslim women should not be scrutinized or forced to remove their attire. Despite protests, I acknowledged the hardships you endured, especially with the forced cremations of your loved ones. Now, I have introduced a law allowing individuals to choose between cremation and burial, respecting their personal wishes.
Looking ahead 10 years, what societal changes do you expect to see?
Society is changing rapidly, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to dominate. The difference between you and me is that I grew up in a time without mobile phones, where interactions were direct. Your generation, Gen Z, is constantly connected to mobile phones, and everything revolves around them. This trend will only accelerate. AI will play an even larger role, and many new technologies will emerge. Whether this is good or bad is something we must determine. However, I do not want our country to regress. That is why it is crucial to raise awareness among you and the public. With this knowledge, we will be able to overcome the challenges of a knowledge-based economy in the next 20 years. However, predicting the exact future is difficult.
Why does the Sri Lankan government not prioritize English language education in the school curriculum? How does the government plan to bridge this gap, especially since English is often the main language of communication from school to university and the workplace?
My policy for Sri Lanka is the "English for All" program. Over the next 10 years, we need to train English teachers and ensure that everyone has access to learning the language. I proposed this idea as early as 1982 through an education 'white paper,' but at that time, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) opposed it and protested in the streets. As a result, we couldn’t move forward. If we had implemented it then, we wouldn’t be facing this issue today. You should ask the JVP why they opposed it. Now, I am determined to move this program forward. In the first two years, we will focus on training teachers and then extend training to others. We will also provide opportunities for private institutions to register and teach English. Within 10 years, we can significantly improve English proficiency across the country.
How can the proposed climate change university connect with the younger generation of our country, and what benefits can we expect from it? What would be the mechanism for involvement?
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face. Unfortunately, there isn’t a structured institution in our country for studying, pursuing postgraduate degrees, or conducting research on this subject. That’s why we plan to establish a university in the Kotmale area dedicated to this cause. Our institutions can engage with it, and through this, we can expand our knowledge. It will also allow us to collaborate with global institutions. That’s our goal.
