Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stressed that successful digital education requires strong infrastructure, curriculum-aligned content, teacher training, and a sustainable five-year roadmap.

Colombo, May 12, 2026: Sri Lanka’s digital education reform must go beyond installing smart classroom equipment and should focus equally on quality educational content, teacher training, reliable infrastructure and long-term sustainability, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has said.

Speaking during a recent discussion with representatives of Rotary International and professionals from Sri Lanka’s software industry, facilitated by the Digital Task Force at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Amarasuriya emphasised that technology alone cannot transform education unless it is supported by strong pedagogy, trained teachers and curriculum-aligned digital learning resources.

The Prime Minister said that smart classrooms should not be reduced to the simple use of screens or YouTube videos. Instead, digital education should be built around high-quality learning content that is aligned with the national curriculum and delivered through an official government platform.

Dr. Amarasuriya highlighted that digitalisation in schools must be approached as a comprehensive education reform initiative, not merely as a technology deployment project. She stressed that infrastructure, content and teacher capacity must move together if the country is to achieve meaningful digital transformation in education.

According to the Prime Minister, digital learning materials should be delivered through official platforms such as e-Thaksalawa, rather than through scattered private platforms. This, she said, would help maintain consistency, quality standards and equitable access across schools.

The remarks are significant at a time when many countries in South Asia are investing in smart classrooms and digital learning platforms, but continue to face challenges related to content quality, teacher preparedness, internet connectivity and maintenance costs.

A major focus of the discussion was the need to train future teachers in digital tools and digital pedagogy. Dr. Amarasuriya pointed to the importance of developing digital training programmes through the 20 National Colleges of Education, which are responsible for teacher training in the country.

She noted that approximately 6,000 trainee teachers pass through these institutions annually. If these teachers are properly trained in digital technology, it could create a significant qualitative transformation in Sri Lanka’s school system.

This teacher-first approach reflects a growing global understanding that educational technology is most effective when teachers are prepared not only to operate digital devices, but also to integrate technology into classroom learning, assessment and student engagement.

During the discussion, officials revealed that steps are being taken to establish smart classrooms in 100 selected schools. Under the first phase, facilities will be provided to 50 schools, while the remaining 50 schools will be covered in a later phase.

The initiative is expected to support the broader digital transformation agenda of the education system. However, the Prime Minister’s remarks indicate that the government wants the smart classroom project to be connected with curriculum development, teacher training and platform-based content delivery.

This approach may help prevent smart classrooms from becoming isolated infrastructure projects with limited classroom impact.

Representatives of Rotary International said they are prepared to support the Government of Sri Lanka by providing digital learning platforms free of charge. They also expressed willingness to assist in the creation of educational content using modern technologies, including Artificial Intelligence.

The use of AI in education could support content development, personalised learning, assessment design and teacher assistance. However, the Prime Minister’s emphasis on government-led platforms and quality standards suggests that such technology partnerships will need to be carefully structured and regulated.

The discussion also focused on the need to establish a formal agreement-based mechanism between the government and the private sector. Such a framework, participants noted, would be necessary to ensure long-term sustainability, accountability and coordination in digital education projects.

Officials and stakeholders also discussed practical challenges that schools may face during implementation, including electricity costs, internet connectivity expenses and the systematic management of digital infrastructure.

These issues remain critical for developing countries where digital education projects often struggle due to recurring costs, poor connectivity, uneven access and lack of maintenance support.

Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya said that a five-year plan for the digital transformation of Sri Lanka’s education system will be finalised in the near future. She requested Rotary representatives and other stakeholders to align their contributions with the priorities identified in the national plan.

The proposed five-year roadmap is expected to provide direction for infrastructure development, digital content creation, teacher training, platform integration and long-term policy coordination.

Sri Lanka’s planned digital education push comes at a crucial time when education systems across the world are rethinking the role of technology in classrooms. While digital tools can expand access and improve learning experiences, their success depends on how they are designed, governed and used by teachers.

The Prime Minister’s statement places the spotlight on an important policy concern: smart classrooms alone cannot guarantee smarter learning. Without trained teachers, quality content, reliable internet, affordable electricity and national-level coordination, digital education risks becoming a fragmented and unequal system.

For Sri Lanka, the challenge will be to ensure that its digital education roadmap is inclusive, sustainable and focused on actual learning outcomes.

Sri Lanka’s digital education agenda is entering an important phase, with the government signalling that technology must serve learning rather than replace educational fundamentals. By prioritising infrastructure, teacher training, curriculum-aligned content and an official public platform, the country has an opportunity to build a more structured and equitable digital learning ecosystem.