Colombo, Sri Lanka – August 20, 2026 – Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya today firmly refuted claims made in Parliament yesterday by an Opposition Member of Parliament regarding delays in teachers’ salaries. The Prime Minister underscored that such statements were entirely false and that teachers are receiving their due payments on schedule and without issue.
The Prime Minister’s remarks, delivered in Parliament, also shed light on significant steps being taken to formalise and enhance the appointment process for school principals across the nation, an initiative aimed at strengthening the leadership pillar within Sri Lanka’s education system.
Teachers’ Salaries: PM Dispels False Claims
Addressing concerns stemming from a statement made on August 19, which alleged that teachers would not receive their salaries this month, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya clarified the situation directly. “The statement made in Parliament yesterday claiming that teachers would not receive their salaries this month is completely false,” she asserted.
Dr. Amarasuriya assured the House and the wider public that there is no issue concerning the payment of teachers’ salaries, reiterating that dedicated educators are indeed receiving their remuneration as scheduled and on time. This clarification aims to quell any unnecessary anxieties among the teaching community and their families.
Overhauling Principal Appointment Procedures
In a separate but equally crucial announcement, Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya detailed ongoing efforts to review and reform the appointment process for school principals. Her statement came in response to a question raised by Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijeweera, who enquired whether performance-related qualifications, in addition to basic educational qualifications, are considered during principal appointments.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that the appointment process for school principals has lacked systematic execution for a considerable period. To address this, discussions are currently underway with the Public Service Commission (PSC) to thoroughly review the existing procedure and introduce necessary changes to formalise the process, ensuring greater transparency and meritocracy.
Dr. Amarasuriya highlighted that these reforms fall under the Human Resource Management pillar of the government’s broader education reform agenda. She firmly stated the government’s agreement that the selection of principals should not be limited solely to academic qualifications. Instead, other performance-related factors, crucial for effective school leadership, should also be taken into serious consideration.
Capacity Building for Educational Leadership
Further strengthening the foundation of educational leadership, the Prime Minister revealed that the Ministry of Education is actively conducting a series of training programmes designed to develop the capacities of current and aspiring principals. Looking ahead, a systematic programme to further enhance these capacities is expected to be implemented, alongside a significant initiative to strengthen relevant educational institutions through the National Institute of Education, projected to commence in 2027.
These comprehensive measures underscore the government’s commitment to ensuring stability, professionalism, and high standards within the Sri Lankan education sector, from the timely payment of its vital teaching force to the strategic appointment of its school leaders.
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