Education & Health

The administration of President Maithripala Sirisena has planned a series of reforms that it hopes will better equip Sri Lankans for the more competitive economic activities of the future. It aims not only to increase the number of years spent in school, but also to raise the standards of teaching, and emphasise a curriculum of critical thinking and problem solving. Sri Lanka is also keen to build on its success in public health, with the government also showing a willingness to cooperate with the private sector. Some of the improvements to government hospitals are being undertaken through public-private partnership agreements, while the most recent budget includes plans to establish paying wards within government hospitals in partnership with private operators.

This chapter contains an interview with Ananda Jayawardane, Vice-Chancellor, University of Moratuwa.