Arrangements Sri Lanka has made to preserve the rights of minorities to education in relation to content and delivery of the curriculum By Professor Lal Perera, Director-General of the National Institute of Education, Sri Lanka Madam Chairperson, Madam Independent Expert on Minority Issues, Distinguish experts, delegates, ladies and gentlemen, First of all, let me thank the Independent Expert on Minority Issues and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for inviting me to address this Forum, as the Drector General of Sri Lanka’s National Institute of Education. Sri Lanka welcomes the draft recommendations of this Forum since they embody principles that in general Sri Lanka has followed over the years. We continue to maintain our services to all our citizens, including not just free education but even the provision of free school uniforms and books in each language medium, even to those in areas temporarily not in government control. Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society of about 20 million people of whom nearly a quarter are from minority communities, mainly Tamil and Muslim. The Constitution of Sri Lanka provides for ‘the complete eradication of illiteracy and the assurance to all persons of the right to universal and equal education at all levels’. The provision of education to all our children is thus a national priority. In Sri Lanka just over a quarter of school children belong to minority groups while nearly 30% of schools cater to students pursuing studies in the Tamil medium. Almost 23% of teachers are trained in Tamil medium. Regulations adopted in 1997 ensure compulsory education to all children between Grades 1 to 9, while we hope to raise the compulsory education level up to Grade 11, ie 16 years. Despite problems caused by terrorism, the government has ensured that the education of children in conflict-affected areas, including the conduct of national exams, continues without interruption. The examination for the General Certificate of Education is even now being conducted for displaced children. In addition education for children displaced by conflict is ensured by facilitating admission to schools near long term and even temporary welfare centres.