PM Calls for Rethinking Academic Success

COLOMBO (News 1st); Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has called for a critical reassessment of how success is measured within Sri Lanka’s university system, urging a more balanced approach to research, teaching, and societal engagement.

Speaking as both a policymaker and an academic, Dr. Amarasuriya acknowledged the notable rise in research symposiums, conferences, and academic publications across the country’s universities in recent years. While this growth has elevated institutional visibility and contributed to improved global university rankings, she cautioned against allowing rankings to become the sole benchmark of academic excellence.

Dr. Amarasuriya emphasized that research remains a core mission of universities, not only for generating new knowledge but also for enriching the learning experience and nurturing future scholars. However, she warned against extremes—between the traditional, elitist ‘ivory tower’ model and a purely commercial, corporate-driven university structure.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to:

Expanding support for interdisciplinary and collaborative research
Promoting open access to scholarly work
Encouraging international academic partnerships