Ministry of Education (Sri Lanka)

{{Short description|Government ministry of Sri Lanka}}

{{more citations needed|date=June 2022}}

{{Infobox government agency

| agency_name = Ministry of Education

| nativename = {{lang|si|අධ්‍යාපන අමාත්‍යාංශය}}
{{lang|ta|கல்வி அமைச்சு}}

| nativename_a =

| nativename_r =

| logo =

| logo_width =

| logo_caption =

| seal = Emblem of Sri Lanka.svg

| seal_width = 50

| seal_caption =

| picture =

| picture_width =

| picture_caption =

| formed =

| preceding1 =

| preceding2 =

| dissolved =

| superseding =

| jurisdiction = Government of Sri Lanka

| headquarters = Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte

| coordinates = {{coord|6|53|27.5|N|79|55|48.4|E|type:landmark_region:LK|display=inline}}

| employees = ~300,000 (2021){{Cite web |date=31 December 2021 |title=Annual School Census of Sri Lanka |url=https://moe.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/School_Census-2021_Summary-Tables-Final-Report1.pdf |website=Ministry of Education Sri Lanka}}

| budget = {{increase}} LKR 213 billion (2025){{Cite web |date=17 February 2025 |title=Budget 2025 |url=https://www.treasury.gov.lk/api/file/025eaff6-db38-42b5-9747-3b4e4231a968 |website=Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development}}
({{increase}} 6.9% of GDP)

| minister1_name = Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya{{cite web|url=http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.lk/cab/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25&Itemid=23&lang=en|title=LIST OF CABINET MINISTERS|website=cabinetoffice.gov.lk|accessdate=2022-06-10}}

| minister1_pfo = Minister of Education

| minister2_name =

| minister2_pfo =

| chief1_name = Mr N.H.M.Chithrananda

| chief1_position = Permanent Secretary

| chief2_name =

| chief2_position =

| agency_type =

| parent_agency =

| child1_agency = State Ministry of Higher Education

| child2_agency = Department of Examinations

| keydocument1 =

| website = {{url|https://moe.gov.lk/}}

| footnotes =

}}

The Ministry of Education{{cite web|url=http://documents.gov.lk/files/egz/2022/5/2281-41_E.pdf|title=Extra Gazette No. 2281/41 of 27.05.2022 (Duties and Functions)|website=documents.gov.lk|accessdate=2022-06-10}} ({{langx|si|අධ්‍යාපන අමාත්‍යාංශය}}; {{langx|ta|கல்வி அமைச்சு}}) is a ministry of the Government of Sri Lanka that directs the formulation and implementation of policies related to primary, secondary, and tertiary education in Sri Lanka. Currently, Sri Lanka allocates less than 2% of its GDP on education, which falls well below the international benchmark of 4-6%, making it one of lowest in the region, UNICEF emphasised until 2025.{{Cite web |date=12 August 2021 |title=BUDGET BRIEF: EDUCATION SECTOR SRI LANKA 2021 |url=https://www.unicef.org/srilanka/media/2706/file/BUDGET%20BRIEF:%20EDUCATION%20SECTOR%202021.pdf |website=UNICEF}} In the 2025 Budget, Sri Lanka has made a historic investment in education, allocating substantial funds to enhance various aspects of the sector. A significant portion of the budget focuses on early childhood education, with Rs. 80 million designated for the development of selected Early Childhood Development Centers. Additionally, the meal allowance for preschool children has been increased from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100 per meal, supported by an allocation of Rs. 1,000 million to improve their nutritional intake. Recognizing the dedication of preschool teachers, the government has proposed a Rs. 1,000 increase in their existing allowance, amounting to a total allocation of Rs. 100 million.{{Cite web |last=Devika |date=2025-02-17 |title=Budget 2025: Historic Investment in Education |url=https://www.news.lk/current-affairs/budget-2025-historic-investment-in-education |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=The Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka |language=en-gb}}

In a bid to promote higher education opportunities, Rs. 200 million has been allocated to initiate a program that enables talented students to pursue studies at top-ranked international universities. The government also plans to enhance library facilities, with Rs. 100 million designated for the development of libraries in Jaffna and other regions. Additionally, Rs. 500 million has been proposed to develop specialized sports schools in five provinces, aiming to nurture athletic talent and provide better training facilities.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-17 |title=Sri Lanka 2025 budget proposes 11 new laws under reforms |url=https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-2025-budget-proposes-11-new-laws-under-reforms-205659/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=EconomyNext |language=en}}