Sri Lanka launches education action plan for peace, sustainable development

By eGov Innovation Editors | Feb 3, 2012

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Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched a national education action plan for peace and sustainable development at Temple Trees, the official residence of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in Colombo, this week.

A report in the government website said the action plan was formulated in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and aims to use education for peace and sustainable development.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said during the launch that Sri Lanka is the first country to implement the program with the assistance of the UNESCO.

Subinay Nandy, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, was also quoted as saying that the plan would benefit the communities most and even during the difficult days of the terrorist conflict and natural disasters, education has always been given priority.

Dr. Qian Tang, Assistant Director General, UNESCO Paris, graced the ceremonies and said is a testimony of Sri Lanka's seriousness to commitment to peace and development.

In the past two years since government troops crushed the separatist Tamil Tigers and ended decades of civil war, the tourism industry has boomed and ushered in growth. A report in the Daily News quoted Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Dr. Nalaka Godahewa as saying that the sector registered 46 percent growth in 2010 and 31 percent growth in 2011.

The government is also bullish in using information and communication technologies to improve the business climate and generate jobs for citizens.