Education in Sri Lanka

Similarly, when former President Rodrigo Duterte approved operations in 2021, the diocese and Aklan officials repeatedly pleaded for reconsideration, citing public opposition.

[upbeat music]A church official is sounding the alarm over rising restrictions on faith-based education in Sri Lanka.

In an October 6th statement, Father Ranjith Madurawala, general manager of Catholic private schools in the Archdiocese of Colombo, explained that state-controlled school children face severe hurdles in accessing Catholic religious instruction.

Under 1960 and 1961 legislation during Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike's government, the state acquired 690 Catholic schools, despite fierce opposition from Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists, and Baptists.