Cardinal Seeks Equal Learning Opportunities for All Students

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A discussion between the Government and the Catholic Church was held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday, co-chaired by Minister of Science and Technology Krishantha Abeysena and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The meeting focused on several issues affecting Catholic educational institutions, including administrative challenges faced by Catholic schools that have been taken over by the State.

Discussions also reviewed progress on establishing a structured mechanism for Catholic religious education and the recruitment of Catholic nuns and priests into the teaching profession.

Participants further examined arrangements for obtaining support from the Ministry of Education in relation to the administration and functioning of State-managed Catholic schools.

During the meeting, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith expressed appreciation for the practice of holding discussions with the Catholic Church three times a year, describing it as a positive step towards maintaining dialogue and cooperation.

The Cardinal also stressed that the Government should continue to closely examine the environmental damage caused to Sri Lanka's maritime territory by the X-Press Pearl disaster.

He further emphasized that his aspiration is to ensure that all students, without discrimination, are given the opportunity to learn their own religion and receive proper religious education within the school system.

Cardinal Ranjith also pointed out the need to address existing challenges in the education sector, highlighting the importance of finding practical solutions to issues affecting schools and students.