The National Shoora Council (NSC) has sent an urgent appeal to Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Hon. Prof. Harini Amarasuriya MP, concerning the lack of representation of the Muslim community in educational policy-making bodies in Sri Lanka. The NSC wrote the letter on August 29, 2025, to address the “lack of reasonable representation of the Muslim community in the education policy-making bodies that are shaping Sri Lanka’s historic 2026 reforms in education”.
According to the NSC, despite the upcoming changes to the education system, there is a “critical gap” in the current appointments to key educational institutions. The NSC highlighted the following examples:
National Education Commission (NEC): There are 15 members, but no Muslim academic representation.
Academic Affairs Board of NIE: There are 15 members, but no Muslim representation.
Council of NIE: There are 11 members, with only one Muslim entrepreneur and no Muslim academics.
Committee for Draft Proposed Education Council: There are 9 members, and no Muslim representation.
Voluntary Advisory Council (Ministry of Education): There are 14 members, and no Muslim representation.
The NSC has urged the Prime Minister to take the following actions:
Immediately appoint qualified Muslim academics and professionals to the NEC, NIE Council, Academic Affairs Board, and other committees related to the reforms.
Adopt an inclusive framework to ensure fair representation of all major communities in education governance during the 2026 reform process.
Demonstrate Sri Lanka’s commitment to equity and unity by ensuring the reforms reflect the voices of all communities.
