Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the government has a structured recruitment process in place and does not offer jobs based on arbitrary criteria, as previous governments have done.
The Prime Minister made these remarks yesterday (18) while responding to questions raised during the Budget Debate in Parliament.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated: "There is no separate data on government spending on primary and secondary education under the free education system. However, the expenditure per student at both levels from 2020 to 2025 has been recorded as follows: LKR 60,136 in 2020, LKR 63,498 in 2021, LKR 75,096 in 2022, LKR 87,594 in 2023, and LKR 97,784 in 2024. An estimated LKR 1,157,150 has been allocated for 2025. However, costs may vary depending on the subject curriculum for tertiary education. On average, LKR 415,313 is spent per student pursuing higher education. These figures are based on recurrent expenditure.
The Ministry of Education or any other institution recognized by the University Grants Commission has never conducted a formal study on the annual government expenditure per student under the free education system.
Several universities have conducted studies on the time taken for graduates to secure employment after completing their degrees. However, these studies are not conducted annually, and there is no centralized system for collecting data separately based on internal, external, and distance education programs in universities.
Furthermore, several studies have explored the challenges faced by graduates in securing employment, revealing that graduate unemployment cannot be attributed to a single factor. Multiple factors contribute to this issue, including the impact of social connections, particularly in the private sector. Unemployment is a complex issue influenced by various dynamics.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced professional development programs for new graduates through career guidance committees. These programs are administered by career guidance unit directors in each university, with plans to expand them across all universities. Additionally, job fairs are organized to bridge the gap between graduates and industry demands, aiming to establish business partnerships and strengthen private sector engagement.
As part of the government’s commitment to addressing employment challenges, 30,000 graduates will be recruited to fill existing vacancies, with a budget allocation of LKR 100 billion set aside for this purpose. The majority of these recruitments will be for teaching positions. The recruitment of graduate teachers will proceed once the resolution of ongoing legal proceedings is received. Other recruitments will be conducted following the standard selection process.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated: "I have already provided an answer to that question. As outlined in the government’s policy statement, we will follow a structured recruitment process. Unlike previous governments, we do not make recruitment decisions based on subjective or arbitrary criteria. There is a well-defined procedure in place. Jobs are provided based on decisions and policies set by the Public Service Commission. We are in the process of providing over 10,000 jobs through proper recruitment, including exams and interviews.
A committee, led by the Secretary to the Prime Minister, has been established to assess and address job vacancies. This committee is responsible for identifying necessary vacancies and ensuring they are filled accordingly."
Prime Minister’s Media Division