Minister of Education Vijitha Herath says action will be taken based on the findings of an internal committee appointed to investigate the inclusion of a reference to an inappropriate website in a newly printed Grade 6 English language module.
Speaking at a special media briefing held today (04) at the Department of Government Information, the Minister confirmed that the committee has submitted its report, and that necessary steps will be taken accordingly.
The distribution of the module was suspended with immediate effect after authorities confirmed that it contained a reference to an inappropriate website. The Ministry of Education said the investigation was launched following a complaint highlighting the issue.
The module was prepared by the National Institute of Education (NIE) and had already been printed at the time the complaint was received.
Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewe, subsequently lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He stated that there is a suspicion that the inclusion may have been carried out conspiratorially by an external party, and that the CID has been requested to urgently identify those responsible for the unauthorized act.
However, Secretary Kaluwewe clarified that the document in question is not the final approved version, stressing that the publication has not been legally finalized and that overall responsibility rests with the Department of Education.
Meanwhile, Director General of the National Institute of Education, Prof. Manjula Vithanapathirana, has decided to temporarily step down from her position pending the conclusion of the inquiry into the controversial module.
Further action will be determined based on the outcome of the investigations.
