PM Harini holds bilateral talks in Philippines to enhance cooperation in education and other sectors

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya of Sri Lanka is currently on an official visit to the Philippines from March 9 to March 11, 2026. During her visit, she has been meeting with important institutions in the Philippines to boost cooperation in areas like education, higher education, technical skills, and agricultural research. On March 10, she met with the Philippine Secretary of Education, Sonny Angara. They talked about improving cooperation in education, focusing on sharing successful education policies, training teachers, reforming curricula, and promoting digital learning. The Prime Minister also shared details about Sri Lanka’s education reforms, which aim to modernize the curriculum and incorporate technology into education, as reported by her Media Division. Additionally, she met with Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, who leads the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the Philippines. Their discussions revolved around enhancing higher education in both nations, emphasizing research cooperation, partnerships between universities, and exchanges for students and faculty. They also discussed improving quality assurance systems. In another meeting, the Prime Minister engaged with Jose Francisco B. Benitez, the Secretary and Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Their conversation focused on collaboration in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), including sharing knowledge and forming institutional partnerships. They also looked into aligning qualification frameworks to improve skill recognition and mobility in the workforce. These meetings highlighted the dedication of Sri Lanka and the Philippines, along with international research institutions, to strengthen their collaboration in education, skills development, and agricultural research, which supports sustainable development and the growth of human capital. The Sri Lankan delegation included Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa, the Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Philippines, and Ms. P.H. Piyumee Bandara, Senior Assistant Secretary to the Prime Minister.