Pages are torn from the module printed at a cost of 60 million and distributed.

Over the past few days, there has been intense discussion in society regarding certain content in the English language module compiled by the National Institute of Education for sixth-grade students under the new education reform process. Taking this controversial situation into consideration, the Ministry of Education has now taken a policy decision to remove the identified inappropriate sections in that module and subsequently distribute those books among schoolchildren.

It is reported that authorities are taking swift action regarding this incident, which is alleged to have adverse effects on the minds of young children.

Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, has officially confirmed this decision, stating that after physically removing the pages containing the problematic content, the remaining parts are to be provided for children's use. The Ministry Secretary further revealed that the process of distributing these books has not yet commenced, and all printed copies are currently kept safely in warehouse complexes in Colombo. Accordingly, it is expected that these modules will be issued to schools after the relevant amendments are made in the coming days.

A major reason for this incident becoming a more serious matter is the large sum of money spent by the government to print these books. As pointed out by the Secretary, over 60 million rupees (6 crores) have been spent to print three hundred and fifty thousand (350,000) copies of this English language module. Some parties also point out that facing such a problem before distributing a stock of books printed with such a large amount of public money is a serious administrative issue. However, it appears that authorities are trying to minimize potential additional financial losses by removing the problematic pages and providing the remaining parts to children without reprinting. Furthermore, the Ministry of Education plans to issue a special set of instructions to educate teachers on the use of these revised books.

Venerable Ulapane Sumangala Thero, the convener of the Association of Education Professionals, who pioneered in bringing this issue to public attention, leveled a serious accusation regarding the content of these books. He pointed out that students were directed to an internet website to explore further information related to one lesson in this module. However, upon accessing the web address provided to students as a curriculum-related activity, he revealed that it redirects to a website containing content promoting homosexual activities. He emphasized that the inclusion of such inappropriate content in an educational tool for young children is strongly condemned and that it is an act that misleads children.

Serious doubts have now arisen as to whether this situation is merely an oversight or the result of some planned conspiracy. The Ministry of Education suspects that certain individuals have deliberately included such an inappropriate section in the curriculum with the aim of undermining the new education reform program introduced by the government and embarrassing the government. Based on this suspicion, Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa has also lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), requesting a full investigation into the incident.

Currently, the Criminal Investigation Department has launched a comprehensive investigation based on the complaint and is expected to uncover the individuals behind this incident and their motives. It is reported that in addition to the Ministry, several other teacher unions have also lodged complaints with the Criminal Investigation Department regarding this matter. The Ministry of Education strongly believes that this is more than just a mistake in a book and could be a conspiracy launched to erode public trust in the education reform process. However, authorities are taking steps to carry out the book distribution process more cautiously and with revisions until the investigations are concluded.