A discussion between representatives of the Catholic Church and the Government was held at the Presidential Secretariat.

The meeting was co-chaired by Minister of Science and Technology Krishantha Abeysena and President’s Secretary Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.Discussions focused on administrative issues relating to Catholic schools taken over by the Government, the formulation of a teacher cadre system for Catholic religious education, the need to recruit Catholic nuns and priests into the teaching profession, and the establishment of a mechanism to obtain the support of the Ministry of Education for activities related to Government-acquired Catholic schools.It was also decided that discussions with the Catholic Church would be held three times a year, and that Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage would serve as the Secretary to the forum.