The decision on the distribution of the Hathe Ape Potha textbook will be made this week based on a report by the Education Publication Department. According to Education Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, the department has been instructed to hand in the report into the textbook before next Friday.
“Following the report, the Education Ministry will make a decision whether the textbook could be circulated among school students next year,” he said. This move comes following an accusation by Ven. Medagoda Abhayatissa Thera claiming that the textbook contains inappropriate content. The Thera at a press conference held recently demanded an immediate ban on the book.
Hathe Ape Potha had been compiled by the Health Ministry and the Education Ministry in a bid to create sexual and reproductive health awareness among students from Grade 7.