Editorial photo #12579920 Social Issue

Protest Against Education Privatization In Colombo

Sri Lanka's doctors for free education stage a protest in front of General Hospital against education privatization and the abolition of KDU (The General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on July 24, 2025. The General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) is at the center of heated debate in Sri Lanka regarding the privatization and militarization of higher education. Several government decisions in 2025, especially the restriction of civilian and local student admissions to its medical faculty, intensify public discussion about educational equity, government policy, and the future of free education in Sri Lanka. In May 2025, KDU abruptly stops admitting fee-paying civilian students to its undergraduate medical program. This move is justified by government spokespeople as a return to KDU's original mandate to train military cadets but is met with widespread criticism from student groups, medical associations, and political leaders. (Photo by Akila Jayawardena/NurPhoto)

Photo details

Photo ID: #12579920
Date taken: 24 July 2025
Location: —
Photographer: Akila Jayawardena/NurPhoto
Category: Social Issue

Related keywords

Free Education Privatization Sir John Kotelawala Defence Univers Sri Lanka doctors free education protest General Hospital education privatization abolish KDU General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Colombo privatization militarization higher education government decisions 2025 civilian student admissions medical faculty educational equity government policy future of free education fee-paying students undergraduate medical program military cadets criticism student groups medical associations political leaders public discussion restriction local students educational debate admission policy government spokespeople original mandate.