By Sarath Wijesinghe PC., Solicitor of the U.K., Former Ambassador to the U.A.E. and Israel, Former secretary to Bar Association and The President,  Ambassadors Forum U.K. and Sri Lanka,With research and editorial assistance by Sugandhika K.  Hangilipola, Attorney-at-Law.

Education is power, a truth demonstrated today by human achievements driven by the strength of the mind. Humanity has reached the moon and will soon reach further into orbit, while advancements continue to bring drastic changes.

The first stanza of the Dhammapada reminds us that all thoughts begin in the mind. If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness follows, conversely, if one acts with an impure mind, suffering follows just as the wheel follows the hoof of the ox. Lord Buddha had no laptops or books, everything was accumulated in his mind and expressed orally, giving rise to the vast volumes of the Tipitaka passed down through generations by word of mouth.

The stanza of the Dhammapada regarding the mind is exhaustive, important, and powerful. The mind is supreme, capable of achievements beyond any other power. Lord Buddha held the entirety of the Tipitaka and his teachings within his mind, preserving them without physical instruments, books, or material aids, demonstrating the profound capacity of the human brain.

Great thinkers across history have emphasized the enduring value of knowledge. Benjamin Franklin noted that an investment in knowledge pays the best interest, a concept mirrored in Plato’s ideas on personal development, while John F. Kennedy highlighted that leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. As Aristotle noted, the best investment is one made in the mind. True education focuses on improving, utilizing, and expanding mental capacity. Because of this profound value, it is the duty of every citizen to prioritize education. In places like Sri Lanka, families often go so far as to sell their personal property just to ensure their children receive a proper education.

Education serves as the ultimate engine of human development and is the most powerful tool in life where the human is what they are today by the development of the mind. Historically, education is held in highest esteem where Kings sent future leaders to ‘Disapamok’, famous and leading teachers in the past of high reputes. To guide governance ethically, ancient rulers also followed the principles of Dasaraja Dhamma (Ten Rules of Kingship).

However, modern educational systems face severe challenges. Passive lecture dictation in higher education suppresses innovation, while an exorbitant “tuition culture” drains family finances. Furthermore, the uncritical importation of foreign modules often creates social friction. To ensure genuine progress, Sri Lanka must pursue home-grown reforms, returning to foundational principles like those of Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara while prioritizing practical English fluency and digital skills. Implementing effective educational policies requires an dedicated Minister of Education who is a true educationist.

Alongside general schooling, legal education plays an irreplaceable role in preserving democracy and social order. As a discipline, the study of law is study of social sciences, education of human beings, to govern over persons, social, political, business and like through the rules. Legal education in Sri Lanka is uniquely complex, blending English Common Law, Roman-Dutch property law, and personal frameworks like Kandyan, Muslim, and Thesawalamai laws.

Despite a legal profession numbering in the tens of thousands, systemic bottlenecks continue to strain the delivery of justice. A heavy backlog of cases, delayed trials, and outdated teaching methods at the Sri Lanka Law College and university law faculties remain key concerns.

Addressing these hurdles requires modernizing legal curricula, fostering judicial temperament, and maintaining strong proficiency in English, the primary medium of higher court records and international commercial precedents.

In parallel, legal education is essential because every citizen is expected to know the law; the absence of legal knowledge is no excuse in any prosecution. Therefore, basic instruction in both general subjects and the law should be introduced and taught starting at the school level.

Ultimately, technical expertise and legal education must remain anchored in absolute moral integrity. The Dhammapada reminds us that not by passing arbitrary judgments a man become wise and the judgement should be given according to the truth. Furthermore, the ancient principle Ignorantia juris non excusat (ignorance of the law is no excuse) highlights the state’s responsibility to educate everyday citizens on basic legal rights and procedures.

When a society combines accessible, home-grown general education with a robust, ethical legal education system, it creates a resilient foundation for the future. By aligning university research with economic innovation, preserving judicial independence, and nurturing moral responsibility, Sri Lanka can truly empower the next generation to serve both the nation and the global community.