Ministry Circular 10/2026: Drug-Free Schools Policy – Collective Circles Explained
Circular 10/2026: Establishing 'Collective Circles' to Create Drug-Free Schools in Sri Lanka
The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has issued a landmark circular to eradicate drugs, alcohol, and tobacco from all educational institutions under the 'Ratama Ekata' programme.
📌 Overview
The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has issued Circular No. 10/2026 to all heads of educational institutions across Sri Lanka. This circular supersedes the earlier Circular No. 35/2023 on 'School Friendly Forums' and introduces a more structured, four-tier framework called 'Collective Circles'.
🎯 Core Goal: Transform every school-going child into a person with the personality and life skills to reject all forms of drugs — and ensure all educational institution premises are completely drug-free zones.
The circular is issued in alignment with the national 'Ratama Ekata' programme and the government's overarching policy of building a "Drug-free Country with a Joyful Tomorrow."
🚫 What is Strictly Prohibited
The following substances and activities are absolutely prohibited within all educational premises and during all institution-related activities:
📍 Also prohibited at these events
Inter-school cricket tournaments · Educational trips & picnics · Co-curricular activities · Alumni/old boys events on school premises · Any event organized by parents or well-wishers, whether inside or outside school, with or without school identity.
🏗️ The Four-Tier Collective Circle Structure
Replacing the old 'Friendly Forums', the new Collective Circles operate across four administrative levels:
School Collective Circle
At individual school level
Zonal Collective Circle
At education zone level
Provincial Collective Circle
At provincial department level
National Collective Circle
At Ministry of Education level
🏫 School Collective Circle – Composition
Every school must form a School Collective Circle with the following members:
- Mentors (3)Deputy Principal + Teacher in Charge of Health/Physical Education + Counseling & Guidance Teacher
- ChairmanSenior Student Executive Board Leader (two co-chairmen for mixed schools)
- Vice PresidentStudent Leader
- SecretaryStudent Leader
- Deputy SecretaryStudent
- Committee15 Student Members + 2 Parent Members + 2 Alumni Members
Activities the School Circle Must Organise
- Raise awareness through the school media circle
- Organise leadership programmes on drug prevention
- Conduct drug prevention education sessions for parents
- Maintain and update display boards and notice boards
- Conduct student mentoring programmes for target groups
- Pay special attention to secondary-grade students in all curricular and co-curricular activities
⚠️ Important: All resources for school drug prevention programmes must be obtained only from institutions with written recommendation from the Ministry of Education. Approved bodies include the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol and the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board.
🏢 Institutions Covered by This Circular
This circular applies to all persons working, studying, or participating in activities at:
All Government Schools · Government-Approved Private Schools · All Government Pirivenas · Assisted & Special Schools · National Institute of Education (NIE) · National College of Education · Teachers' Colleges · Teacher Professional Development Centers · South Asian Teacher Development Center · Regional English Support Centers (RESC) · All Zonal & Divisional Education Offices · Department of Examinations
This also covers trainers, parents, alumni, construction workers, canteen staff, and all other persons on institutional premises.
📥 Download Official Circular
Download the full official circular in your preferred language. Available in English, Sinhala (සිංහල), and Tamil (தமிழ்).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 'Collective Circle' and how is it different from the old 'School Friendly Forum'?
The Collective Circle replaces and expands on the Friendly Forum introduced by Circular 35/2023. It introduces a formal four-tier structure from school level all the way up to the Ministry, with clearly defined compositions and responsibilities at each tier.
Are private schools also required to comply?
Yes. The circular explicitly covers all Government-Approved private schools, in addition to government schools, pirivenas, assisted schools, and all educational institutions under the Ministry.
What happens if someone violates this circular?
A complete police complaint report must be forwarded to the Ministry. Heads of institutions are responsible for taking prompt action under the Establishments Code to ensure disciplinary proceedings against violators.
Does this circular apply to school events held outside the school premises?
Yes. It applies to any event organized with or without school identity, inside or outside school grounds — including alumni events, picnics, sports camps, and cultural performances.
Who signed Circular 10/2026?
The circular was signed by Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.
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