Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Nuwara - Eliya

Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education

Profession: Medical Doctor

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 125 #36 of 225·#17 in party

Attendance 5/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

125 speeches

20 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna acknowledged the contribution of teachers who acted as principals during vacancies, particularly in difficult schools, and said discussions with their representatives and officials are ongoing. He stated that future principal appointments must comply with service statutes and be made under the Education Administrative Service and Principals’ Service criteria. He noted there are about 4,000 vacancies, recruitment had been delayed by litigation but can now proceed following Attorney-General’s advice, and the Government may consider rule-compliant compassionate recognition, possibly including a financial component, for those who served. Oral Question: Acting Principals in Government Schools (Q.Unspecified/2024) EducationPublic Finance Read →
20 June 2025 AI summary As a response on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, it was stated that 2,994 teachers were serving as acting or covering principals as of 30 April 2024, without having been recruited to the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service. A Cabinet memorandum seeking approval to appoint them to Class III on a supra-grade basis was not approved, and the Public Service Commission also declined concurrence under Article 55(3) of the Constitution. The response stated that vacancies in the Principals’ Service must be filled through recruitment and that supra-grade appointments are therefore not possible. Oral Question: Acting Principals in Government Schools (Q.Unspecified/2024) EducationPublic Finance Read →
20 June 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said teacher shortages persist by subject even in urban schools, alongside uneven deployment across the system. He stated that future graduate recruitments and teacher college intakes should be subject-based and vacancy-based, supported by a teacher balancing policy and an improved data system to track postings and transfers between National and Provincial schools. He also said the Ministry is reviewing school meal implementation with nutrition and health authorities and seeking a technical report to address gaps in provision and documentation. Oral Question: Grade Five Scholarship Examination Successful Candidates (Q.159/2024) EducationPublic Finance Read →
20 June 2025 AI summary Dr. Madhura Senevirathna stated that the Ministry agrees on the need to accelerate curriculum reform, noting that ICT has not been substantially updated for about 15 years despite the normal eight-year revision cycle. He said the 2026 curriculum development process, including for Grades 1 and 6, is organized into five components covering curriculum, assessment, and strategic changes, with project timelines and accountable officers. He added that gaps in previous reforms have been identified and are being addressed through a structured programme within defined timeframes. Oral Question: Grade Five Scholarship Examination Successful Candidates (Q.159/2024) Education Read →
20 June 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister, responding on behalf of the Prime Minister and Education Minister, provided figures for Grade 5 Scholarship Examination pass rates and low-income student numbers from 2022 to 2024. He stated that the examination will continue unchanged until 2029, with a committee to be appointed in 2028 to review its future and the Department of Examinations tasked with redesigning papers to reduce pressure on children. He added that the Government is working to reduce school disparities and introduce alternative school placement and assistance options, with any discontinuation decision to be considered after 2028. Oral Question: Grade Five Scholarship Examination Successful Candidates (Q.159/2024) Education Read →
18 June 2025 AI summary As part of the education reforms, priority will be given to developing the nearest accessible primary school within a three-kilometre radius. From next year, the programme will be implemented strategically, with resource allocation based on subject-specific needs, including the provision of “friendly classrooms” where required. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Education Read →
18 June 2025 AI summary Funds have been allocated for works at all 33 schools, tender processes have been completed, and completion is expected by 2026. He stated that the Government has prioritized funding unfinished school buildings and related facilities this year, with the Central Province’s allocation approximately doubled and many tenders already finalized to expedite completion. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions EducationPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
18 June 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Madhura Senevirathna, answering on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, said 1,995 projects were launched in government schools in the Central Province under “The Nearest School - the Best School” programme. He stated that 1,962 projects had been completed, with remaining works to be addressed through 2025 allocations of Rs. 1,000 million to the Central Province Chief Secretary for 29 provincial schools and Rs. 36.58 million to the Central Provincial Department of Education for four projects. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions InfrastructureEducation Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, on behalf of the Prime Minister and the relevant Minister, requested a two-week period to provide the answer to the matter raised. Oral Question Q.307/2024 (Standalone, Deferred) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 June 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the member tabled a written answer regarding construction works. The answer stated that 237 constructions had been completed at a cost of Rs. 1,436.79 million, with no remaining works and no further applicable details. Oral Questions: Azad Maulana Easter Attacks Statement and Government School Constructions in Monaragala (Tabled Answers) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna stated that shortages of physical and human resources affect schools islandwide, with particular severity in estate areas. He outlined targeted measures for estate communities, including a Rs. 600 million Indian-assisted grant project, Rs. 30 million from the Budget, and Rs. 10 million under the GEM project for staff training. He said estate schools would receive special consideration in the Government’s policy to ensure fully resourced primary schools within a three-kilometre radius or where needed, especially in view of transport and access difficulties. Oral Question: Tamil-medium Government Schools in Kalutara District A/L Subject Streams (Q.714/2025) Land & HousingEducation Read →
5 June 2025 AI summary In response to a question on teacher shortages in estate-sector schools, Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna acknowledged shortages of teachers and physical resources in those schools. He said Teacher Assistants recruited in early 2024 are intended to be absorbed into the Teacher Service after meeting statutory requirements, but the process has been delayed by court action. He also stated that 2024 recruitment to National Colleges of Education was aligned with subject and regional vacancies, and that graduates from the Sripada National Institute of Education are being prioritized for estate schools to reduce disparities. Oral Question: Tamil-medium Government Schools in Kalutara District A/L Subject Streams (Q.714/2025) EmploymentEducation Read →
5 June 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Deputy Minister confirmed that Tamil-medium G.C.E. (O/L) classes are being conducted in the relevant schools. He stated that there are 62 such schools in total, including 15 schools offering Tamil-medium classes from Grades 1 to 11, with the answer to continue. Oral Question: Tamil-medium Government Schools in Kalutara District A/L Subject Streams (Q.714/2025) Education Read →
3 June 2025 AI summary The Minister said health workforce placements are becoming constrained and that staffing requirements must be reassessed alongside the output of state medical faculties. He stated that universities will not be closed, but a time-bound, multi-party review will determine the appropriate course of action. Oral Question: Government Universities and Higher Education Admissions (Q.381/2025) EducationHealthcare Read →
3 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna said the Government’s education reforms aim to expand higher education pathways beyond universities by integrating vocational education into schools, creating progression routes into higher education, and aligning training with job creation under the economic programme. He said work on transnational education is focused on quality enhancement and exchange programmes with state and other universities, guided by student needs and UNESCO competency-based approaches. On Kotelawala Defence University, he said its medical graduate output and hospital placement capacity are being reviewed through a multi-stakeholder process, stressing that universities are not being closed and noting that KDU comes under the Ministry of Defence rather than the UGC. Oral Question: Government Universities and Higher Education Admissions (Q.381/2025) EducationEmployment Read →
3 June 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Madhura Senevirathna, replying on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, provided detailed data on Sri Lanka’s higher education sector, including 17 UGC universities with 122 faculties, several other state higher education institutions, student enrolments, faculty numbers, and professor counts. He stated that, under the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978, only state universities are termed “universities,” while 28 private/local degree-awarding institutes are recognized under Section 25A, with 49,146 students enrolled as at 31 December 2024. He said the Ministry does not maintain per-student cost data for private degree-awarding institutes because they do not receive Treasury funding, though their recognition criteria and annual reports are subject to oversight. Oral Question: Government Universities and Higher Education Admissions (Q.381/2025) Education Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Deputy Minister tabled answers to a question regarding National Schools in the Dehiwala DS Division. He stated that there is no boys’ National School in the Division, no current plan to establish one, and no ongoing programme to create new National Schools or convert any school in the Division to National School status. Oral Questions - Second Round (Q.2/2024, Q.3/2025, Q.4/2025, Q.5/2025, Q.6/2025) Education Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary An audit inquiry is underway regarding the matter raised. The member stated that discussions are also being held with officials on appointing an additional inquiry panel to recommend further action, and that steps will be taken accordingly. Oral Questions: Primary Health Care and School Infrastructure Projects Justice & Human Rights Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary Construction work that began in 2012 has received intermittent allocations through 2024, with around 70% completed. In response to concerns about possible irregularities, an audit process has begun and a full audit is currently underway. Oral Questions: Primary Health Care and School Infrastructure Projects Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary The response clarified that the project in question concerns Regi Ranatunga Model Primary School, Minuwangoda, not President’s College, and began on 13 June 2012 with an initial estimate of about Rs. 150 million and expenditure so far of Rs. 187.8 million. It stated that the contract was directly awarded to the Western Provincial Road Development Authority with funds released annually against staged estimates, and that the work is about 70 per cent complete. The delay was attributed to insufficient annual budgetary allocations to meet remaining stage estimates, with around 12 more months required for completion. Oral Questions: Primary Health Care and School Infrastructure Projects EducationPublic Finance Read →