Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Colombo

Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education

Profession: University Lecturer

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 536 #7 of 225·#3 in party

Attendance 4/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

536 speeches

10 June 2026 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya moved for parliamentary approval of rules made under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2492/10 of 9 June 2026, noting that Cabinet approval had been signified. She also moved for approval of a resolution under the Essential Public Services Act. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that her position was against the political exploitation of schoolchildren and the use of school events for inappropriate political activity. She clarified that this does not prohibit local MPs from visiting schools for observations or participating in ceremonies, but emphasized opposition to any political misuse of the school system and children. Oral Question: School Dropouts Since 2010 (Q.3) EducationParliamentary Procedure Read →
10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government has begun improving data collection to better target support for schoolchildren, while continuing interventions despite current data gaps. She said ongoing programmes include providing shoes, nutritious meals, uniforms, books, sanitary pads for girls, and stationery allowances for low-income children, including through Aswesuma beneficiary households and small schools. She acknowledged that coverage is not yet fully accurate and said the aim is to obtain reliable data this year to improve delivery. Oral Question: School Dropouts Since 2010 (Q.3) EducationCost of Living Read →
10 June 2026 AI summary The Minister provided figures on estimated school dropouts in Grades 1–10 from 2018 to 2024, noting that no ministry data is available for 2010–2017 and that some recorded attrition may reflect transfers, migration, or movement to international schools rather than cessation of education. She said district-wise figures were tabled, and identified personal, school-related, family-related, societal, and alternative activity-related factors as key causes, based on a 2024–2025 ministry study. She outlined compulsory education obligations for ages 5–16, existing non-formal education and welfare measures, monitoring mechanisms, and forthcoming education reforms and digitization of teacher and student data to improve retention and tracking. Oral Question: School Dropouts Since 2010 (Q.3) Education Read →
10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya requested two weeks’ time to provide answers to a question seeking details on school dropouts since 2010. Oral Question: Rebuilding Sri Lanka Account Expenditure (Q.2) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 June 2026 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya argued that the previous electoral system was rejected by voters and had unresolved flaws, including inadequate women’s and youth representation, weak single-member accountability, and corruption linked to preferential voting. She said the Government is working to correct these deficiencies before holding elections and called on Members to help expedite the relevant Committee’s work. Procedural: Points of Order and Supplementary Questions Women & ChildrenCorruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
10 June 2026 AI summary A response was given to concerns about elections, stating that the Government has held two elections in the past one and a half years and has no reluctance to face further elections. It was emphasized that the current matter is a legal issue, that a Committee has been appointed to consider it, and that proposals may be submitted to that Committee, whose decisions the Government says it will follow democratically. Procedural: Points of Order and Supplementary Questions Corruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya replied to questions on overdue Provincial Council elections, listing the expiry dates of all nine Councils between 2017 and 2019. She stated that although the Provincial Councils Elections Act requires a poll notice after expiry or dissolution, elections could not be held because the post-2017 legal framework depends on completion and parliamentary approval of delimitation. She said a Parliamentary Select Committee has been appointed to recommend the electoral system and further action will follow its report, while affirming that all legally due elections will be held and that the Government has not decided to withhold any election. Procedural: Points of Order and Supplementary Questions Parliamentary ProcedureEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
10 June 2026 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Minister of Energy would respond to the matter raised. Oral Question: Renewable Energy and Electricity Generation (Q.1) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the measures under discussion aim to gradually reduce electricity tariffs through planned changes in the energy sector. She said earlier plans had not been adequately implemented, noting that renewable energy capacity rose from 1,400 MW before the Government assumed office to 2,800 MW after a further 1,400 MW was added in the past one and a half years. She emphasized that energy sector reform requires target-driven, long-term implementation rather than overnight change. Oral Question: Renewable Energy and Electricity Generation (Q.1) Cost of LivingInfrastructure Read →
10 June 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister, responding to questions from Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, outlined plans to reach 70 per cent renewable electricity generation by 2030, including planned additions of 1,274 MW of wind and 2,071 MW of solar capacity, expansion of transmission and distribution, and multiple battery energy storage projects. She said procurement or preparatory work is underway for several BESS projects, including 160 MW/640 MWh already procured, 250 MW/1000 MWh approved by Cabinet, projects supported by the ADB, a Korean grant-funded Hambantota pilot, and private sector-funded storage linked to solar plants. She stated that these measures are intended to improve renewable energy absorption, grid stability and reliability, reduce emergency power generation, and potentially lower electricity tariffs through proper procurement and storage agreements. Oral Question: Renewable Energy and Electricity Generation (Q.1) InfrastructureEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
9 June 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister provided a written response to a question on G.C.E. Ordinary Level Sinhala, Tamil and English results from 2015 to 2025, stating that annual candidate numbers, failures and failure percentages were included in an annex. She outlined measures to improve language education, including teacher training, mock and model papers, e-Thaksalawa and Gurugedara resources, competitions, reading promotion, English-speaking initiatives, Regional English Support Centres, learning resources and partnerships with institutions such as universities, the British Council and Goethe-Institut. It was also noted that appointments of suitably qualified graduates have been made for language teaching, while a separate question by Hon. Ajith P. Perera was deferred for two weeks at the request of the Minister of Health and Mass Media. Adjournment and Written Answers Education Read →
9 June 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister provided the Government’s response to a question on the economic impact of the “Ditva” cyclone, outlining compensation mechanisms issued through Finance Ministry circulars and Disaster Relief Service Guidelines, with sector-specific payments for agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and MSMEs. She detailed a concessional working capital loan scheme for affected enterprises, allocating Rs. 10,000 million through 15 banks, with Rs. 3,812.48 million disbursed to 2,980 enterprises by 28 April 2026, alongside banking moratoria and fee waivers under Central Bank directions. She also stated that disaster management institutions and relevant line ministries have prepared recovery and future risk-reduction plans, with annexed documents placed in the Library. Ministerial Statements AgricultureCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister responded to a question on WP/Ho/Paragoda Kithulagoda Junior School, stating that no decision has been taken to close the school, which was established on 31 July 1939. She provided annual student numbers from 2015 to 2025, showing a decline to 43 students in 2025, and noted that the School Development Society has decided to take steps to increase enrolment. She said the school is in a high flood-risk area but is not submerged due to its elevated location, though access roads can be flooded, and it currently functions as a disaster relief centre; nearby alternative schools were also identified if student transfers become necessary. Written Answers to Questions EducationInfrastructure Read →
8 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya welcomed Vietnamese President To Lam to Parliament during his State Visit marking 55 years of Sri Lanka–Viet Nam diplomatic relations, noting historical links, mutual support, and cooperation in multilateral fora. She highlighted the growth of bilateral ties across politics, trade, education, technology, agriculture, culture, and people-to-people exchanges, and described his address as the first by a Vietnamese leader to Sri Lanka’s Parliament. She also referred to Viet Nam’s development experience in digital transformation, green growth, infrastructure, and human capital as relevant to Sri Lanka’s own policy direction. Opening: Ceremonial Reception of H.E. To Lam, President of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Foreign Affairs Read →
7 May 2026 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said the Emergency is being maintained only to ensure uninterrupted public services and accelerate recovery following Cyclone “Ditwah” and the Middle East conflict, rejecting allegations that it has been used to detain youths, prevent gatherings, or support anti-narcotics operations. She outlined progress in relief payments for affected households, displaced families, schoolchildren, farmers, livestock owners, inland fishers, and boat owners, citing high disbursement rates across most schemes. She said infrastructure restoration, including housing, highways, and railways, is being carried out with disaster risk reduction and scientific siting, and argued that the Emergency is being used to deliver relief and services efficiently rather than to protect the Government or oppress citizens. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Public FinanceInfrastructureEnvironment Read →
6 May 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister presented the Telecommunication Levy (Amendment) Bill to amend the Telecommunication Levy Act, No. 21 of 2011, and the Finance (Amendment) Bill to amend the Finance Act, No. 35 of 2018. Both Bills were ordered to be printed, scheduled for Second Reading on 20 May 2026, and referred to the Committee on Public Finance. Bills Presented Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
6 May 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister said the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs has begun regulating private preschools, while the Ministry of Education has asked divisions to assess needs and propose new preschools, particularly in underserved areas such as the North and East. She stated that preschool administration falls under the Women and Children’s Affairs Ministry and would be coordinated with them. On volunteer teachers, she asked for specific case details, said the Ministry would inquire through provincial authorities, and indicated that a committee could be appointed if affected groups from the 2007 issue remain. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Points of Order EducationWomen & Children Read →
6 May 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that the Ministry needs time to inquire at provincial level into allegations of political interference in granting permanent appointments to volunteer teachers, as it currently lacks such information. She said Cabinet approval in 2007 allowed only up to 4,700 volunteer teachers to be appointed as teacher assistants under a 2006 Cabinet Memorandum, and provinces were informed that no further appointments should be made. She added that the Ministry has not recruited volunteer teachers after 4 January 2007. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Points of Order EducationCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
6 May 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister said preschool education needs regulation and standardization, noting that most preschools are privately run and therefore their teachers cannot currently be given permanent Government appointments or fixed Government salaries or allowances. She said the Ministry is working with the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs on preschool education reforms for 2027, including implementation of the National Early Childhood Education Curriculum Framework, teacher guides, model activities, and provincial-level teacher training. She also stated that a National Policy for Preschool Education is planned for 2026, that no provincial school was declared a national school in 2014, and that some requested information is not presently available with the Ministry. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Points of Order Women & ChildrenEducation Read →