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

17 November 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education presented the National Institute of Business Management Annual Report for 2023. She moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, and the motion was agreed to. Opening - Parliament Sitting EducationParliamentary Procedure Read →
15 November 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister said the Special Expenditure Units reflect the Government’s approach to governance, institutional stability and leadership, rather than only budgetary allocations. She argued that the Government is united by a shared political purpose and party discipline, while responding to Opposition criticism as inconsistent and lacking a coherent policy line. She rejected claims that the Government had adopted neoliberal policies, citing state intervention such as measures to increase plantation workers’ wages within a disciplined fiscal framework. She said the 2026 Budget and related expenditure decisions demonstrate policy continuity, collective leadership and the protection of institutional independence. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister responded to questions under Standing Order 27(2), stating that a seven-member Special Committee including scholar monks nominated by the Mahanayaka Theros has been appointed to draft amendments to the 45-year-old Piriven Education Act in line with wider education reforms. She said the amendments would address recruitment qualifications for Piriven teachers, the composition of the Piriven Education Board, and curriculum reforms, while preserving the distinctive role of Piriven education. She added that the Committee, working with the NIE and NEC, is preparing research toward a National Piriven Education Policy and reforms to Mulika, Maha, and Vidyayathana Piriven syllabi, with a research report due by 31 January 2026, a curriculum framework in 2026, pilot implementation in 2027, and full implementation in 2028. Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) Religion & CultureEducation Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question raised. The question was ordered to stand down. Questions on Order Paper - Q.1312/2025, Q.1323/2025 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said the 2026 Budget demonstrates fiscal discipline, planned governance and political leadership following the 2025 crisis, citing execution of over half of planned spending, an expected improvement by year-end, and a 2.3 percent primary surplus. She argued that the Government is using the existing public service rather than political appointments, while funding salary increases, allowances, equipment and other reforms to improve service delivery. She rejected claims that democracy or multi-party politics are under threat, saying the Government is enforcing the law and implementing a five-year programme focused on institutional rebuilding, anti-corruption, vulnerable groups, debt sustainability and long-term reform. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformEmployment Read →
7 November 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister presented the 2026 budget-related documents, including fiscal reports, public investment plans, the citizens budget, debt management strategy, borrowing plan, tax expenditure statement, public sector cadre information, and the 2025 mid-year fiscal report. She moved that the reports be referred to the Committee on Public Finance, and the motion was agreed to. The Draft Budget Estimates for 2026 were then ordered to lie upon the Table. Tabling of Budget Documents 2026 Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya requested two weeks’ time to provide an answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down, in the context of Question No. 5 - 1346/2025 on international and school cricket stadiums raised by Hon. Upul Kithsiri. Oral Question: (Q.4/2025) - Question stood down Parliamentary Procedure Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya requested two weeks to respond to the question raised. The question was ordered to stand down pending her reply. Oral Question: (Q.3/2025) - Question stood down Parliamentary Procedure Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister presented the report on the deviation of headline inflation from the inflation target under the Monetary Policy Framework Agreement for the first and second quarters of 2025. She moved that the report be referred to the Committee on Public Finance, and the motion was agreed to. Tabling of Reports: Monetary Policy Deviation, Public Accounts Report, Public Finance Committee Report Public Finance Read →
22 October 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister thanked Parliament for holding an awareness programme and Adjournment debate on breast cancer, linking the issue to personal and family experiences. She emphasized that breast cancer is often treatable when detected early and urged women to undertake regular screening, including self-examinations and clinical checks, beginning from young adulthood and certainly by age 35. She noted that services are available through government hospitals, clinics, and NGOs, and called for continued public awareness to save lives. Adjournment Motion: Promote Early Detection of Breast Cancer HealthcareWomen & Children Read →
22 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya tabled answers on the national poverty alleviation initiative, outlining an inter-agency “People’s Empowerment” framework involving new national bodies, reorganised district and divisional coordination structures, and Community Development Councils to prepare participatory Grama Niladhari Division development plans. She identified shortcomings in past approaches, including fragmented programmes, weak community participation, poor targeting, dependency, political influence, skills gaps and inadequate data. The new approach is presented as an empowerment- and livelihood-based model aligned across ministries, linked to the Government’s “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Life” policy and the Sustainable Development Goals, with a target to reduce poverty below 5 percent by 2030. Ministerial Statements: Poverty Alleviation and Industry Development Cost of LivingCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
22 October 2025 AI summary Regulations issued under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act regarding guidelines for granting exemptions or incentives to businesses of strategic importance were presented to Parliament. The motion to refer the regulations, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2454/62 of 20 September 2025, to the Committee on Public Finance was agreed to. Presentation of Reports and Petitions Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
21 October 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister clarified that the 2024 disclosure of 2019 examination results was made through an RTI request and was not inconsistent with her earlier answer. Regarding Development Officers, she said the Government is awaiting court processes and Public Service Commission guidance, seeking to expedite long-pending cases with the Justice Minister’s advice, and will resolve the issue under the teacher service constitution. She also stated that a report on GWUIM has been requested and that action will be taken according to its recommendations. Ministerial Statement: Teacher Vacancies and Development Officers EducationJustice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
21 October 2025 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya provided detailed figures on teacher vacancies as of 31 May 2025, noting 1,501 vacancies in National Schools and 36,178 in Provincial Schools, and outlined planned recruitments in priority subject areas, including foreign languages. She said some recruitment processes, including in-service graduate appointments and Dharmacharya-qualified teacher appointments, have been delayed by court orders, fiscal controls, vacancy limitations, and pending Cabinet or Public Service Commission directions. She also stated that no programme has been implemented to return Development Officers posted to schools to other state institutions, and that action will depend on pending court cases. On Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, she said UGC and other committee reports are being considered, while clinical training has begun following the establishment of professorial units and assignment of staff. Ministerial Statement: Teacher Vacancies and Development Officers EmploymentEducationParliamentary Procedure Read →
21 October 2025 AI summary Undergraduate enrolment at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura totals 18,753 across ten faculties, with the largest numbers in Management Studies and Commerce, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Applied Sciences. The Minister stated that ragging, as defined under the Prohibition of Ragging and Other Forms of Violence in Educational Institutions Act, No. 20 of 1998, exists in many faculties but rejected the claim that it is currently “very severe” at the university. She outlined preventive measures including off-campus accommodation for first-year male students, stricter supervision, plans to separate first-year Technology students, and disciplinary action under UGC Circular 946, the 1986 student discipline framework, and Act No. 20 of 1998, with court referrals where necessary. She also noted the role of the National Task Force to Prevent Ragging and Violence in Universities and Higher Education Institutions in promoting violence-free university environments. Oral Question 11: University Faculty Enrolment (Answer Tabled) Education Read →
21 October 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Question 8 (1313/2025): Stand Down Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya presented several annual and performance reports, including those of the Welfare Benefits Board, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, university institutes, and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, and moved that they be referred to the relevant oversight committees. She also presented rules and orders under the Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Act for referral to the Committee on Public Finance. An order under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, issued on the Commission’s recommendations with Cabinet approval and published in July 2025 gazettes, was ordered to lie upon the Table. Presentation of Papers and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya responded to an Opposition motion concerning Independent Commissions, arguing that the Government had treated the debate seriously while many Opposition Members who requested it were absent. She maintained that no constitutional violation had occurred in relation to the National Police Commission, noting that it may lawfully delegate certain transfer-related authority to the IGP subject to Commission guidelines. She said affected officers retain appeal options through the Police Commission, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, or Fundamental Rights applications, and rejected claims that legal rights or Commission powers had been weakened. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that legal education is already included within Civic Education, citing the Grade 6 Term 3 module and its objectives on legal awareness, responsible use of legal documents, law-abiding citizenship, and national development. She said similar modules are proposed for Grades 7 and 8, and that the Government would consider renaming the subject and introducing Law as an optional subject at O/L and A/L within ongoing education reforms. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Justice & Human RightsEducation Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Fifteen ministerial personal staff positions have been identified. The Prime Minister stated that no personal staff have been appointed for the Ministers of Defence; Finance, Planning and Economic Development; and Digital Economy, while details for 21 other Ministries have been tabled in the Library as annexes. The response noted that the remaining part of the question did not arise. Questions on Advisers and Personal Staff of Ministers Parliamentary Procedure Read →