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 September 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that details from the Ministry of Power are required to answer the question. She requested two weeks to provide the response. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board (Q.1/2024) and Digital Economy Initiatives (Q.2/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister presented the 2023 Annual Reports of the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology of the University of Kelaniya and the University Grants Commission, and moved that they be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital. She also presented the 2024 Performance Reports of the Department of Registration of Persons and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, moving their referral to the Sectoral Oversight Committees on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, and on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection, respectively; all motions were agreed to. Tabling of Reports and Papers (Annual Reports and Performance Reports) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya supported the Sri Lanka-UAE agreement, arguing that it strengthens trade, diplomatic relations, and international confidence in Sri Lanka’s economic and political stability, while also benefiting over 300,000 Sri Lankans working in the UAE. She emphasized that the Government’s priority is not merely signing agreements but creating the institutional conditions for implementation, including anti-corruption measures and a strengthened independent public service. Responding to Opposition criticism, she rejected claims that public servants are fearful, stating that officials are being freed from political interference while wrongdoing will be dealt with under the law. She also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to dismantling organized narcotics networks and ending political protection for the drug trade. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection Corruption & Governance ReformForeign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that each university degree programme is being assessed separately to ensure the first graduating batch receives recognized and adequate qualifications. She said subject experts are being appointed to advise on quality assurance, with simpler programmes expected to be resolved sooner and more complex ones requiring further scrutiny. She emphasized that no student would be allowed to graduate without guarantees of acceptable quality and recognition by the university system and relevant stakeholders. Procedural and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Education Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on Gampaha Wickramarachchi University, stating that a committee had proposed either affiliating or transferring current programmes to other universities, or continuing the university with improved resources and facilities. She said stakeholder discussions and curriculum reviews are ongoing, with the aim of protecting current students, maintaining programme specializations where possible, improving employability, and resolving infrastructure issues including relocation of some faculties and departments. Admissions to several faculties have been temporarily suspended on UGC instructions, and the UGC will conduct inquiries with legal action to proceed where necessary. Procedural and Standing Order 27(2) Questions EducationInfrastructure Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer to a question on teacher vacancies in Government schools in the Eastern Province. She stated that National Schools do not have an acute overall shortage but face subject-specific vacancies in Mathematics, Geography, Civics and GCE A/L English, while Provincial Schools have significant vacancies as reported by the Provincial Director of Education. Subject- and district-wise details were provided in annexes for National and Provincial Schools. Oral Question: Government Schools in Eastern Province - Teacher Vacancies (Q.1112/2025) Education Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary The Minister presented the Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education concerning the 2022 Annual Report of the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka and the 2023 Annual Report of the University of Peradeniya. The reports had been referred to the Committee and were ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Tabled and Committee Reports Education Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister presented the 2022 Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Technology and moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, which was agreed to. She also presented the 2024 Annual Performance Reports of the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Navy and moved their referral to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection, which was also agreed to. Papers Tabled and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 August 2025 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said the Government is committed to protecting all citizens equally and to building a culture of respect for human rights, beyond formal laws and treaties. She argued that Sri Lanka inherited institutions and norms shaped by corruption, impunity, abuse of power and divisive narratives, which must be reformed or dismantled. She said the Government has sought to avoid hateful narratives, promote unity and accountability, restore respect for the rule of law, and correct shortcomings in matters such as mass graves and detentions where necessary. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCorruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
21 August 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister presented the Sri Lanka–United Arab Emirates Agreement on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments, signed on 12 February 2025, and moved that it be referred to the Committee on Public Finance. She also presented the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts of the Swamy Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies and the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Sri Lanka Air Force, moving that they be referred to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committees; all motions were agreed to. Papers: Reports and Agreements Tabled Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya requested two weeks to respond to the question raised in Parliament. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Question: Q.10/1102/2025 (Deferred) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya presented the 2023/2024 Annual Report of SriLankan Airlines and moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, which was agreed to. She also presented the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman) and moved its referral to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection, which was agreed to. An order under the Customs Ordinance relating to Customs Import Duty, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2444/23 of 09 July 2025, was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers: Annual Reports and Sectoral Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 August 2025 AI summary (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that recruitment rules differ across public services and, in the case of teachers, are governed by the relevant Service Minute. She said the Government cannot provide a blanket position on recruitment procedures, but noted that due to long-standing issues and court cases concerning Development Officer and teacher recruitment, a proposal has been submitted to the courts to permit recruitment without an age limit. Ministry Statements: Gampaha Wickramarachchi University and Teacher Recruitment Procedures EmploymentEducation Read →
7 August 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya said the Government is open to dialogue on strengthening the National Institute of Education, noting its role in curriculum development and teacher training. She accepted the proposal to take the matter up for broader discussion. Oral Question: Bachelor's Degree Requirement for NIE Recruitment (Q.8/2025) Education Read →
7 August 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that, under Department of Management Services guidance, making a degree class a recruitment requirement would require corresponding salary-grade alignment. She said discussions are ongoing, recommendations have been made, and approval is still pending. She clarified that teaching experience has not been removed as a criterion and affirmed the need to maintain quality. Oral Question: Bachelor's Degree Requirement for NIE Recruitment (Q.8/2025) Public FinanceEmployment Read →
7 August 2025 AI summary The Minister answered that changes to the National Institute of Education recruitment requirements were made in line with Department of Management Services circulars and, where relevant, with majority agreement within the Institute. She stated that the proposed schemes recognize experience from government, state enterprises or boards, NGOs, or recognized private institutions, and that revised schemes for senior and academic research grades have been prepared with staff and union concurrence and submitted to the Department of Management Services for approval. Oral Question: Bachelor's Degree Requirement for NIE Recruitment (Q.8/2025) Public FinanceEducation Read →
7 August 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the referenced projects were identified through discussions held in 2023 with relevant officials. She clarified that, under the Government’s 2025 and 2026 Budget proposals, development projects are planned for the Eastern Province, and provincial public representatives may submit proposals through District Development Committees. Oral Question: Projects Approved with Indian Government Assistance - Eastern Province (Q.3/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
7 August 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya clarified that her earlier answer was limited to projects under the MoU signed during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit, as that was the scope of the Member’s question. She stated that Government development plans for the Eastern Province extend beyond those projects, with separate budgetary allocations for 2024, 2025 and 2026, and that provincial officials and public representatives have been asked to submit proposals following consultations. Oral Question: Projects Approved with Indian Government Assistance - Eastern Province (Q.3/2025) InfrastructureForeign Affairs Read →
7 August 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that 33 proposed Eastern Province projects, with an estimated total cost of Rs. 2.37 billion, had been identified for multi-donor funding, covering agriculture, rural industries, fisheries, education, health, Ayurveda facilities, women’s empowerment, and support services for differently-abled children. She said the projects were selected based on sectoral needs and inputs from provincial and divisional-level officials, with stakeholder meetings held in July and October 2023. She added that the Governor of the Eastern Province submitted the proposals to the Indian High Commission in 2023 seeking assistance to improve socio-economic conditions in the province. Oral Question: Projects Approved with Indian Government Assistance - Eastern Province (Q.3/2025) AgricultureEducationHealthcare Read →
7 August 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya presented the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Department of Technical Education and Training. She moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, and the House agreed. Tabling of Reports and Petitions Parliamentary ProcedureEducation Read →