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

6 August 2025 AI summary Investments are assessed not merely by their monetary value but by their alignment with national development goals. The member indicated that precise current-year details would be provided in response to a separate question. Ministerial Statement: Response to Question on Foreign Direct Investment (2025-07-09) Public Finance Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that her answers were based on information received from the Board of Investment and did not include any value judgment on the matters raised. She said the Government does not act in a way that would discourage investors, while noting that the distribution of benefits could be addressed separately if a specific question is submitted. Ministerial Statement: Response to Question on Foreign Direct Investment (2025-07-09) Public Finance Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya responded to questions raised by Hon. D.V. Chanaka on Sri Lanka’s foreign direct investment, providing annual FDI figures from 2005 to May 2025 and noting that detailed sector-wise data had been placed in the Library. She stated that Supreme Sat entered into a BOI agreement in 2012, invested Rs. 12,104.936 million in 2013/14 for a communications satellite initiative, and that no Government funds were invested according to the application. She also outlined the project’s BOI status, ownership structure as of 2019, commencement of commercial operations in 2015, and reported revenues accruing to Sri Lanka from 2015/16 to the first half of 2023. Ministerial Statement: Response to Question on Foreign Direct Investment (2025-07-09) Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that a parliamentary committee would be established to gather Members’ views and develop a solution to the issue raised. She said the Government was working continuously to address the matter properly and that the committee’s work would be taken forward expeditiously. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that a Supreme Court judgment requires the 500 houses to be distributed according to the national ethnic ratio, and legal advice indicates the Government cannot act contrary to it. She said a proposal for district-based distribution should therefore be considered through a Parliamentary Committee, while a separate intervention could be made regarding the 308 families if a distinct fairness issue exists. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLand & HousingJustice & Human Rights Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary Following a question by Hon. K. Kader Masthan, it was stated that the 500-house Norochcholai Tsunami Housing Project in Ampara, built with Saudi assistance after the 2004 tsunami, remains undistributed due to a 2009 Supreme Court judgment concerning the alienation of State land and beneficiary selection. The proposed current approach is to seek Supreme Court concurrence to allocate the houses according to the Ampara District’s 2012 Census ethnic ratios, while obtaining reports on their now-uninhabitable condition and continuing consultations with the Attorney-General’s Department and relevant officials. It was also noted that no donor commitment for rehabilitation or additional houses has been communicated to the District Secretary, that a request exists to consider 308 identified tsunami-affected families, and that a Parliamentary Committee may be appointed to identify a lawful distribution method. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Land & HousingEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human Rights Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya rejected claims that arrests linked to anti-corruption efforts were a cover or political theatre. She stated that any illegal acts would be investigated without hesitation, including wrongdoing within the anti-corruption process itself, and that offenders would be brought to justice. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary Corruption includes both illegal acts and unethical practices such as conflicts of interest, cronyism, and policies designed to create loopholes or benefit a few. Investigations into the matters raised are ongoing, with evidence-gathering and identification of perpetrators, and CIABOC retains authority to act where illegality is found. The Government is also seeking to end practices that may have been legal but unethical, particularly undisclosed conflicts of interest. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary Based on Ministry of Finance information, the reduction of the special commodity levy on sugar from Rs. 50 per kg to 25 cents per kg in October 2020 was made by Gazette on the then President’s instruction, approved by the Finance Minister, and later approved by Parliament under the Special Commodity Levy Act. The Ministry had not provided names or addresses of individuals or institutions, while the Committee on Public Finance, Auditor-General, Committee on Public Accounts, IGP and CID had taken steps relating to reports and investigations into the sugar duty reduction. The CID requested a forensic audit in January 2025, but the Auditor-General stated in March 2025 that an expanded audit could not proceed without access to required information and evidence. Information on the bond scam, white onion fraud and coconut oil import fraud had been requested from relevant institutions and would be provided later. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the public has rejected an old political culture and that its associated political traditions are weakening. She argued that stronger enforcement of the law is compelling politicians to change, and that such rejected practices are naturally disappearing from public life. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government is allowing the law to operate without interference in relation to corruption and misuse of authority. She said there is no intention to act vindictively against public officials, but officials who authorized improper transactions using their names and signatures will be subject to legal action. She framed continued enforcement as part of the public mandate to stop theft and corruption. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary In response to questions from Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, the Prime Minister stated that 86 persons were arrested over bribery allegations in 2024, while by 30 June 2025, 34 persons had been arrested over bribery allegations and 29 over corruption allegations. She said the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, had expanded CIABOC’s investigative and prosecutorial powers, including over new offences, related Penal Code and public property offences, and money laundering, while the Government does not interfere with CIABOC’s independent work. She outlined prevention measures including public education, Internal Affairs Units, awareness programmes for local authority members, and implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2025–2029, approved by Cabinet on 24 March 2025. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the judgment in question had been delivered only the previous day and that the Government needed time to study it before giving a detailed response. She suggested that any detailed question be directed to the Minister of Justice and assured the House that the Government would act in accordance with court orders. Oral Question: Drafting of a New Constitution (Q.225/2024) Justice & Human Rights Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government is proceeding in line with its policy document and that its plans will be developed transparently with public and expert input, with Parliament playing a significant role. She said there is no need to rush, noting that the Government has not yet completed its first year and has prioritised urgent public issues, while committing to implement the stated policy within its term. Oral Question: Drafting of a New Constitution (Q.225/2024) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government acknowledges the need for a new Constitution and has pledged to undertake constitutional reform within its current term, with initial work already commenced. She said the process would require study, expert consultation, public engagement, and input from parties inside and outside Parliament, while urgent legal reforms in other sectors are being advanced, including eight Acts already passed and further drafts underway. She added that recommendations from previous committees would be considered and that the aim is to produce a democratic, people-endorsed Constitution rather than make hurried amendments. Oral Question: Drafting of a New Constitution (Q.225/2024) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that Hon. Aruna Jayasekara was not a Deputy Minister at the time of the 2019 Easter attacks or during 2019–2022, when independent investigations could have been carried out. She said the current administration is now pursuing investigations, including statements made in Parliament and to the CID, and will present all facts to ensure justice for the victims. Oral Question: Easter Sunday Attack - Officers Accused (Q.115/2024) Justice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that investigations are ongoing and that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure justice for the victims. She added that while the Member’s refusal to accept the matter is his right and is respected, it will not affect the proceedings. Oral Question: Easter Sunday Attack - Officers Accused (Q.115/2024) Justice & Human Rights Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that one Commission of Inquiry has been appointed regarding the Easter Sunday attacks, and its report, chaired by Justice Janak de Silva, was tabled in Parliament on 25 February 2021 and is available on the Parliament website. She said the Attorney-General is studying the report, while CID investigations and related court cases are ongoing, so disclosing details of accused officers at this stage could prejudice proceedings. She added that the Government will take disciplinary and legal action, including against any current officeholders if implicated, once the Attorney-General’s recommendations and investigations are complete. Oral Question: Easter Sunday Attack - Officers Accused (Q.115/2024) Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister laid before Parliament the 2023 Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Board of Investment and moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations. She also tabled the 2023 Annual Reports of the National Building Research Organisation and the Disaster Management Centre, and the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Department, proposing their referral to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Public Administration, Justice and Civil Security. Both referrals were agreed to by Parliament. Tabling of Reports and Orders Parliamentary Procedure Read →
24 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya said the education reforms are part of a long national reform discourse and stressed that the priority is implementation, citing teacher misallocation, 20,755 student dropouts in 2024, and 80,591 irregular attendees. She outlined preparations for curriculum, teacher development, digital readiness, infrastructure, examinations, and public awareness, with Grades 1 and 6 to begin under the reforms in 2026 and a national assessment framework being developed. She rejected claims that a finalized White Paper was being withheld or that NIE modules were arbitrarily altered, stating that the Ministry, NIE, Department of Examinations, advisory bodies, provinces, and parliamentary committees would continue to work together with opportunities for further debate and consultation. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) Education Read →