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

9 July 2025 AI summary Vocational education is being expanded as part of the 2025 education reforms, including a new Grades 10–11 “skills stream,” an increase of Advanced Level vocational-stream schools from 609 to 1,000, and a four-year pathway linked to NVQ Level 4 courses after school. The Prime Minister outlined teacher recruitment and training plans, curriculum modularization, annual capacity development with industry collaboration, and a TVET strategic plan to be completed by September 2025 with ADB support. She also referred to UniVOTEC-led trainer programmes, proposed Korean support for a TVET Teacher Training and Applied Research Institute, and several five-year project proposals submitted to the Department of National Planning, including infrastructure upgrades, online assessment, NAITA Centres of Excellence, and completion of the Kilinochchi hostel. Oral Question: Digital Transformation and Education Reforms EmploymentEducation Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary Training for in-service teachers has begun under the National Continuous Professional Development Programme. The Prime Minister stated that teacher training programmes will be reviewed and relevant modules introduced into faculties of education and B.Ed. programmes, while a special programme has been initiated to provide faculties of education with the necessary technology to support the transformation. Oral Question: Digital Transformation and Education Reforms Education Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that a 30-member multi-stakeholder Task Force has been established, with Cabinet approval granted on 02.06.2025, to guide the digital transformation of education over three years. She said its objectives include addressing teacher shortages through digital tools, updating curricula, ensuring learning continuity during emergencies, improving digital literacy and online safety, strengthening ICT infrastructure, and creating a sustainable innovation framework. She also outlined ongoing measures such as providing smart boards and ICT equipment to schools, developing a National EMIS, expanding school internet connectivity by end-2026, introducing an unlimited data package, and training teachers under digital competency programmes. Oral Question: Digital Transformation and Education Reforms Education Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister presented annual and performance reports from the Judicial Service Commission Secretariat, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, and three finance-related departments. She moved that the reports be referred to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committees on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection, and on Economic Development and International Relations, and the motions were agreed to. Papers: Annual Performance Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister presented several statutory financial and performance documents, including the 2024 Budget Position Report, inflation deviation reports for late 2024 and early 2025, and the 2026 Fiscal Strategy Statement under the Public Financial Management Act. She moved that these be referred to the Committee on Public Finance, and separately referred the 2024 annual performance reports of the Prime Minister’s Office, Department of Treasury Operations, and Comptroller General’s Office to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committees. A note on supplementary allocations from the Development Activities Programme for May 2025 under the Appropriation Act was also tabled. Papers: Presentation and Tabling of Reports and Annual Reports Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
6 June 2025 AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that information on Ananda Wijepala’s service had previously been disclosed in Parliament and was not new or secret. She clarified that she had not alleged illegality and had only presented records currently held at the Prime Minister’s Office relating to the period of former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. She said those files contain no reference to a vehicle or a Director General post, while noting that some records may have been moved after Wickremesinghe became President. Oral Questions: Second Round Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
6 June 2025 AI summary The response provided details on the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Committee and its Secretariat in 2015 through Cabinet memoranda and decisions, noting that implementation was entrusted to the Secretary to the Prime Minister though they were not explicitly established under the Prime Minister’s Office. It listed the 14 appointed members, reported that 475 complaints and 667 complaints on administrative irregularities had been received, and stated that records at the Prime Minister’s Office do not contain information on cases filed. It further clarified that available records show no post or holder of “Director General” in the Committee or Secretariat, and that relevant annexures were tabled in the Library. Oral Questions: Second Round Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
6 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya urged Members to maintain decorum during a sitting set aside for condolence references, noting that family members of four late Members and schoolchildren were present in the gallery. She requested that Members avoid political performances or disruptions during the allotted condolence time and said substantive national questions could be addressed on another occasion. Procedural and Oral Question: Airport and Aviation Services and Standing Orders Clarification Parliamentary Procedure Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that there is no immediate plan to abolish the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, but said education reforms are intended to reduce its pressure and enable its gradual abolition, possibly by 2028 or 2029. She said action regarding Development Officers is subject to a pending court case, with Cabinet approval already obtained for the relevant policy decision. She also said the Government aims to upgrade teacher training colleges to university status and ensure teachers obtain degrees, but this will be done progressively while strengthening existing B.Ed. programmes and building necessary resources. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Education Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya said the education system is facing serious social well-being and mental health challenges, particularly among students affected by the Easter Sunday attacks, COVID-19 and the economic crisis. She stated that she and the State Minister would meet the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists to discuss comprehensive measures, stressing that low-quality counselling in schools could be harmful. She also highlighted the need for broader system reforms, including strengthening teachers’ skills and addressing the lack of change in teacher training colleges over 16 years. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms HealthcareEducation Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that a Task Force has been appointed to address ragging as part of a wider issue of violence in universities, noting that it can begin before students enter university and continue beyond the first year. She said the Task Force, which includes police, university authorities and student representatives, will examine gaps in implementing existing law, propose amendments if necessary, and define services for new students. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy EducationJustice & Human Rights Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Necessary circulars have been issued to implement a victim-centred support system. The system is intended to provide counselling and other psycho-social services to victims. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Justice & Human Rights Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary No prosecutions have been instituted by the 17 universities under Act No. 20 of 1998 on ragging during the past five years, while research on the issue has been conducted by the UGC Centre for Gender Equity/Equality and through academic theses. Measures underway include strengthening UGC circulars and complaint mechanisms, creating a 24/7 hotline, linking university anti-ragging task forces, and issuing a victim-centred support system circular in February 2025. Further proposed actions include offender rehabilitation, training disciplinary authorities, introducing a “Living with Diversity” module, and reforming student union governance to promote inclusivity, gender equality, and democratic representation. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Women & ChildrenEducation Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government’s education transformation programme has been developed over several years through research, surveys, consultations and public input, rejecting the view that it is a hastily copied plan. She said the programme goes beyond curriculum reform to include physical and human resource requirements, policy and legal changes, and continuous evaluation, and framed it as a Government priority for national recovery. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Education Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that previous education initiatives, including subject changes and projects such as “Nearest School is the Best School,” did not amount to comprehensive reforms. She said no special study had been conducted on the success or failure of past reforms, but monitoring and evaluation would be built into the proposed reforms starting in 2026. The National Education Commission would be tasked with reviewing implementation and feeding study findings back into the reform process. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Education Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government is pursuing reforms in both higher and general education, with an expert committee appointed to recommend changes in higher education. She said school curricula are being reviewed to meet domestic and global economic and social needs while reducing pressure on teachers and students, with legal measures and a phased rollout planned from 2026 starting with Grades 1 and 6. She added that the reforms are aligned with national education goals and the Sustainable Development Goals, and that no significant obstacles have been identified to expediting the process. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Education Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya clarified that the Kotelawala Defence University does not admit students through the Z-score system but uses its own admissions procedure. She stated that the Act is under review to ensure the institution operates lawfully, protects equal educational opportunities, and does not place an undue burden on the Ministry of Defence. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Education Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary The Minister distinguishes between commercializing education for foreign revenue and the Government’s policy of expanding equitable, quality higher education based on student capability rather than financial capacity. She states that the current KDU Act does not allow admission of civilian students and that legislative amendments would be required. Referring to KDU’s original purpose as a military cadet training institution, she proposes developing it into an international-level military defence university through lawful amendments and investment, while ensuring it is equitable and not a burden on the Ministry of Defence. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Education Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister answered that 135 specialist medical officers and 937 nursing officers are abroad on approved overseas leave, mainly to countries including the United Kingdom and Australia. She stated that some hospitals face shortages in paediatrics, anaesthesiology and neurology, but services are being maintained through human resource management and acting appointments for returning trained medical officers. She also clarified that public sector salary increases are governed by Public Administration Circular 10/2025, KDU medical admissions generally follow its own procedure rather than the UGC Z-score system, and no separate foreign exchange mechanism has been identified beyond requirements under Circular 14/2022 for officers abroad to deposit funds into non-resident foreign currency accounts. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy HealthcareEmploymentEducation Read →
3 June 2025 AI summary Clearance from the Department of Management Services has been sought for new recruitments, with discussions ongoing. On the proposal to make the Kilinochchi institute autonomous, the Minister said the Government is considering whether such institutes should operate independently or remain affiliated to CGTTI, noting both operational and recognition-related implications. She stated no timeline can be given, as autonomy would require an amendment to the Act, and the Attorney-General’s opinion and Cabinet approval will be sought before a decision is made. Private Notice Question: Sri Lanka-German Technical Training Institute Autonomous Status Education Read →