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

20 May 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister addressed concerns regarding appointments from the 2020/2022 batch, noting that personal circumstances of appointees may have changed over the five-year period. She stated that while school staffing needs must be met, appointees should first accept their current postings and then seek transfers through an agreed process, including mutual transfers across regions. Appeals would be considered on a case-by-case basis after acceptance of postings. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial EducationEmployment Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister said teacher requirements are assessed by subject, vacancies, retirements and difficult-area needs, with National College of Education intakes aligned accordingly. She stated that appointments after the National Diploma in Teaching are based on final-year competitive results, and that trainees may be posted outside their district or province where vacancies are unavailable, as permitted by the relevant 2020 Gazette. She acknowledged concerns about recruitment, vacancy identification and postings, and said the Ministry is reviewing these procedures to identify necessary corrections. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial EducationEmployment Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education presented the 2021 Annual Report of the National Institute of Education and the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts of the Postgraduate Institute of English of the Open University of Sri Lanka. She moved that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, and the House agreed. Papers Presented and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that continuous auditing already exists for ministries, departments and statutory bodies through the National Audit Office and related committee processes, but audit findings often recur because corrective action is not taken properly or on time. She said the Government will strengthen the authority of Accountants and Chief Accountants through circulars, refer disciplinary and legal matters promptly, and improve implementation of audit recommendations through the Ministry of Finance. She also proposed amending Standing Orders to allow COPE and COPA to make binding decisions, strengthening surcharge processes for misuse of public funds or property, and treating such findings as impediments to appointments and promotions. Private Members' Motion (P.19/2024): Course of Action for Implementing Audit Recommendations Public FinanceParliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya questioned whether a multi-part query was appropriate under Standing Order 27(2), which is intended for urgent public importance matters, and requested a ruling from the Speaker. Subject to that ruling, she stated that UGC institutions plan to admit 43,237 students for the 2024/2025 academic year, with the average annual cost per student estimated at Rs. 405,313 in 2022. She outlined alternative higher education pathways, noted the absence of comprehensive data on students going overseas, and said the UGC has been asked to develop a policy framework for regulating and recognizing the non-State higher education sector. She also provided figures on foreign students and said the Interest-Free Student Loan Scheme has benefited over 22,000 students, with loan limits increased by a September 2024 Cabinet decision. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance EducationParliamentary Procedure Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that an investigation is underway into the incident and that a proper mechanism with appropriate skills and resources is being established. She said the Ministry had already initiated action before the demonstration, including transferring the teacher and seeking explanations from the principal on reporting failures and related decisions. She urged that conclusions not be drawn from social media accounts, and emphasized protecting the child’s best interests, supporting the family and affected school community, and avoiding politicization of the tragedy. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance EducationJustice & Human Rights Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister addressed the suicide of a 13-year-old child, calling it a collective social failure and urging that the matter not be politicized. She said the school principal had been asked to explain inadequate initial reporting and identify the teacher involved, while discussions had begun with the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, the NCPA, the Police, and the Education Ministry. She proposed an immediate notification and coordinated response mechanism covering education measures, police investigations, NCPA oversight, and psychosocial support, and said Parliament would be informed once it is established. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Women & ChildrenJustice & Human Rights Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister presented several reports to Parliament and moved that they be referred to the relevant committees, including reports relating to the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Services Command and Staff College, financial and development institutions, and higher education institutes. Parliament agreed to refer these reports to the Committee on Public Accounts and the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committees. She also tabled an order under the Universities Act appointing Senior Professor R.M.U.S.K. Rathnayaka as Competent Authority in lieu of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna, effective 25 February 2025. Opening and Announcements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister presented several official reports to Parliament, including the 2022 Annual Report of the National Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, the 2023 Integrated Annual Report of the National Savings Bank, Central Bank reports relating to 2024 inflation deviations and the Annual Economic Review, and a report under Standing Order 119(4) concerning matters raised by the Committee on Public Accounts. She moved that these documents be referred to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committees, the Committee on Public Finance, and the Committee on Public Accounts, and the motions were agreed to. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government intends to introduce a new Constitution, but will first prioritize holding long-delayed Provincial Council Elections, particularly to restore representation in the North and East. She explained that no Budget allocation has been made for the constitutional process this year because it will begin only after those elections. She also objected to the language used by another Member and requested the Chair to address unparliamentary remarks and maintain civility in parliamentary proceedings. Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution Parliamentary ProcedurePublic FinanceEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Six months into office, the Government says it cannot be held responsible for 16 years of previous inaction but is working to strengthen State institutions to investigate past injustices and prevent recurrence. It argues that distrust of bodies such as the Office on Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations reflects earlier institutional failures, and says it is appointing suitable personnel, providing resources, and considering expanded mandates or new mechanisms if needed. The Minister also states that legislation passed the previous day forms part of this process and invites Members to identify specific cases for follow-up. Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya said the Government would investigate specific complaints and emblematic cases, including the Easter Sunday attacks and attacks on media personnel, while noting the difficulty of evidence gathering 16 years after the war. She stated that mechanisms such as the Office on Missing Persons would be strengthened to address enforced disappearances, and requested details on any persons allegedly held for political beliefs so their cases could be reviewed. She reiterated the Government’s commitment to repeal the PTA, said a Cabinet-approved committee would prepare a White Paper on repeal and replacement national security legislation, and noted ongoing identification of military-held land for release without altering ethnic composition. She also said the Government’s initial focus was economic stabilization and elections, with a consultative process for a new Constitution to begin after pending elections, including Provincial Council Elections, are addressed. Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister said Principal appointments are now being made through a uniform, interview-based procedure for qualified applicants, including the appointment at Bandaranaike College, to correct irregular acting appointments made under previous governments. On Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, she said an expert committee has been appointed to examine complaints, particularly regarding the expansion of faculties and programmes without adequate staffing or infrastructure and concerns about programmes outside the institution’s core mandate. The committee is due to report by 2 June, after which decisions will be taken. She also outlined existing Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani degree provision across four universities and said steps are being taken to regularize and reduce delays in internships and appointments for indigenous medical graduates. Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution EducationHealthcare Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary A Resolution under Schedule “A” of the Customs Ordinance relating to Import Duties, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2421/05 of 27 January 2025, was presented and referred to the Committee on Public Finance. An order made under Section 10A of the Customs Ordinance concerning preferential and general duties on imported goods, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2421/43 of 31 January 2025, was also tabled. Papers Presented: Customs Resolution, Ministry Reports, Annual Reports Public Finance Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Ministry of Education currently has no policy to regulate tuition. She clarified this in response to a supplementary question. Oral Question: Private Tuition Regulation and Child Safety Education Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government has received requests from religious leaders and is consulting all relevant stakeholders. She said appropriate action would be taken in due course. Oral Question: Private Tuition Regulation and Child Safety Religion & Culture Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Existing laws already cover child abuse or harassment in any setting, including extra classes, classrooms, roads, and homes. Upon receiving information or a complaint, the police can investigate and take relevant legal action. Oral Question: Private Tuition Regulation and Child Safety Women & ChildrenJustice & Human Rights Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister responded to a question on regulation of private tuition, stating that the Commissioner General of Examinations prohibits tuition classes for five days before the GCE O/L and A/L examinations. She said the Ministry of Education does not register or currently intervene in private tuition classes, though complaints have been received, and cited Circular No. 2006/45 prohibiting public school teachers from engaging in paid private teaching during or outside official hours. She also noted the 80 per cent attendance requirement for A/L students and said proposed education reforms would place greater emphasis on practical learning and self-study. Oral Question: Private Tuition Regulation and Child Safety Education Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya moved an amendment at the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2025, specifically relating to Programmes 01 and 02 under Head 243. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya moved an amendment to Programme 01 of Head 241 during the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2025. No further details on the content or purpose of the amendment were provided in the excerpt. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →