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 May 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that recent expansion of university intakes, programmes, and faculties had not been matched by adequate planning for facilities and staffing. She said the Government’s current priority is improving quality within existing structures, better managing human resources, and ensuring staffing for both teaching and research. She noted that a committee is assessing these needs, a cadre review will be undertaken, and universities have been permitted to fill academic and non-academic vacancies, including over 3,000 academic posts approved last year. Oral Question: GCE Advanced Level Examination Results and Higher Education Reforms Public FinanceEducationEmployment Read →
6 May 2026 AI summary A committee has been appointed to develop a policy and framework for higher education reforms and has been working for about six months. The Prime Minister noted that the review covers universities, Higher National Diploma programmes, and vocational sector needs, and is identifying current issues and changes needed to align with school education reforms. Further changes are to be made following the committee’s report, recommendations, and consultations. Oral Question: GCE Advanced Level Examination Results and Higher Education Reforms Education Read →
6 May 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister, responding to Hon. Manjula Sugath Rathnayaka, provided 2026 A/L candidate and university-qualification figures by stream, stating that 281,810 candidates sat and 176,538 qualified for university admission, with 42,937 expected admissions. She said intake to first degree programmes would remain broadly at recent levels while prioritising improvements to facilities and programme quality. She also announced two new 2025/2026 programmes—Geographic Information Systems at the University of Ruhuna and Electronic and Intelligent Systems Engineering at the University of Peradeniya, each with 50 places—and said courses are expected to begin from the first week of September 2026 after Z-scores and registration lists are issued. Oral Question: GCE Advanced Level Examination Results and Higher Education Reforms Education Read →
6 May 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister presented the 2024 Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education and moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, which was agreed to. A presidential proclamation under the Essential Public Services Act and a note on supplementary allocations under the 2025 Appropriation Act were also ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Presented: Annual Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that education reforms are proceeding under a National Operations Committee that includes union representatives, with no internal process issues anticipated. She said Grade 6 implementation is planned for January, awareness programmes for teachers, parents, and students will be held by July–August, and World Bank assistance has been received to support the reforms. Oral Questions Q.7-Q.9: Education Statistics, Aquaculture, CEB and SriLankan Airlines Education Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary Reforms for Grades 2 and 6 are being prepared for implementation in 2027, while the Grade 1 reforms introduced in 2026 are reported to be progressing well. Module activity books are being printed, Grade 6 content has been finalized by subject committees, and printing is scheduled to begin this month. Teacher training for Grade 6 is planned to start in June, with funding already allocated. Oral Questions Q.7-Q.9: Education Statistics, Aquaculture, CEB and SriLankan Airlines Education Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary In response to a question on education examination participation, figures were provided for GCE O/L candidates from 2022 to 2024, ranging from 317,326 to 322,704 students. It was stated that 221,413 students from the 2022 O/L cohort sat the GCE A/L in 2025, while the 2023 and 2024 cohorts had not yet reached the corresponding A/L examinations. The response also gave comparative percentages of students admitted to Grade 1 who later sat the examinations, including 65.29% for the 2025 A/L cohort and O/L rates of 93.57% in 2022, 92.08% in 2023, and 95.15% in 2024. Oral Questions Q.7-Q.9: Education Statistics, Aquaculture, CEB and SriLankan Airlines Education Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the three official residences attached to the relevant offices are not being used for private residence but are maintained for official state functions, meetings, and events. She cited recent and routine uses of the President’s House, Araliyagaha Mandiraya, and the Speaker’s Residence, and noted that maintenance is necessary due to the size of the premises, with staffing currently below the approved cadre. Oral Question Q.6: Speaker's Personal Staff, Vehicles and Official Residence Public Finance Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya provided details on the Speaker’s official facilities, stating that he uses a petrol Mitsubishi car and a diesel BMW car, for which Parliament pays only the fuel allowance. She said the official residence at No. 8-1, Lauries Lane, Colombo 04 was allocated to him from 8 January 2025 while he holds office, with 12.5% of his monthly allowance deducted as rent and utility bills paid by the occupant. Oral Question Q.6: Speaker's Personal Staff, Vehicles and Official Residence Public Finance Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya provided answers regarding the current Speaker’s personal staff, official residence, fuel allowance and vehicles. She stated that the Speaker’s personal staff has 12 employees against an approved cadre of 20, the Speaker’s Residence has not been used for personal accommodation since 17 December 2024, and the residence has eight employees against an approved cadre of 15. She further said the present Speaker has limited his fuel allowance to 900 litres per month, equivalent to a Minister’s allowance, and that there were seven vehicles as at 31 March 2026, with further details to be provided. Oral Question Q.6: Speaker's Personal Staff, Vehicles and Official Residence Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act published in three Gazette Extraordinary notices in March and April 2026, along with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s Annual Economic Review for 2025, were presented and referred to the Committee on Public Finance. A report on observations and steps taken under Standing Order 119(4) regarding Delimitation Commission matters raised by the Committee on Public Accounts was also presented and referred to that Committee. Papers: Reports and Regulations Tabled Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 April 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that the Government was elected with a mandate to eradicate corruption and argued that credible investigations should be led by the Government side. She said the Opposition had been invited and given time to present evidence for its allegations but had not done so, and urged the public to judge based on facts rather than political claims. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
10 April 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that members of her political movement, whether in Government or Opposition, are bound by the same political culture and discipline. She emphasized that allegations of corruption involving any member, including Hon. Sunil Handunnetti or Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera, would be investigated without distinction. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
10 April 2026 AI summary Prime Minister Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya rejected an implied claim that someone was unable or prohibited from doing something, stating that no such restriction exists. She contrasted the opposition’s stated experience or political culture with that of her own side. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 April 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister said concerns about the independence of the COPE Chairman should be raised separately. She expressed confidence that Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera, as Chairman of COPE, would conduct an impartial inquiry. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 April 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister argued that the Opposition’s allegations over coal procurement are aimed at portraying the Government as corrupt rather than addressing systemic weaknesses. She acknowledged flaws in procurement and state institutions and said COPE and National Audit Office inquiries are important for identifying and correcting them. She challenged the Opposition to provide evidence of intentional corruption by the Minister, Cabinet or President, stating that the Government would act if such wrongdoing were proven. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
8 April 2026 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya defended the Government’s relief measures, stating that social protection is a core responsibility while maintaining policy stability and fiscal discipline. She said Rs. 50 billion had been allocated for the Ditsa natural disaster and that additional measures announced in response to the war were targeted at affected sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, transport and electricity costs, without printing money, increasing unsustainable debt, selling assets, or altering foreign policy. She argued that the Government was continuing development and public services while monitoring conditions, taking expert advice, and adjusting measures such as fuel-use controls and public holidays according to changing needs. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceCost of Living Read →
8 April 2026 AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya intervened to clarify that the Committee on National Colleges of Education includes an academic representative from the South Eastern University. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Parliamentary ProcedureEducation Read →
8 April 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister tabled a detailed response on academic staff vacancies in universities and higher education institutions, reporting 3,027 vacancies in UGC universities and smaller numbers across other institutions. She stated that approvals have been obtained or sought through the Department of Management Services, Cabinet, and relevant committees, with 1,458 UGC vacancies approved for filling and 445 recruitments completed by 26 February 2026. The response also outlined institution-specific recruitment progress, including Buddhist and Pali University, Bhiksu University, the University of Vocational Technology, Ocean University, and Kotelawala Defence University. Regarding the University of Ruhuna Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, she said delays were due to severe academic and non-academic staff shortages, but temporary and permanent recruitment approvals have been granted and academic activities for the 2023/2024 intake began on 5 January 2026. Oral Questions: Second Round (Q.3, Q.4, Q.5/1563-1655/2025) Education Read →
8 April 2026 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya presented two reports detailing observations and actions taken under Standing Orders 120(4) and 119(4) concerning matters raised by the Committee on Public Enterprises regarding the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and by the Committee on Public Accounts regarding the Parliament of Sri Lanka. She moved that the reports be referred respectively to COPE and COPA, and both motions were agreed to. Tabling of Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →