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

27 February 2025 AI summary Following a court decision, the relevant authorities set the required cut-off marks and expect the remaining related processes to conclude shortly. The matter was described as having been resolved quickly. Oral Question: Grade 5 Scholarship Exam 2024 - Leak of Questions (Q.105/2024) Education Read →
27 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya clarified that only a group of parents sought a re-examination of the Grade 5 Scholarship examination, while others opposed it, and noted that Tamil-medium candidates would also have been affected despite no issue in the Tamil paper. She said an Expert Committee, including child psychologists, was appointed to assess the matter from examination and child mental health perspectives, and that its recommendation was followed to minimize stress and avoid prejudice to results. She stated that she did not directly intervene in the Department of Examinations’ operational work in order to preserve its independence, and explained that delays in releasing cut-off marks were due to court proceedings and an interim order suspending marking. Oral Question: Grade 5 Scholarship Exam 2024 - Leak of Questions (Q.105/2024) Justice & Human RightsEducationParliamentary Procedure Read →
27 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya provided details on the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, stating that 323,901 students applied and 319,284 sat the exam, and that investigations found three conceptually similar questions had been shared in a private tuition WhatsApp group before the examination. She outlined the Supreme Court’s ruling on related Fundamental Rights applications, including orders to implement a remedial measure and pay State costs, and described departmental and disciplinary actions against officials and teachers involved. She also listed planned preventive measures, including stronger security in confidential branches, CCTV upgrades, reduced human intervention in paper preparation, tighter supervision, and restrictions on mobile phone use at examination centres. Oral Question: Grade 5 Scholarship Exam 2024 - Leak of Questions (Q.105/2024) EducationJustice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
27 February 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister presented two excise-related instruments issued by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development: a notification on liquor excise duty under the Excise Ordinance and an order on excise duty under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act. She moved that these be referred to the Committee on Public Finance, which the House agreed to, and also tabled the List of Proposed Alterations in the Legends of Draft Estimates 2025. Papers: Ministerial Notifications and Reports (Excise Ordinance, Foundation and Corporate Reports, Public Finance Committee Report) Public Finance Read →
25 February 2025 AI summary A Bill was scheduled to be considered by a Committee of the whole Parliament on Thursday, 27 February 2025, under Standing Order No. 57. The entry records a procedural decision rather than a substantive speech or policy argument. Second Reading: Disposal of Waste (Prohibition) Bill 2025 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
25 February 2025 AI summary Moved, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, that the Disposal Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole Parliament. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Second Reading: Disposal of Waste (Prohibition) Bill 2025 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
25 February 2025 AI summary The Member stated that issues relating to the Ministry of Energy could be discussed in detail during the forthcoming Committee Stage when the Ministry’s Vote is taken. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Day 1-7) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
25 February 2025 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya defended the Government’s inaugural Budget as a value-based shift toward “Economic Democracy,” emphasizing social strengthening, equality, citizen participation, State regulation, and public investment rather than what she described as past cronyism and politicized economic management. She highlighted increased allocations for health and education, child protection reforms, support for women’s economic participation, special needs education, the removal of VAT on packaging inputs for locally produced medicines, and a Rs. 300 million “Sri Lankan Day” initiative for national unity. Responding to Opposition claims, she said the Budget implements the Government’s manifesto, denied that promises had been broken, and stated that salary increases would raise principals and teachers to among the higher-paid public service grades while restoring dignity to the public sector. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Day 1-7) Women & ChildrenEducationPublic Finance Read →
25 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya presented two sets of regulations made under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, published in Extraordinary Gazette Nos. 2421/04 and 2421/44 in January 2025. She proposed that the regulations be referred to the Committee on Public Finance, and the House agreed. Papers Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
24 February 2025 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government is treating the matter seriously and will not allow it to become a national security threat. She said necessary measures have already been taken and are continuing under the President’s leadership, with relevant Ministers involved, and indicated that the Media Minister would provide clarification on related issues circulating in the media. Procedural: Committee on High Posts and Security Concerns Security & Defence Read →
24 February 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister tabled a response outlining Government initiatives to advance Sri Lanka’s digital economy, emphasizing digitized public services, automated administrative processes, transparency, and cashless transactions. The response identified priority projects including the Sri Lanka Unified Digital Identity linked to the E-NIC and other official systems, online access to civil registration certificates through overseas missions, online applications to the President’s Fund, and the expansion of GovPay and LankaQR-based payments. It stated that these measures are intended to reduce bureaucracy, improve service delivery and accountability, expand financial inclusion, and support more efficient implementation of Government policy. Ministerial Statement: Prime Minister Response on Colombo Port and Digital Economy Public FinanceInfrastructureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
24 February 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that a short-, medium- and long-term plan had been presented to address the issue under discussion, including increasing staff and other measures. She added that the Minister for Ports had been requested to provide further details. Ministerial Statement: Prime Minister Response on Colombo Port and Digital Economy Infrastructure Read →
24 February 2025 AI summary Requested that the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning provide further details to the House. The relevant material was placed in the Library. Ministerial Statement: Prime Minister Response on Colombo Port and Digital Economy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
24 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the supplementary question raised by the Member would be answered by the Minister in charge of Finance. She indicated that the two related matters could be clarified after that response. Ministerial Statement: Prime Minister Response on Colombo Port and Digital Economy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
24 February 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister replied to a deferred question, stating that Central Bank monetary easing since June 2023 had reduced policy rates and market interest rates, supported increased private sector credit in 2024, and that any further rate reductions would depend on inflation and growth conditions while affecting depositors. She said the Government was pursuing foreign exchange generation beyond exports, addressing exporter concerns through Budget 2025, and implementing short-, medium- and long-term measures to improve Colombo Port cargo clearance, including 24/7 examination yards, additional holding capacity, Customs risk-management automation, AI-supported scanning and new scanners. She also outlined digital payment and ease-of-doing-business initiatives, citing expanded payments through the National Payment Platform, the launch of GovPay on 7 February 2025, and investment facilitation through the BOI Investor Facilitation Centre and related coordination mechanisms. Ministerial Statement: Prime Minister Response on Colombo Port and Digital Economy Public FinanceInfrastructureEmployment Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister presented the 2023 Annual Report of the University of Peradeniya and moved that it be referred to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education. She also presented regulations under the Insurance Industry Act, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2415/79 of 22 December 2024, and moved that they be referred to the Committee on Public Finance; both motions were agreed to. Opening: Parliament Convenes and Papers Tabled Public FinanceParliamentary ProcedureEducation Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister presented the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption’s performance reports for the first three quarters of 2024 and moved that they be referred to the Committee on Parliamentary Business, which was agreed to. She also presented an amendment instrument to the Sri Lanka-India double taxation avoidance agreement under Section 75(1) of the Local Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, and moved that it be referred to the Committee on Public Finance, which was also agreed to. Papers Presented Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
18 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that teacher transfers are carried out by the Teachers’ Transfer Board, with union representation but not union control. She said current issues in transfers are not solely due to unions but also reflect political interference, and noted that union leaders had told her this year’s transfer appointments were handled properly and independently because she did not intervene. She emphasized that her role is to ensure the Transfer Board functions independently. Oral Question No. 4 (247/2024): Teacher Attachments and Transfers EducationCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
18 February 2025 AI summary Teacher vacancies in National Schools could not be filled for some time due to a pending court case, and Provincial-to-National School attachments were used as an interim measure. The issue has now been resolved, and the Government plans to fill most subject-specific shortages this year, including by appointing graduates passing out from colleges of education. Oral Question No. 4 (247/2024): Teacher Attachments and Transfers EmploymentEducation Read →
18 February 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister, as Minister of Education, confirmed that temporary teacher attachments are used between National and Provincial Schools to address staffing shortages. She stated that a 14 July 2023 circular directed Zonal Directors to make such attachments based on Subject Directors’ recommendations, including moving excess teachers to schools with subject shortages, and said the remaining parts of the question were not applicable. Oral Question No. 4 (247/2024): Teacher Attachments and Transfers Education Read →