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

18 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya presented the 2022 Annual Report of the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka to Parliament. She moved that the report be referred to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and the motion was agreed to. Tabling of Annual Reports and Ministerial Consultative Committee Referrals Parliamentary ProcedureEducation Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister supported Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s Motion, stating that reform of parliamentary privileges, including pensions, is necessary to rebuild public trust in Parliament and change a political culture associated with entitlement and abuse of power. She said Sri Lanka could aspire in future to models such as Singapore, but only after demonstrating public service and correcting past wrongs, noting that her movement had advocated such reforms since 2001 and 2003. She also addressed the Lasantha Wickrematunge murder investigation, saying the Government had reopened the case, would support further evidence-gathering and reinvestigation, and was committed to pursuing justice despite past witness intimidation and destruction of evidence. Private Members' Motion 5: Abolishing the Pension Scheme of Members of Parliament Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister said the Government is determined to secure justice for Ms. Ahimsa Wickrematunge’s family and is monitoring expected action by the Attorney-General, including the possibility of fresh indictments. She said procedural barriers and institutional culture within the Attorney-General’s Department and related bodies must be re-examined where they obstruct justice, while ensuring the Department is not politically captured. She also stated the Government is ready to allocate a full-day parliamentary debate on the matter, given its wider significance for public confidence in justice and fairness. Ministerial Statements on Justice Department, Foreign Employment, and Hydrated Lime Importation Justice & Human Rights Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister said she had received Ms. Wickrematunge’s letter and would respond personally. She reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to securing justice for the murder of Lasantha Wickrematunge while respecting due process and the independence of the Attorney-General’s Department. She stated that discussions had been held, including by the President with investigators, and that the Government would consider new inquiries, gather further evidence if needed, and file a new case if necessary. Ministerial Statements on Justice Department, Foreign Employment, and Hydrated Lime Importation Justice & Human Rights Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary There is no National School in the Colombo North Education Division, and no current action or identified school for establishing one there. The Government has not taken a policy decision to create additional National Schools, instead focusing on developing existing National and Provincial Schools by reducing disparities and improving the use of physical and human resources. Oral Question: National Schools in Colombo North Education Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education stated that the relevant Deputy Minister would respond to the question raised. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya asked the Member to submit the matters as questions through the proper parliamentary procedure. She stated that a detailed answer would be provided once submitted accordingly. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 February 2025 AI summary Open University students are eligible to sit the Law College final examination because it is a State university, and this is consistent with the treatment of law students from other State universities. The General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University is described as a State-related institution outside the UGC Act, with any change requiring policy consideration after quality review. On establishing new faculties or programmes at Eastern University, approval must originate from the university and pass through its Senate, Council, UGC, and Ministry processes, rather than being decided solely by the Minister. Oral Question: Bachelor of Laws Degree Awards (Q.1/2024) Education Read →
6 February 2025 AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Law College is an independent institution outside the Ministry of Education and that no related request has been received by the Ministry. She said non-state higher education institutions have operated without an overarching national policy or clear regulatory framework, although a quality assurance committee under the Non-State Higher Education Division conducts institutional reviews before degree awards. She has instructed the committee to consult State universities, review its past work, and submit proposals for a national policy and regulatory process with clear quality standards. Oral Question: Bachelor of Laws Degree Awards (Q.1/2024) Education Read →
6 February 2025 AI summary In response to a question on legal education, the Prime Minister stated that four State universities currently award the LLB degree: Colombo, Peradeniya, Jaffna, and the Open University of Sri Lanka. She provided year-wise graduate numbers for 2020 to 2023 and said a proposal to establish a Legal Studies Department/Unit at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura is under UGC and Quality Assurance Council review. Oral Question: Bachelor of Laws Degree Awards (Q.1/2024) Education Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Moved that Parliament adjourn. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Harini Amarasuriya moved for approval of regulations made by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2416/11 of 24 December 2024 and presented to Parliament on 21 January 2025. She noted that Cabinet approval had been granted, and the motion was agreed to. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya moved for approval of regulations issued by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act. The regulations, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2415/35 of 18 December 2024 and presented to Parliament on 21 January 2025, had received Cabinet approval and were agreed to by the House. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Several measures have been taken to address the matter, and the situation is currently being managed. However, Dr. Amarasuriya emphasized that it remains changeable and requires close monitoring, noting that the issue is receiving significant attention. Oral Question: Export Growth and Economic Competitiveness (Q.292/2024) Healthcare Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the issue of congestion has been substantially addressed through steps taken by the relevant Minister, with further measures being pursued. She said the situation is being closely monitored due to its significant economic impact and expressed confidence that the Minister is managing it effectively. Oral Question: Export Growth and Economic Competitiveness (Q.292/2024) Infrastructure Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the question raised required accurate data and technical preparation before a response could be given. She requested two weeks to obtain the necessary information and undertook to provide a definite response thereafter. Oral Question: Export Growth and Economic Competitiveness (Q.292/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that she would provide a response in two weeks and concluded her remarks with thanks. Oral Question: Export Growth and Economic Competitiveness (Q.292/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary A request was made for additional time to answer a parliamentary question due to the need to collect data from multiple Ministries. The response indicated that not all required information had been received and that a full answer would be provided once the data is available. Oral Question: Export Growth and Economic Competitiveness (Q.292/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya thanked the Member for raising the matter and requested that the related information be provided for investigation. She said the Government would look into whether a similar irregularity had occurred under the previous administration, referring to past issues such as the sugar and garlic scams. Oral Question: Coconut Oil Import Policy (Q.291/2024) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya responded to questions on coconut oil imports, stating that refined and unrefined coconut oil are subject to the Special Commodity Levy under Act No. 48 of 2007, at Rs. 150 and Rs. 125 per kilogram respectively, with no other import duties applied. She said no relevant Gazette dated 1 January 2024 could be identified without a Gazette number and requested that it be provided for a precise reply. She further explained that refining imported unrefined coconut oil is treated as manufacturing, making local sales subject to VAT and SSCL, with Customs collecting the SCL at import and Inland Revenue administering VAT and SSCL. Oral Question: Coconut Oil Import Policy (Q.291/2024) Public Finance Read →