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

21 January 2025 AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya asked the Deputy Chairperson of Committees to allow her to continue speaking, stating that the interruption was not a Point of Order. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 January 2025 AI summary Harini Amarasuriya responded to criticism during the debate, stating that the Government had repeatedly explained the Clean Sri Lanka project and that she had already addressed it as Prime Minister. She said it was her duty to answer what she described as baseless allegations and rejected attempts to instruct her on how to participate in debate. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya criticized opposition members for using parliamentary time for publicity, including short clips or social media attention, rather than substantive debate. She said that if members wished to speak or criticize, time could be arranged through television or other media, and urged them not to undermine the dignity and quality expected of Parliament. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 January 2025 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya defended the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka programme as a participatory initiative aimed at ethical, environmental and social responsibility, arguing that national transformation requires public consent, dialogue and voluntary involvement rather than top-down action. She said citizens, philanthropists and businesspeople had already contributed voluntarily, and contrasted this with what she described as the previous political culture’s misuse of public and private actors for personal gain. She also criticised the Opposition for lacking substance and consistency, and said the Government was changing political culture by enabling independent public officials, strengthening the rule of law, and ending political interference in areas such as teacher appointments. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
21 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya presented foreign exchange and import/export control instruments issued under the Foreign Exchange Act and Imports and Exports (Control) Act, and moved that they be referred to the Committee on Public Finance. She also presented a report responding to matters raised by the Committee on Public Accounts regarding the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and its institutions, moving its referral to that Committee. In addition, she tabled multiple Orders under the Universities Act relating to degree-awarding approvals for specified private and professional higher education institutions, which were ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Presented Public FinanceEducationParliamentary Procedure Read →
10 January 2025 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya presented the Report on the Deviation of Headline Inflation from the inflation target under the Monetary Policy Framework Agreement. She moved that the report be referred to the Committee on Public Finance, and the House agreed. Tabling of Reports: Monetary Policy Framework and Justice Department Performance Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya moved several items for parliamentary approval, including Orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act, the Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme under the Welfare Benefits Act, and an Order under the Strategic Development Projects Act. The motion was then put to the House. Bills Presented and Orders Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary Moved approval of the Order made under Section 14 of the Sri Lanka Export Development Act, No. 40 of 1979, relating to the CESS levy and published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2400/25 of 5 September 2024. The motion was presented on behalf of the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, with Cabinet approval signified. Bills Presented and Orders Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary Moved for approval the items numbered 1 through 8 and 10 on the day’s Order Paper. Stated that Item No. 9 would not be moved that day. Bills Presented and Orders Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya presented the Appropriation Bill, 2025 on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The Bill was scheduled for Second Reading on 17 February 2025, ordered to be printed, and referred to the Committee on Public Finance. The sitting also recorded the presentation of the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, with its Second Reading set for 23 January 2025 and referral to the relevant Ministerial Consultative Committee. Bills Presented and Orders Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister presented the National Delimitation Commission’s Annual Performance Report for 2023 and proposed that it be referred to the relevant committee. The House agreed to the proposal. Opening and Announcements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary The motion sought parliamentary approval for regulations governing the administration of state lands in the Colombo Port City, made under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act and issued by Gazette Extraordinary No. 2394/68 of 26 July 2024. It noted that the regulations had been formulated after consultation with the State Lands (Management) Authority and had received Cabinet approval. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Motions: Approval of Regulations under Payment Systems Act, Casino Business Regulation, and Colombo Port City Economic Commission Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary Approval was sought for regulations on issuing licences for casino businesses under the Casino Business (Regulation) Act, No. 17 of 2010, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2386/09 of 29 May 2024 and presented to Parliament on 7 January 2025. The motion noted that Cabinet approval had been granted, and the regulation was approved by the House. Motions: Approval of Regulations under Payment Systems Act, Casino Business Regulation, and Colombo Port City Economic Commission Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya moved for approval of regulations made under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, No. 28 of 2005, and published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2382/11 of 30 April 2024. She noted that the regulations had been presented on 7 January 2025 and had received Cabinet approval; the motion was agreed to. Motions: Approval of Regulations under Payment Systems Act, Casino Business Regulation, and Colombo Port City Economic Commission Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary Harini Amarasuriya moved for parliamentary approval of an Order made under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2389/08 and presented on 7 January 2025, with Cabinet approval noted. She also moved approval of related Orders under the Payments and Settlements Systems Act, the Casino Business (Regulation) Act, and the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, before opening the debate and calling on Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Foreign Exchange Act, Payment Systems Act, and Casino Business Regulation Public Finance Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya informed the House that Items 1 and 5 on the Order Paper would not be moved that day. She presented Items 2, 3, 4 and 6 for approval. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Foreign Exchange Act, Payment Systems Act, and Casino Business Regulation Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary In response to a question on fertilizer subsidy payments in the Ampara District, Harini Amarasuriya stated that 95.4% of farmers had received the first instalment and 99.7% the second instalment of the Rs. 25,000 payment. She said the remaining Rs. 10,000 balance would be paid within two weeks and emphasized that fertilizer subsidies are provided before, not after, harvesting. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Agriculture Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary A total of 606,992 farmers are eligible for the fertilizer assistance scheme, with district-wise details tabled in the Library. The assistance covers the period from 1 October 2024 to 15 February 2025, with the Rs. 25,000 payment divided into two tranches; only the first Rs. 15,000 tranche has been paid so far in line with Election Commission guidelines, and further disbursement is continuing based on district requests. The Government plans to develop a fairer structured mechanism for future fertilizer support after consultations with farmer organizations, including direct delivery to fields, and intends to provide 25,239.73 metric tons of Muriate of Potash free for the 2024/2025 Maha season. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary Protection of tourists in Sri Lanka is a state obligation, as any harm can have international repercussions. The security measures in Arugam Bay were based on intelligence about possible threats and were not intended to facilitate unauthorized centres. On entry policy, nationality-based discrimination is not permitted under international law, but persons implicated in war crimes or subject to international sanctions may be barred, and the Government will consider suitable mechanisms for this in future. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Law & OrderForeign AffairsSecurity & Defence Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the centres in question are operating without authorization and said prompt action will be taken. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Law & Order Read →