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

8 January 2025 AI summary 25,514 Israeli nationals visited Sri Lanka in the previous year, but immigration records do not indicate whether any were members of the Israeli Defence Forces. The Minister stated that tourists, including Israelis, are not legally permitted to conduct business or establish industries, and that the Government is preparing measures to address such violations. She said no Israeli nationals had been arrested since 2020 for lacking valid visas, though one is currently held at the Mirihana Detention Centre, and that no official permission has been granted for Israeli religious or similar centres despite reports of unauthorized operations being monitored. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Foreign AffairsLaw & Order Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary Academic freedom should be protected through decisions made primarily within universities, through bodies such as Councils, Senates, Faculty Boards and student unions. The Government’s role was described as setting policy to uphold academic freedom, intervening only when it is obstructed, and avoiding undue interference in university affairs. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Education Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that the Government’s policy is to ensure universities operate independently with strong academic freedom. She denied allegations that her Office or the Ministry intervened in university activities, saying the report was false, and noted that she had told Vice-Chancellors, including Peradeniya’s, that debates and events within universities are legitimate and healthy. She also said Vice-Chancellors have a responsibility to uphold academic freedom. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Education Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary From 2026, the Department of Examinations is expected to restore examination schedules to normal, following disruptions to school calendars from 2020 to 2024 caused by COVID-19 and related crises. For the 2025 school year, 181 school days have been allocated to complete syllabi by December, enabling a return to the normal calendar thereafter, with further details tabled in the Library. Plans for education reform include ensuring 13 years of uninterrupted education, strengthening teacher and principal recruitment and training, upgrading infrastructure, reforming curricula and institutions from 2025 with phased implementation from 2026, and expanding higher education opportunities in technology, science and vocational fields. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Education Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya said the programme is a new type of initiative aimed at personal and social transformation rather than force-driven implementation, and acknowledged that mistakes may occur as institutions adjust to this approach. She emphasized that the intended change should be achieved through participation, willingness and consensus, with continued engagement, discussion and correction among officials and stakeholders. She also stated that, due to the programme’s importance and public interest, two days, 21 and 22 January, would be allocated for a parliamentary debate in the next sitting week. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya said the Government views its mandate as requiring deep social transformation rather than merely a change in officeholders, and that it is prepared to face opposition to that process. She emphasized that the Government is accountable to the people’s mandate and that the transformation must involve broad public participation and changes in social attitudes and relationships. Referring to media polarization, she expressed the expectation that such change would also influence the media environment over time. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya outlined the objectives and implementation structure of the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, describing it as a national initiative to promote social, ethical and environmental transformation, good governance, and sustainable development. She said a 19-member Presidential Task Force, a Secretariat under the Presidential Secretariat, and legally based district and village-level councils would coordinate policy, public participation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. She stated that public institutions must integrate relevant programme activities into their action plans, while special projects would be funded through budget allocations and a transparent “Clean Sri Lanka” Fund, with citizens invited to contribute proposals, volunteer work, expertise and financial support. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Corruption & Governance ReformEnvironmentReligion & Culture Read →
7 January 2025 AI summary Agreed to the 30-minute lunch break for the day in response to a request made that morning, while noting that the Committee on Parliamentary Business had previously decided not to take such breaks. Urged that this exception should not become a regular practice. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya called for parliamentary decorum to be observed by both sides of the House. She noted that a Minister whose name is mentioned may raise a point of order, but objected to aggressive interventions and urged consistent application of procedural conduct. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 January 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya proposed, subject to Government agreement, that Parliament forgo the lunch break for the day due to the lengthy list of Announcements. She noted that such arrangements should not become routine, as they impose difficulties on parliamentary staff. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya sought clarification on the scheduling decision, stating that the Committee on Parliamentary Business had agreed not to cancel the lunch break. She asked the Deputy Speaker to confirm whether that understanding was correct. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 January 2025 AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya acknowledged the importance of the debate but raised concerns that cancelling the lunch break would place difficulties on parliamentary staff. She requested that speakers be accommodated within the available time and asked other Members to do the same. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya responded to the Leader of the Opposition regarding parliamentary scheduling, stating that the lunch half-hour is generally preserved to avoid difficulties for staff. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 January 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Government intends to prioritize the completion of school buildings that are 80 to 90 per cent finished. She said all such buildings are being reviewed and considered for attention, in response to a question raised in Parliament. Oral Question: Bandaragama Central Secondary School Development (Continuation of earlier question) Public FinanceEducation Read →
7 January 2025 AI summary The Minister said the school’s development began under the “Nearest School is the Best School” project during 2016-2020 and that the Government is reviewing selected schools, many of which have incomplete construction. She stated that the plan is to ensure every child has access to a primary school within 3 kilometres, with clusters feeding into fully equipped secondary schools, while prioritizing schools where work has already begun. She undertook to examine the specific school, including any existing master plan, and said it would be considered if viable. Oral Question: Bandaragama Central Secondary School Development (Continuation of earlier question) EducationInfrastructure Read →
7 January 2025 AI summary In response to a parliamentary question, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that Rs. 217 million has so far been spent on the school construction project. She said the planned U-shaped four-storeyed building segment is fully completed, while the building where work had stopped is now 25% complete. She added that removed black stone has been handed over to the school for auction, and that about Rs. 300 million more is needed to complete the remaining work, with part of the funding allocated in the 2025 interim budget and the balance to be provided through the forthcoming Budget. Oral Question: Bandaragama Central Secondary School Development (Continuation of earlier question) Infrastructure Read →
7 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya tabled annual reports from the Eastern University of Sri Lanka, the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture of the University of Peradeniya, and the Inland Revenue Department, and moved that they be referred to the relevant committees. She also presented a series of regulations and orders issued under laws including the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, Foreign Exchange Act, Payment and Settlement Systems Act, Casino Business (Regulation) Act, Ports and Airports Development Levy Act, Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, and Special Commodity Levy Act, with associated Gazette notifications from 2024. Papers: Tabling of Annual Reports and Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya rejected Opposition criticism over government members’ qualifications, arguing that it was politically motivated and aimed at undermining a government elected with a large mandate less than a month earlier. She said the Government valued diverse forms of knowledge, including formal education, practical experience, adult learning, distance education and lifelong learning, and would seek to ensure that people are not excluded from future opportunities because they missed conventional educational pathways. She also called on the Opposition to fulfil its parliamentary role responsibly by questioning and critiquing the Government through meaningful, country-focused engagement rather than what she described as immature political attacks. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Education Read →
17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya proposed reallocating Rs. 6,500 million within the existing cash assistance provision to create a “Grant for Purchase of School Stationery and Equipment,” with delivery mechanisms under review by relevant ministries and annual implementation planned from next year. She also outlined measures to support school attendance, including reviewing the mid-day meal programme and providing uniforms to all children in 2025 through a Chinese Government donation. She defended the Government’s handling of international relations and said it welcomed public scrutiny of Ministers’ and Members’ qualifications, emphasizing transparency. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Public FinanceForeign AffairsEducation Read →
17 December 2024 AI summary (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya responded to a question on education staffing in Puttalam District, stating that there are eight National Schools, two Educational Zones, 179 teacher vacancies in National Schools and 1,262 in Provincial Schools, with detailed breakdowns tabled. She said around 4,500 National Colleges of Education diploma holders are expected to be appointed in January 2025, and further recruitment to vacancies arising after 30 June 2023 has Cabinet approval for 2025. She also explained that absorption of Development Officers and other graduates into the teaching service remains suspended due to a court order and lack of Public Service Commission approval for recruitment without competitive exams, while ministerial and officials’ committees are preparing recommendations for a long-term solution. Procedural: Ministerial Statement and Points of Order Parliamentary ProcedureEducation Read →