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

7 April 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister provided details on the Clean Sri Lanka Programme, including the membership of its Task Force, expenditure of Rs. 2,497.41 million against a Rs. 5,050 million 2025 allocation, and reported financial and physical progress of 49.5 per cent and 69.86 per cent respectively by 31 December 2025. She stated that coordination structures have been established from national to village level, largely with voluntary participation, while experts, institutions, civil society, private sector actors and international partners contribute technical, financial and labour support. She also outlined donation mechanisms, related legal and administrative measures, digital and media outreach activities, and examples such as urban forests and canal plastic-reduction initiatives. Written Answers to Questions EnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the names in the two Gazettes issued by former President Maithripala Sirisena in December 2016 did not include any names from Gazette No. 123 issued during British administration. She noted that the names referred to by the Member appear in a different Gazette and include many differing or duplicate names not found in the Sirisena-era Gazettes, and said the matter requires further investigation before a decision is taken. Ministry Statement: Direct Ferry Service between Mannar and India Justice & Human Rights Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya answered a question on persons declared traitors by British colonial authorities, noting that the seven Muslim leaders referred to were among 190 leaders named in the British Gazette No. 123 of 7 June 1804. She stated that the 2016 and 2017 Gazettes issued by former President Maithripala Sirisena did not appear to include any of those 190 names, and that further action would follow after confirmation from historical experts. She tabled the annexed details and placed them in the Library. Ministry Statement: Direct Ferry Service between Mannar and India Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary A concern is acknowledged regarding the unfair concentration of teachers in Jaffna and the need for balanced teacher distribution. Members are urged not to challenge or appeal transfer and assignment decisions intended to ensure equity, including postings to more remote areas or islets within Jaffna District. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionEducation Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that teacher transfers are carried out according to established procedures, not arbitrarily. She acknowledged significant teacher shortages in the Northern Province, particularly in Kilinochchi, Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu, and said recruitment exams scheduled for May and the placement of graduate teachers this year would prioritize the most deficient areas. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions EducationEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary Regular awareness programmes are being carried out to address recurring issues in schools. Based on a report by Prof. Asvini Fernando and Prof. Gamila Samarasinghe, a response protocol for schools has been prepared and issued to the school system through a circular or regulation. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions Education Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that existing guidelines on media reporting of incidents involving children do not require amendment, as they already prohibit disclosure of details that violate privacy or sensationalize cases. She said the main problem is non-implementation, and that the National Child Protection Authority, media institutions, and the Ministry of Mass Media are being engaged to improve compliance and consider further regulation. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions Corruption & Governance ReformWomen & Children Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary A total of 1,026 incidents of abuse and violence were reported, resulting in 425 school dropouts and 6 suicides. The response outlined measures including strengthened school counselling, activation of attendance committees, teacher and principal training on professional ethics, coordination with child protection, social services and police authorities, and awareness programmes for school communities and parents. The Minister also noted the issuance of Circular No. 11/2026, reaffirming the Supreme Court ruling in FR 461/2012 prohibiting corporal punishment and any physical or mental harm to children, and said a common action plan is being developed with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs following an expert review. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions EducationWomen & ChildrenJustice & Human Rights Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister presented the 2024 annual reports of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Limited and the National Lotteries Board, which were referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations. She also presented the 2024 annual reports of five universities, including Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo, Peradeniya, the Buddhist and Pali University, and the Open University, which were referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital. Several statutory documents, including an Essential Public Services proclamation, virement and supplementary allocation reports, and a Universities Act order establishing departments in the Faculty of Arts and Culture of Eastern University, were tabled. Papers: Auditor-General's Report and Ministry Annual Reports Tabling Parliamentary ProcedurePublic FinanceEducation Read →
20 March 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that the number of vehicles in use had been reduced from 833 to 634, a decrease of about 200, in line with an earlier commitment. She added that, of 60 vehicles assigned to other State institutions, 8 had been returned, further reducing usage. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Public Finance Read →
20 March 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister answered a question on vehicle usage in the Presidential Secretariat, stating that the vehicle pool had reduced from 833 to 634 vehicles currently in use. She said 60 vehicles had been assigned to other State institutions, 8 had been returned and put back into use, and the remaining vehicles are used for official duties of the Presidential Secretariat. She stated that the reduction of about 200 vehicles reflects the Government’s promised decrease in vehicle usage. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said the Government recognizes teacher shortages and other education challenges in the estate community, and will consider special deployment and training measures within the ongoing recruitment of over 23,000 teachers required by a Court determination. She said the current fuel and energy pressures arise from a global crisis linked to the Middle East war and rising commodity prices, not from Government failure, and outlined measures including monitoring fuel supplies, using diplomatic channels, reintroducing the QR fuel system, and daily Cabinet subcommittee meetings. She also stated that a committee chaired by Hon. Upali Pannilage has been appointed to propose social protection measures for informal workers and small businesses likely to be affected. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis EducationPublic FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated that the proposal under discussion does not address the matter raised by the Hon. Member. She indicated that the Minister of Justice, Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, would provide clarification. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Moved for Parliament to approve, under Section 26(2) of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, the remuneration and conditions of service for CIABOC officers and employees, including a 971-position cadre and a new remuneration scheme with specified allowances. She said the approval is needed to operationalize the expanded mandate and independence of CIABOC under the 2023 Act, address staffing and legal-capacity constraints, and clear a backlog of over 4,000 concluded investigation files. She also noted Cabinet’s approval of special committees to manage impacts from current external energy pressures and ensure continuity of essential services. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Parliamentary ProcedurePublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Several Government Bills were presented, including amendments to the Inland Revenue Act and the Social Security Contribution Levy Act, both scheduled for Second Reading on 7 April 2026 and referred to the Committee on Public Finance. A Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill was also introduced to reform insolvency law, provide mechanisms for rescuing and rehabilitating individuals and companies, repeal the Insolvency Ordinance, and amend related legislation including the Companies Act, Inland Revenue Act, and Mediation Boards Act. Bills Presented and Points of Order Public Finance Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister presented several annual reports and accounts, including those of the University of Moratuwa, its Institute of Technology, Hotel Developers (Lanka) Ltd., and the Sri Lanka Accounting and Auditing Standards Monitoring Board, and moved that they be referred to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committees. She also presented rules made under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023, on the repatriation of export proceeds into Sri Lanka, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2473/30, and moved that they be referred to the Committee on Public Finance. All motions were agreed to. Tabling of Reports and Papers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya moved for parliamentary approval of the Presidential Proclamation published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2477/47 of 28 February 2026 under Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act, No. 61 of 1979. The proclamation and its schedule, presented on 3 March 2026, were approved by the House. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 March 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister defended the extension of emergency regulations, arguing that over the previous three months they had not been used to repress protests, media criticism, or social media activity, and asked the Opposition to provide specific evidence if alleging misuse. She said the extension was needed to maintain essential services after a major disaster, support ongoing needs assessments, and coordinate medium- and long-term recovery through international-standard post-disaster planning. She outlined rebuilding priorities including resilient transport and school infrastructure, a Presidential Task Force with subcommittees, urgent attention to people still in camps, and coordination among road authorities and the tri-forces where necessary. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Public FinanceSecurity & DefenceInfrastructure Read →
6 March 2026 AI summary Moved for parliamentary approval of the President’s Proclamation under Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance, bringing Part II of the Ordinance into operation throughout Sri Lanka from 28 February 2026. The motion seeks formal approval of the emergency-related proclamation, and the question was proposed to the House. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 March 2026 AI summary In response to a question on disaster damage to schools in the Kandy District, the Prime Minister tabled an answer stating that no government school was completely damaged, while 57 schools were partially damaged, with details provided in annexes. The answer identified several schools at risk of future landslides and noted that National Building Research Organisation recommendations included removing some from high-risk areas. It further stated that policy decisions on relocation are in progress and listed seven schools recommended for relocation to safer sites. Oral Questions: Various Tabled Answers (Health, Justice, Education) EducationInfrastructure Read →