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

5 February 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister tabled a detailed answer on recruitment to Grade III of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service under Gazette No. 2231 of 2021.06.04. She stated that 625 candidates sat the 2020/2021 examination, 68 were called for interviews, and 65 appointments were made by the Public Service Commission effective from 2022.03.26, including six officers who had retired by the time appointment letters were issued. She attributed the delay in issuing appointments to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent Treasury and Presidential circulars suspending or deferring recruitment due to fiscal constraints. Oral Question: SLEAS Recruitment, Road Development, and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Public FinanceEmployment Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister presented the 2024 Annual Reports of the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka and the Employees’ Trust Fund Board, and moved that they be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations. She also presented several orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act and a resolution under the Customs Ordinance relating to import duties, moving that they be referred to the Committee on Public Finance. Both motions were agreed to by the House. Papers Presented: Government Reports and Annual Reports Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary Moved approval of regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act concerning telecommunications infrastructure sharing, as published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2396/32 of 7 August 2024 and presented to Parliament on 23 January 2026. The motion noted that Cabinet approval had been signified. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary Responding to a question by Hon. Thilina Samarakoon, the Prime Minister stated that Sri Lanka recorded 2,362,521 tourist arrivals in 2025, the highest in its history, generating USD 3.2 billion in gross foreign exchange earnings. She said the 2026 target is 3 million arrivals, supported by a 2026–2030 strategic plan, airport expansion, tourism zones, a Presidential Task Force, infrastructure development, digital access systems, workforce training, promotion, regulation of service providers, and measures on sustainability and social security. She also noted steps to seek Blue Flag certifications to strengthen international recognition of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. Parliamentary Announcements and Ministerial Statement InfrastructureEmploymentForeign Affairs Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that the Government is inspecting and assessing schools to identify needs and prepare plans, while also providing temporary solutions where necessary. She asked the Member to provide specific details so she could inquire into the matters raised and take appropriate action. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Education Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary After Cyclone “Ditwah”, the Ministry of Education’s Engineering Division inspected affected schools and its findings are being verified with the National Building Research Organisation before action is taken. The Prime Minister stated that some damaged school buildings can be repaired on site, while others require relocation, and that the Ministry has identified these cases and is proceeding accordingly. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers EnvironmentInfrastructureEducation Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that the incomplete three-storey building at Deltota Muslim College in Kandy was constructed under the “Nearest School - The Best School” programme, but only the ground floor was completed due to funding limitations. She said the four completed classrooms are in use, while eight classrooms on the remaining two floors are planned at an estimated cost of Rs. 55.8 million. Funds have been requested this year to complete the remaining construction under the same programme. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers EducationInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary Grade 6 textbooks based on the existing, unchanged syllabus have been printed and distribution has begun, with completion expected by mid-February. Teaching has already commenced, and assurances were given that students will not be disadvantaged and necessary measures will be taken. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Education Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that no modules have been removed from the curriculum. She said the modules will be used for Grade 6 when education reforms begin in 2027, after making identified corrections. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Education Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary Printed textbooks have been distributed, while the paused materials are Grade 6 modules prepared under the first phase of education reforms. The modules have not been rejected or scrapped; they are intended to be used, with necessary corrections, when Grade 6 reforms are implemented in 2027. She stated that there is therefore no loss from their withdrawal. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Education Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister provided a written answer on the Department of Educational Publications, outlining its responsibilities for producing and distributing educational textbooks and materials. She tabled data on reusable and remaining school textbooks from 2020 to 2025, including quantities and financial values, noting that precise records were limited before the IT-based ordering system introduced for 2023-2025. She also reported textbook printing costs for 2021 and 2022 use, and described measures to ensure timely textbook distribution through computerized ordering, stock-based print planning, procurement scheduling, and expanded transport and staffing arrangements. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Public FinanceEducation Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary Moved a resolution to approve three non-Members of Parliament for appointment to the Constitutional Council under Article 41A of the Constitution, following the expiry of the terms of the previous members on 19 January 2026. The nominees, proposed by the Speaker with the agreement of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, are Kalupage Austin Fernando, Professor Wasantha Seneviratne, and Udunuwara Gampathige Ranjith Ariyaratna. Business of Parliament: Constitutional Council Appointments Resolution Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary Moved the Third Reading of the amended Bill and requested permission to correct typographical, printing, grammatical and numbering errors and make ancillary amendments. The motion was agreed to, and the Bill was read a third time and passed. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the key issues concerning education reforms should be debated substantively in relation to national goals, competencies, and pathways. She indicated readiness to consider constructive proposals and proceed on that basis. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Education Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister defended the Universities (Amendment) Bill, stating that it responds to long-standing demands from FUTA and the university community for more democratic and transparent processes in appointing Heads of Departments and Deans, while preserving academic autonomy and strengthening public accountability. She said Committee Stage amendments would incorporate further proposals, including some raised by the Opposition and FUTA, and rejected claims that the Bill would politicize university governance. She also outlined the Government’s education reform framework, emphasizing national education goals, foundational literacies, digital and future skills, lifelong learning, flexible pathways, and stronger integration of vocational education. Addressing criticism over a Grade 6 module error, she said the Government had accepted responsibility and corrected it promptly, while urging the Opposition to engage substantively with the reform proposals. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Parliamentary ProcedureEducation Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that, as the National Institute of Education is a statutory body governed by its Council, any disciplinary action against officials must be decided by the Council, following a primary inquiry led by former Secretary Ranjith Ariyaratne. She also clarified that the Dharma Chakra/Ashoka Chakra symbol used in the book was the officially approved emblem of the Ministry of Buddhist Affairs, endorsed by its Advisory Council on Buddhism and affirmed by the Mahanayake Theros of Asgiriya and Malwathu. Ministerial Statement: Education Reform Issues Religion & CultureEducation Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister said there is no suspension of the 2026 education reforms and that 106 trilingual Grade 1 and Grade 6 modules have been prepared, with an inappropriate web reference removed from an English module. She stated the reforms are part of a long-delayed system-wide transformation based on earlier policy and curriculum work, supported by pilots, reviews, teacher training, and new guidance to discontinue embedded web links in future modules. She added that modules will be distributed by 21 January 2026, Grade 6 will begin on 21 January and Grade 1 on 29 January, while pending teacher training, digital equipment distribution, and internet connectivity expansion are being completed to support implementation. Ministerial Statement: Education Reform Issues Education Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister rejected allegations that the Government was selectively protecting individuals or evidence, citing ongoing cases against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe as evidence to the contrary. She stated that prosecutions would proceed according to due process and affirmed that the Government would not shield anyone from legal action. Oral Question: Policy Implementation and Case Re-filing (Q.2/219/2024) Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary The Prime Minister stated that, of 102 cases, 65 had been re-filed and 3 were under consideration, while noting that she did not have details of each case available. She rejected claims of a “shield of protection,” saying cases were being reactivated even against current and former powerful figures, and that decisions were being made on available evidence rather than rank or status. She added that some cases were 15 to 20 years old and required time for review before re-filing. Oral Question: Policy Implementation and Case Re-filing (Q.2/219/2024) Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government’s 2024 policy framework included a commitment to review cases withdrawn by the Bribery Commission and the Attorney-General and re-file suitable cases. She said 102 cases were withdrawn between 2019 and 2024, of which 65 have been re-filed, 34 will not be re-filed, and three remain under consideration. Oral Question: Policy Implementation and Case Re-filing (Q.2/219/2024) Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →