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10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Thursday, 27 February 2025

10th Parliament· 8 debates· 177 speeches· 70 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1741437399068186 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Grade 5 Scholarship Exam 2024 - Leak of Questions (Q.105/2024) 21 speeches
    • Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education to provide details on the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, including the number of candidates and whether any exam papers or contents had been leaked to external parties before the examination. He sought information on actions taken regarding any leak, remedies for affected students, and whether evaluation of answer scripts had been suspended, including the reasons for any suspension.

      EducationJustice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya provided details on the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, stating that 323,901 students applied and 319,284 sat the exam, and that investigations found three conceptually similar questions had been shared in a private tuition WhatsApp group before the examination. She outlined the Supreme Court’s ruling on related Fundamental Rights applications, including orders to implement a remedial measure and pay State costs, and described departmental and disciplinary actions against officials and teachers involved. She also listed planned preventive measures, including stronger security in confidential branches, CCTV upgrades, reduced human intervention in paper preparation, tighter supervision, and restrictions on mobile phone use at examination centres.

      EducationJustice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the handling of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination issue affecting 319,000 students, noting that although action was taken against offenders, the decision to adjust marking rather than re-hold the exam had created concerns about fairness. He said some students who did not attempt the disputed questions may have gained an advantage over those who did. He also raised concern that Grade 6 admissions had proceeded without cut-off marks being issued, causing overcrowding and shortages of classroom facilities, and requested immediate action to resolve the situation.

      Education Full speech →
    • Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya clarified that only a group of parents sought a re-examination of the Grade 5 Scholarship examination, while others opposed it, and noted that Tamil-medium candidates would also have been affected despite no issue in the Tamil paper. She said an Expert Committee, including child psychologists, was appointed to assess the matter from examination and child mental health perspectives, and that its recommendation was followed to minimize stress and avoid prejudice to results. She stated that she did not directly intervene in the Department of Examinations’ operational work in order to preserve its independence, and explained that delays in releasing cut-off marks were due to court proceedings and an interim order suspending marking.

      Justice & Human RightsParliamentary ProcedureEducation Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB

      AI summary Following a court decision, the relevant authorities set the required cut-off marks and expect the remaining related processes to conclude shortly. The matter was described as having been resolved quickly.

      Education Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara acknowledged the Prime Minister’s response regarding action taken after a Supreme Court decision, then raised a supplementary question on higher education. He specifically sought clarification on the appointment of the Vice Chancellor of the Open University, referencing the Prime Minister’s prior association with that institution.

      Education Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that there was no procedural issue with him asking the question because the relevant Member had no objection. He urged the Speaker not to prevent such questions, noting that this was a customary practice.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Bimal Rathnayake briefly responded affirmatively, indicating enthusiastic agreement or consent to the matter under discussion.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara objected to an interjection or characterization of his remarks as “enthusiasm,” stating that he was raising a question. He complained to the Speaker that interruptions or difficulties arise whenever he speaks, and attributed the issue to the conduct or attitudes of others in the Chamber.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a procedural point by referring to the Standing Orders and indicating he had reviewed them. He appeared to seek the Speaker’s guidance or the Minister’s consent on a matter, but the excerpt ends before the specific request or issue is stated.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara noted that the Prime Minister had agreed to allow a question to be raised. He indicated that if the question were not permitted, he would proceed with a different question.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya briefly directed a Member to proceed with asking their question. No substantive policy position or proposal was presented in this intervention.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara complained that he was being prevented from asking his question and proceeded to raise a second supplementary question to the Prime Minister. He began by referring to the Prime Minister’s time at the Open University and to the period when Ranil Wickremesinghe was President, but the substantive question is not included in the excerpt.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya briefly clarified that the matter under discussion did not occur during Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe’s presidency.

      Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns about the handling of vice chancellor appointments at Rajarata University, Eastern University, and South Eastern University. He alleged that names proposed by university councils appointed before the current Government were sent back and new councils asked to submit fresh names, arguing that university councils are composed of qualified individuals rather than political appointees. He compared this to earlier disputes over vice chancellor appointments and questioned the Government’s consistency on the issue.

      Corruption & Governance ReformEducation Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara objected to the Government’s alleged practice of reappointing university Councils and seeking fresh recommendations for Vice Chancellor appointments instead of acting on nominations already made before the change of government. He cited cases involving the Universities of Ruhuna, Rajarata, Eastern and South Eastern, and argued that restarting a process normally begun months in advance was unfair and could disadvantage candidates. He asked what action the Government would take to address the issue.

      EducationCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB

      AI summary Under the Universities Act, Vice Chancellor appointments are made by the President following University Grants Commission recommendations based on names proposed by University Councils, with no ministerial intervention. For Rajarata, South Eastern and Eastern universities, the UGC rejected earlier proposals due to deficiencies in the marking scheme, notified the universities and the President, and decided to readvertise and restart the process, allowing previous applicants to reapply. The reconstitution of university Councils during this period was described as unrelated to the Vice Chancellor appointments. Regarding the University of Ruhuna, the Minister said the situation was different because the university had become ungovernable amid strikes and access issues, and a Competent Authority was appointed under legal powers while a court case remains pending.

      Education Full speech →