Sitting of Monday, 10 March 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1743651953052186 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
Order of business
Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.
- 1 Opening Special Workshop on Digital Economy Strategy 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Presented and Ministerial Consultative Committee Reports 6 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions 4 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Answers to Questions 19 speeches
- 5 Debate Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage 114 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Speaker in the Chair
AI summary The Committee continued consideration of the Appropriation Bill, 2025, resuming from 8 March. The item before the Committee was Head 126, relating to the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, specifically Programme 01 on Operational Activities with recurrent expenditure of Rs. 39.36 billion.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB
AI summary Dr. V.S. Radhakrishnan moved a token cut to the Ministry of Education expenditure heads during the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2025, and opened the debate by emphasizing the importance and legacy of free education in Sri Lanka. He credited C.W.W. Kannangara and successive leaders and education ministers for policies such as Central Colleges, teacher training, midday meals, uniforms, textbooks, Mahindodaya laboratories, and technology streams. He also set out current education sector figures, including the number of schools, students, teachers, principals and teacher training colleges.
Education Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan urged the Government to expedite unfinished school development works under the “Nearest School is the Best School” programme and to use the 2025 education budget allocations effectively, including for teacher training colleges, sanitation, water, computer facilities, and incomplete Tamil language training infrastructure. He requested swift action to release 2,500 estate-sector teacher appointments, clarifying that appointments should be based on “Tamil schools” rather than “Tamil-medium schools,” and called for more graduate teachers to improve A/L access and university admission rates among estate students. He also proposed further development of selected estate schools for science and mathematics A/L streams, continuation of National Tamil Language Day as a national event, and attention to stalled works such as the Kotagala Training College.
- Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya paid tribute to the late Dr. Janaki Jayawardena and linked her role in the FUTA struggle to the need for wider social engagement on education reform. Presenting the 2025 education allocation of Rs. 619 billion, including Rs. 21 billion for capital expenditure, she outlined five reform pillars: curriculum renewal, capacity building for education personnel, infrastructure improvements including sanitation and unfinished school projects, strengthened assessment through the Examinations Department, and social dialogue. She said priority would be given to improving National Colleges of Education, faculties of education, school facilities—especially in estate areas—and higher education quality and student welfare, rather than politically driven expansion without adequate standards or resources.
Education Full speech → - Mr. Deputy Speaker (Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih)
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih assumed the Chair as Deputy Speaker after the Hon. Speaker left the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa argued that education reform must begin with early childhood education and address inequalities between urban and rural schools while strengthening all 10,096 schools. He questioned the Government’s failure to remove VAT on educational equipment and noted that education spending remains far below the previously advocated target of 6 per cent of GDP. He proposed supplementary financing through education philanthropy, sister-school and foreign institutional partnerships, and school trust funds, while calling for action on staff shortages, teacher and principal salary anomalies, inclusive education for persons with disabilities, and integration of AI and STEAM education. He also sought clear plans for promised graduate recruitment, raised concerns over allowances for university staff, treatment of development officers, and alleged political reprisals in the education sector.
- Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne spoke on the Education Ministry Vote, emphasizing that the Rs. 619 billion allocation must address not only qualitative reforms but also basic infrastructure for safe and accessible learning environments. She highlighted substandard and unfinished school buildings, unused smart boards procured under a 2024 China-supported project, sanitation and water shortages, menstrual hygiene needs, and underused teacher-training facilities, outlining allocations for building completion, safety, provincial facilities, special education, assistive equipment, teacher training, and water and toilet improvements. She also cited major infrastructure and accessibility problems across universities, including incomplete buildings, inadequate laboratories and hostels, unsafe conditions, and lack of disability access, and noted funding for selected health sciences and medical faculty projects.
- Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan called for reforms to curricula, teaching methods, teacher recruitment, and higher education to make learning more student-centred and employment-oriented, including the introduction of polytechnic-style diploma programmes for students not entering universities. He noted that the 2025 Budget increases education allocations to Rs. 271 billion but argued that the sector’s share should rise to at least 10 per cent, while expressing concern over reduced funding for primary school facilities. He highlighted infrastructure, research funding, staffing, and teacher deployment problems, particularly in the North and East, and proposed recruiting teacher trainees locally for appointment to underserved areas. He also detailed shortages and facility needs in Trincomalee District, including 1,875 teacher vacancies, schools without principals or watchmen, dilapidated buildings, lack of technology labs, and flood and elephant risks, and urged urgent funding and appointments.
- Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF
AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana welcomed increased allocations for education and asked the Government to clarify proposed reforms, including the reported Grade 9 examination and possible changes to the Grade 5 Scholarship, O/L and A/L examinations. He sought an explanation of the status and selection criteria for schools previously designated as National Schools under the programme to convert 1,000 Provincial Council schools, warning that unclear responsibility between provincial and central authorities could harm those schools. He also urged the Government to meet teachers’ and principals’ salary expectations and said strikes in health and education should be avoided because of their impact on lives and children’s futures.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF
AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana welcomed the presence of 22 women MPs in Parliament and noted the significance of a woman Prime Minister also holding the Education portfolio. He urged all 225 MPs to set an example of civility, mutual respect, and cooperation for the education sector and for children, regardless of party divisions. He said the Opposition would support positive decisions taken on education.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB
AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva expressed condolences on the death of Dr. Janaki Jayawardena and linked his remarks to the responsibility to protect and strengthen free education. He urged that special education be central to education reforms, with experts and special education teachers included in decision-making, and questioned why admissions to special education teacher training had been limited to 15. He also called for justice for Special Education Project Officers affected by non-implementation of a 2006 Cabinet decision, and for inclusive education measures such as accessible classrooms, assistive technology, mobility access, sign language support, and appropriate alternatives in examination papers for students with disabilities.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna argued that education reform should prioritize early childhood and primary education, with standards and trained staff for pre-schools, reduced exam pressure, and a clear government position on changes to the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination. He called for regulation of private and international schools, review of the GCE O/L subject load, attention to principal and university lecturer salary anomalies, and depoliticization of appointments in the education sector. He also urged expedited teacher recruitment and stronger support for students with special needs, including trained teachers rather than only physical facilities.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB
AI summary Harshana Rajakaruna briefly concluded his remarks by urging members to give special attention to the matters he had raised. He thanked the Chair for the time allotted.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson called Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep to speak and allocated him 11 minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
AI summary Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep said the 2025 Budget gives increased priority to education, but plantation-area schools continue to face long-standing shortages of teachers, resources, transport, housing, nutrition support and equitable allocation. He called for filling Tamil-medium and subject-specific vacancies, appointing local graduates, resolving delayed assistant teacher recruitment after court decisions, absorbing acting principals, training over 400 untrained hill-country teachers, and providing incentives for teachers from the North and East to serve in plantation areas. He also urged better facilities for remote schools in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi, upgrading Tamil-medium national schools by district, and establishing a university for the hill country.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson informed the Member that their allotted speaking time had expired.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep JJB
AI summary Sundaralingam Pradeep argued that the hill-country community has been held back by inadequate educational provision under past Governments. He acknowledged efforts by leaders such as Mano Ganesan to improve education and called for unity in advancing educational opportunities for the community.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan was called to speak and allocated nine minutes by the Deputy Chairperson. No substantive policy or legislative points were made in this procedural intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB
AI summary Mano Ganesan called for Government and Opposition cooperation to address the needs of disadvantaged communities, then urged the Prime Minister and Education Minister to act on long-standing Tamil-medium education issues in Colombo national schools. Citing Royal College, D.S. Senanayake College and Isipathana College, he argued that Tamil-medium classes are being reduced despite demand and resources, and requested increased Tamil-medium admissions, stronger staffing and management structures, and a special administrative focus for Tamil-medium education in cosmopolitan areas. He also proposed integrated schooling under one roof for Sinhala, Tamil and other communities, including by introducing Sinhala-medium sections in major Jaffna schools rather than maintaining separate schools.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna was recognized to speak and allotted 22 minutes by the Deputy Chairperson at 1.21 p.m.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna urged the Education Minister to issue pending teacher appointments, particularly for Sinhala-medium teachers in the North and East and graduate teachers in the Central Province. She argued that Sri Lanka’s education framework is outdated, citing long-standing laws and circulars, and said past reform efforts since the 1960s were obstructed by political and student movements. She called for renewed education reform beyond the existing model of free education, noting that past opposition to private, foreign, and curriculum reforms had limited opportunities for students, especially those from lower-income families.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson informed the Member that only two minutes remained for their speech.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Rohini Kumari Wijerathna urged the Minister to respond with practical solutions to issues in education, particularly the reported shortage of about 40,000 teachers despite an approved cadre of 235,924 and improved teacher-student ratios. She cautioned against using Development Officers to cover teacher vacancies and called for National Colleges of Education and Teacher Training Colleges to be modernized and elevated to university level. She also challenged claims that there is no two-thirds teacher pay anomaly, referencing the 2/97 Circular, the B.C. Perera Commission, her earlier parliamentary intervention in 2020, and the death of teacher Waruni Asanka during the related struggle.
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB
AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe rose on a Point of Order before the Deputy Chair. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was stated in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna requested that the State Minister respond after her remarks, noting that she had only two minutes to speak. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson directed the State Minister to respond after the Hon. Member’s speech, managing the order of debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna questioned the Government’s position on the teachers’ salary anomaly and urged greater attention to capital expenditure in education, noting that ministries often receive less than half of allocated capital funds and even less for projects. She raised concerns about alleged political influence in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors at universities including Ruhuna, Rajarata, Eastern and South Eastern, claiming shortlisted candidates were being bypassed after elections. She also highlighted the issue of fake certificates and tabled a Daily FT article by Prof. L.P. Jayatissa on fake journal publications in university systems.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson informed the Member that their allotted speaking time had expired.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna raised allegations of academic misconduct and irregular appointments, tabling documents concerning alleged fake or manipulated publications linked to a promotion and PhD, and questioning the handling of a lecturer’s teaching-hour shortfall and related charge sheet. She also warned that reducing spirit strength and selling alcohol in 180 ml packs could encourage alcohol use among children, citing increased alcohol consumption among schoolgirls and referring to Article 27 of the Constitution. She urged the Minister to address unresolved issues affecting employees across the education sector.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson called on Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe, State Minister, to speak. No substantive policy statement, proposal, or argument was made in this intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB
AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe rejected claims that he had denied the existence of teacher salary anomalies and challenged members to produce evidence, including video, before the debate ended. He said he had consistently represented teachers on the issue and indicated that he would explain the nature of the salary anomaly, including clarifying references made to “2/3,” with supporting documents.
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Mrs. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna informed the State Minister that she would send a video circulating on social media. The remark appears to relate to a matter under discussion requiring the Minister’s attention or verification.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Hon. Deputy Chairperson intervened procedurally to instruct a Member not to engage in debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary The Member said that if the response in question was not personally given but generated using AI technology, this should be stated accordingly. She indicated that she would send the relevant material for clarification or verification.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson called on Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna, Deputy Minister, to speak next and allocated him 14 minutes. No substantive policy remarks or arguments were made in this procedural intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB
AI summary Dr. Madhura Senevirathna said the Budget sets a direction for education reform aimed at continuity, sustainability and balance, contrasting it with past policies that emphasized either free education, technical education or ICT without a durable roadmap. He argued that the education system must reduce exam pressure, develop soft skills and citizenship from early childhood, and orient higher education toward global employability. He highlighted planned reforms including a pre-school education policy, strengthened special education units, and a regulatory framework for private and international schools. He added that the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination remains necessary only because of unequal school resources, and should become unnecessary once equity is achieved.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson informed the Deputy Minister that the allotted speaking time had expired.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB
AI summary Dr. Madhura Senevirathna briefly requested the Deputy Chair for one minute to speak. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or argument was presented in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested the Deputy Chair to grant another member an additional five minutes to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson informed the Deputy Minister that three minutes remained for the speech.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna said education reforms should focus on changing assessment methods to reduce stress on children and allow them to enjoy childhood, noting that some countries avoid examinations in early years. He suggested that such reforms could eventually make the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination unnecessary. He also acknowledged the role of teachers, principals, teacher advisors and Ministry officials, particularly those serving in difficult and remote schools, in implementing these reforms.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson called Hon. Ajith P. Perera to speak, allocating him nine minutes. The Chair then ordered a change in presiding officer, with Hon. Chanaka Madugoda taking the Chair as the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera argued that Sri Lanka’s free education tradition, associated with C.W.W. Kannangara, originally included both equality of access and strong English-medium opportunities through Central Colleges and bilingual schools. He said English proficiency has become a decisive factor in employment, higher education and professional advancement, contributing to demand for international schools and English streams in national schools. He proposed making primary education available in the mother tongue while introducing compulsory dual-medium English education from the secondary level in every school.
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera urged the Government to introduce English-medium education in all secondary schools, noting that English is constitutionally recognized as the link language and is essential for advancement in fields such as IT, law, medicine and commerce. He proposed a phased rollout beginning from Grade 6, supported by surveys, teacher training, investment, and use of English-proficient graduates and existing teachers. He said the Opposition would support the initiative, citing the historical role of English-medium Central Colleges in enabling social mobility and arguing that stronger English education could help reduce poverty and improve national competitiveness.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB
AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson urged greater budgetary attention to university accommodation and staffing, noting that only about 61,000 of 176,661 university students have hostel facilities and that State universities have around 7,000 vacancies against the approved cadre. He listed major infrastructure gaps in schools nationally and in Polonnaruwa District, including shortages of computers, laboratories, libraries, playgrounds, sanitation, teachers, and principals, with particular deficits in English, Mathematics and Science. He requested that recently designated national schools receive actual facilities and staff, citing specific needs at Thopawewa, Wilayaya and Ellehara Mahasen National Schools, including computers, teachers, quarters, an auditorium, water and sanitation. He also called for special attention to unsafe school access in Dimbulagala and Welikanda, including elephant threats and the need for protective fencing.
- The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB
AI summary Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran highlighted increased education allocations in the Budget and requested that part of the Rs. 10,000 million for national school infrastructure be directed to poorly equipped schools in Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Mannar. He cited serious staffing shortages in the Northern Province and proposed district-based competitive recruitment and placement for teachers and principals to address failures in past appointment and transfer procedures. He also called for remedies for surplus and acting principals, appointment of minor staff for schools, and action on delayed teacher training, promotions and increments.
- The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB
AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof raised concerns about ethnic segregation in educational administration in Trincomalee District and requested the establishment of separate education zones for Kuchchaveli and Thambalagamuwa, citing a 2023 recommendation from the Eastern Provincial Education Secretary regarding Kuchchaveli. He highlighted severe shortages of education administrative officers in Kinniya Zone and teacher vacancies across remote Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala schools, urging proper cadre creation and equitable teacher distribution when new College of Education graduates are appointed. He also called for tuition classes to be regulated through education policy, noting their impact on students’ study time.
- The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem
AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem used the Budget debate to request Education Ministry action on several Eastern Province education issues, including returning former police station land to Aligar National School, starting its technical stream, upgrading facilities and staffing at Meeraikeni Makkar Makkar National School, and addressing teacher shortages in Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Digamadulla. He also sought the handover of land for Ottamavadi National School’s playground, Cabinet approval for a girls’ school in Ottamavadi, and new or improved educational institutions including faculties at South Eastern University, a technical college in Pottuvil, a Sammanturai education zone, and facilities for schools in Kalmunai. He objected to remarks made in the previous day’s debate about Islamic marriage and divorce laws, and asked the Speaker to guide Members to avoid statements that could provoke communal sentiments.
- The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer supported the education-related Heads of Expenditure, stating that the Government had prioritized student welfare and school infrastructure to reduce inequalities in access to education. He cited allocations for uniforms, school buses, student vouchers, sanitary pads, nutrition, student health insurance, scholarships, sports schools, and unfinished school buildings, including Al-Ulak Central College. He also criticized politically motivated national school declarations and admissions practices, and emphasized completing neglected facilities and improving basic conditions such as sanitation.
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna raised a Point of Order referring to remarks by Deputy Minister Jayasinghe in a campaign-related media briefing for the Co-operative Employees’ Union elections. She argued that his statement about professional evaluation, competitive examination, and lack of qualified persons in two categories contradicted earlier assurances on resolving teachers’ and principals’ salary anomalies. She questioned whether the Government was now implying that teachers and principals lacked the qualifications needed to justify correcting those anomalies.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe rejected another Member’s claim that he had denied the existence of a teachers’ salary anomaly, saying his remarks had been taken out of context. He requested that a six-minute video of his earlier explanation be shown and stated that he would clarify the matter in detail in Parliament.
Employment Full speech → - The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna objected to a claim that teachers and principals lacked the qualifications to receive relief for salary anomalies. She stated that she had served as a teacher until 2015 and distinguished her own professional background from trade union activity related to securing salary benefits.
- The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC
AI summary The Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah urged education reforms, including modernized school and university curricula aligned with global and industry needs, and requested expansion of South Eastern University with Medical, Law, and Tourism Faculties. He asked the Ministry to grant permanent status to the Pottuvil Zonal Education Office and said reforms to Muslim Marriage and Divorce Law should be handled through relevant religious and government institutions without inflaming community sentiment. He strongly supported developing the non-State higher education sector, citing unmet demand for university places, foreign exchange outflows from students studying abroad, and recommendations of the 2023 Select Committee to create a Higher Education Commission, regulate private universities, support PPPs, and allow qualified institutes to use the term “University.”
- The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB
AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka said the Government has increased higher education funding to Rs. 118 billion and allocated 1.9 per cent of GDP for education, while noting fiscal limits on the policy goal of reaching 6 per cent. He highlighted shortages in academic and non-academic university staff and urged that Rs. 3 billion allocated for recruitment be used efficiently in consultation with the Treasury. He also called for faster A/L results and university admissions through modernization of the Examinations Department and UGC processes, and proposed easing duty on research equipment and expediting foreign university MoU approvals. He outlined increased salaries and allowances for academic and non-academic staff, stating the Government’s commitment to retaining qualified personnel in universities.
- The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir welcomed the Government’s Rs. 6,000 support for students but argued that weaknesses in teacher transfers, long commutes, and reduced teacher engagement are undermining free education and driving students toward private tuition, including for the Grade 5 scholarship. He questioned why the 2025 education allocation for Ampara District had reportedly been reduced to about half of the 2024 allocation. He urged the Education Ministry to develop a proper national plan for preschool education with qualified teachers and adequate facilities, and also highlighted shortages of school buildings, furniture, and other infrastructure affecting students.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir highlighted inadequate school infrastructure, including shortages of desks and chairs, poor toilet facilities affecting girls, and the lack of night watchmen and sanitation workers. He requested direct Government funding for these needs instead of indirect contributions from parents, and called for hygiene and female-friendly toilets to be prioritized in future school plans. He also raised concerns about Tamil and Muslim HNDE English teachers posted to Sinhala areas in Ampara District, urging resolution of language and transport difficulties and action on English teacher vacancies in Akkaraipattu and Sammanthurai. He further requested graduate appointments and internal placement policies for long-waiting graduates and teachers, and briefly responded to remarks by Hon. Dr. Archchuna concerning Islamic religious matters.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir requested an additional two minutes to continue his remarks during the debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir urged Hon. Archchuna, as an elected representative, to work cooperatively with all communities in the country. The remarks were framed as a closing appeal emphasizing inclusive public service.
Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir called for the withdrawal or revision of a previous statement, arguing that it was inaccurate or inappropriate. He began to raise an issue concerning the establishment of university colleges in six provinces, specifically referring to the situation in the Eastern Province.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna rose to a Point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was stated in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna began his speech with the Islamic invocation “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim,” meaning “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.” No substantive policy point, proposal, or question was presented in the provided text.
Religion & Culture Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna clarified that his earlier remarks reflected requests received from the public, particularly women, and were not intended as a personal position against the views of Muslim Members. He acknowledged the points made by Hon. Thahir and Hon. Hisbullah and emphasized his respect for Islam as a long-established religion.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary The member stated that no attempt had been made to change or interfere with the religion in question. He said the concerns raised were limited to the welfare of children and women.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna stated that he had not made any remarks intended to insult religion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Nalin Hewage - Deputy Minister of Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Nalin Hewage said education should be the Government’s foremost development priority and welcomed the restructuring of the portfolio and increased allocation for education. He argued that the current school system is highly unequal and proposed reorganizing it into about 5,000 well-equipped schools, one per ward, with adequate facilities and teachers, alongside periodic paid training sabbaticals for teachers. He also called for major vocational education reforms from 2026, including Grade 9 pathway guidance, improved social recognition for trades, and policies to ensure skilled workers receive dignified and viable incomes.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC
AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam urged fuller implementation of the Subodhini Salary Commission recommendations for teachers and principals, arguing that the current Budget’s three-year increments fall short and proposing that funds be reprioritized from areas such as unnecessary Ministries and Defence. He called for an end to Civil Security Department-run preschools in the Northern Province, describing them as militarization of education, and requested that all preschools be brought under the Education Ministry with comparable salaries. He also highlighted urgent Northern Province education needs, including about Rs. 2 billion for incomplete facilities and significant teacher, administrative and minor staff vacancies, and asked that a UGC promotion examination be held in Jaffna or at least Vavuniya for the convenience of affected applicants.
- The Hon. Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Harini Amarasuriya acknowledged the importance of education and thanked the Member for raising the issues. She stated that the request regarding the UGC examination had been referred to the University Grants Commission, which was due to meet the following day to seek a resolution, and undertook to keep the Member informed.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Chamindranee Kiriella briefly rose to make a request directed to the Prime Minister. The provided excerpt does not include the substance of the request.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya intervened procedurally to request that the Hon. Member be allowed to continue speaking. No substantive policy position or proposal was raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella requested the Prime Minister to consider installing a State bank ATM at the University of Peradeniya Faculty of Engineering, noting that the faculty is located some distance from the main campus and students have raised the need for the facility.
Infrastructure Full speech → - The Hon. Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary The Hon. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the request raised by the Member would be referred to the University Grants Commission.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB
AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage said the Government is increasing investment in higher education, including Rs. 135 billion for the sector, to address limited university access, curriculum and assessment reform, staffing shortages, and infrastructure gaps. He stated that Mahapola and bursary payments are proposed to be increased from April, with Rs. 4,600 million allocated, and Rs. 37,891 million set aside for university infrastructure including hostels, sanitation, and student facilities. He also said the Vice-Chancellor appointment process under the Universities Act needs depoliticization and reform, while Rs. 3,000 million has been allocated to begin addressing academic and non-academic vacancies and pay issues.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK
AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran welcomed the Budget’s focus and allocations for education but urged equitable, district-based distribution, particularly for the Vanni District. He highlighted serious shortages in school infrastructure, teachers, principals, support staff, ICT facilities, internet access, laboratories, libraries, and sanitation, citing major vacancies and defective computer stocks in Mullaitivu and Vavuniya South. He asked the Government to address teacher and staff shortages through regularizing development officers and integrating graduates, establish ICT and distance-learning centres in underserved Northern and Eastern zones, and adopt practical procedures for repairing or disposing of unusable electronic equipment.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB
AI summary Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy supported the Education Ministry allocation, citing Rs. 271 billion for eight months and outlining government plans for sports schools, preschool teacher pay increases, school infrastructure improvements, curriculum reform, and major teacher and education service recruitments from 2025. He highlighted poor sanitation and water facilities in teacher training institutions, disparities between elite and rural schools, and lower employability among graduates of Eastern and Jaffna Universities due to course-market mismatch. He also requested intervention to issue long-delayed original certificates for teacher trainees who completed training between 2010 and 2016.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda welcomed increased education allocations while urging the Government to complete implementation of teacher salary improvements linked to the Subodhini Committee recommendations. He asked that school stationery support be extended according to household need rather than school size, and sought corrective action on stalled national school initiatives. He also proposed induction training for newly appointed principals, a clearer policy on English-medium education, expedited Education Administrative Service appointments, review of university staff salary anomalies, a permanent principal for Milagiriya St. Paul’s Girls’ School, and measures to address Tamil-medium teacher shortages and vocational institute staff out-migration.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB
AI summary Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj supported the Budget’s increased education allocations, arguing that education and health should be treated as fundamental rights and highlighting measures such as learning-material grants, free footwear and uniforms, nutrition programmes, increased university stipends, Mahapola and bursaries, and Rs. 15.4 billion for TVET. She noted Rs. 2.78 billion for student loan schemes, salary increases for teachers and principals, and targeted support for children at risk of dropping out or in institutional care. As Minister of Women and Child Affairs, she emphasized gender equality in education, citing Rs. 1.4 billion for sanitary pads for schoolgirls over 13, and called for adult education for women and the integration of preschool education into the national education system with curriculum standards and teacher training pathways.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK
AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan supported the appointment of a qualified Education Minister and urged the Ministry to prioritize equitable education for poor students in difficult and very difficult areas, particularly in Batticaloa District. He highlighted shortages of teachers and technology, unsafe conditions caused by elephant intrusions near schools, and deprived conditions in areas including Vakarai, Kattumurivu and related villages. He also raised salary and seniority anomalies affecting Teacher Advisors and requested revised scales consistent with their position in the education hierarchy. On higher education, he called for university programmes to be aligned with employment opportunities and asked that the pending appointment of a competent and honest Vice-Chancellor for Eastern University be expedited.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said the Government has made education a top Budget priority, allocating Rs. 619 billion and moving to fill long-standing vacancies in teaching, principals’ posts, the Education Administrative Service, and the Teacher Educators’ Service. He argued that simply designating schools as National Schools without resources was ineffective and said the policy should be to treat all schools equitably. Addressing the teachers’ and principals’ salary anomaly, he stated that recent salary increases exceed earlier union monetary demands but do not fully resolve the structural anomaly, which the NPP policy pledges to address along with establishing a Teachers’ Council and improving the status of the teaching profession.
- The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB
AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad argued that Sri Lanka’s education system must be reformed to prepare children for future labour markets, particularly the period after 2045, rather than focusing only on current curricula or past expenditure. He highlighted past education initiatives by right-of-centre governments, defended the Opposition Leader’s “Sakwala” programme as a non-election initiative supporting ICT access and schools, and called for acknowledgement of such efforts. He urged reconsideration of the 1982 Education White Paper’s proposals, including wider scope for private and vocational education while preserving free education, and questioned the efficiency of spending in small schools compared with larger schools. He also raised concern over shortages of science and mathematics teachers at A/L level due to salary pressures.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said the Government is pursuing education reforms collectively while addressing inherited unfinished projects, corruption, and weakened institutions. She corrected the Opposition’s claim on education spending, stating that the current allocation is 1.9 per cent of GDP for the remaining eight months of the year, with a progressive target of reaching 6 per cent alongside improved system capacity. She outlined plans for public service salary increases, greater transparency in Vice-Chancellor appointments, systematic expansion of English-medium education, reform of the Grade 5 Scholarship Exam by 2028 to reduce pressure, and the development of two years of early childhood education in coordination with the relevant ministry.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary An amendment was moved at the Committee Stage of the 2025 Budget on behalf of the Minister of Finance to revise the allocations for the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education. The proposed figures were Rs. 207.2 billion for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 65.7 billion for capital expenditure.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- Hon. Members
AI summary The Committee agreed to increase the Recurrent Expenditure allocation by Rs. 207.2 billion and the Capital Expenditure allocation by Rs. 65.7 billion, and ordered both amended expenditures to stand part of the Schedule. It then recorded allocations under Head 126 for the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, including operational and development programme expenditures for recurrent and capital activities.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary An amendment was moved to Expenditure Head 126 to revise allocations for Programme 01, Operational Activities, and Programme 02, Development Activities. The proposed changes would increase recurrent expenditure by Rs. 1.2 billion and capital expenditure by Rs. 700 million to implement Budget Proposal Nos. 15, 26, 44 and 46.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- Hon. Members
AI summary The Committee agreed to the relevant votes under Head 126 and associated education-sector heads in the Schedule, including amended recurrent and capital allocations for Programmes 01 and 02. It also approved allocations for the Department of Examinations, Department of Educational Publications, University Grants Commission, and Department of Technical Education and Training, covering specified recurrent and capital expenditure.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- 6 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Development of North-Western Province as a Tourist Destination 8 speeches
- 7 Procedural Parliament Adjourned 1 speeches