Sitting of Wednesday, 4 June 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1750240054043973 ·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 Parliament Opening and Papers Tabling 5 speeches
- 2 Procedural Procedural Matter: Access to Hansard and Tabled Annexes 11 speeches
- 3 Papers Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports 11 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy 26 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera asked the Prime Minister to provide details of agreements signed between Sri Lanka and India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on 4–5 April 2025. He sought information on the number and subject areas of the agreements, the signatories, responsible Ministries, Attorney-General approvals, and Cabinet approvals including Cabinet Paper numbers. He also requested that copies be tabled in Parliament, arguing that this was necessary for transparency in public administration.
Foreign Affairs Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister, Bimal Rathnayake requested additional time to respond to a question raised by Ajith P. Perera. He stated that the answer would be provided at an early future sitting after obtaining information from the relevant Ministries.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera said agreements signed on 4 and 5 April 2025 had not been tabled despite repeated requests in Parliament. He argued that seeking more time to answer a question on State-to-State agreements appeared to avoid disclosure, and asked the Leader of the House to give a definite date for providing the answers.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the requested information must be gathered from several Ministries and that a correct answer would be provided on a future sitting day.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Prime Minister whether reports are correct that over 2,100 doctors and 2,500 nurses have left Sri Lanka for overseas employment in the past two years. He requested details on the number and destinations of migrating doctors, the impact on public hospitals and rural healthcare, and government measures to retain medical professionals, including salary issues and recruitment to KDU through the UGC Z-score. He also asked whether the Government has considered seeking compensation or related arrangements from countries benefiting from Sri Lanka-trained doctors, referring to a statement made by Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa in Switzerland.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary The Prime Minister answered that 135 specialist medical officers and 937 nursing officers are abroad on approved overseas leave, mainly to countries including the United Kingdom and Australia. She stated that some hospitals face shortages in paediatrics, anaesthesiology and neurology, but services are being maintained through human resource management and acting appointments for returning trained medical officers. She also clarified that public sector salary increases are governed by Public Administration Circular 10/2025, KDU medical admissions generally follow its own procedure rather than the UGC Z-score system, and no separate foreign exchange mechanism has been identified beyond requirements under Circular 14/2022 for officers abroad to deposit funds into non-resident foreign currency accounts.
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the fairness of KDU admissions where Sri Lankans applying from overseas may gain entry while local students from areas such as Ratmalana, Moratuwa, Jaffna or Galle cannot. He urged the Government to revisit the policy to expand medical training, increase the number of doctors, and retain revenue within Sri Lanka rather than sending students abroad at high cost. He also called for policy changes to position Sri Lanka as a hub, including for education and tourism.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary The Minister distinguishes between commercializing education for foreign revenue and the Government’s policy of expanding equitable, quality higher education based on student capability rather than financial capacity. She states that the current KDU Act does not allow admission of civilian students and that legislative amendments would be required. Referring to KDU’s original purpose as a military cadet training institution, she proposes developing it into an international-level military defence university through lawful amendments and investment, while ensuring it is equitable and not a burden on the Ministry of Defence.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns about admissions for civilian students in non-medical streams such as engineering, accountancy and computing. He argued that admissions should be based on the Z-score system to ensure fairness and prevent commercialization of university opportunities, questioning how engineering students would otherwise be selected and alleging that opportunities for 110,000 students had been affected.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya clarified that the Kotelawala Defence University does not admit students through the Z-score system but uses its own admissions procedure. She stated that the Act is under review to ensure the institution operates lawfully, protects equal educational opportunities, and does not place an undue burden on the Ministry of Defence.
Education Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB
AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath asked the Prime Minister whether the Government accepts the need for rapid reform of the education system to support future economic growth and national needs. He sought details on planned curriculum reforms in schools, universities and other higher education institutions, including implementation methods, timelines, expected outcomes and any obstacles to expediting the reforms.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government is pursuing reforms in both higher and general education, with an expert committee appointed to recommend changes in higher education. She said school curricula are being reviewed to meet domestic and global economic and social needs while reducing pressure on teachers and students, with legal measures and a phased rollout planned from 2026 starting with Grades 1 and 6. She added that the reforms are aligned with national education goals and the Sustainable Development Goals, and that no significant obstacles have been identified to expediting the process.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB
AI summary Danushka Ranganath asked the Prime Minister whether the Ministry has evaluated the outcomes of education reforms implemented under successive governments. He sought clarification on whether past reforms have been assessed for their success or failure.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that previous education initiatives, including subject changes and projects such as “Nearest School is the Best School,” did not amount to comprehensive reforms. She said no special study had been conducted on the success or failure of past reforms, but monitoring and evaluation would be built into the proposed reforms starting in 2026. The National Education Commission would be tasked with reviewing implementation and feeding study findings back into the reform process.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB
AI summary The Hon. Danushka Ranganath asked the Prime Minister whether the Government can assure that its proposed reforms will be effective and results-oriented, citing concerns that previous reforms were poorly implemented and had limited outcomes.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government’s education transformation programme has been developed over several years through research, surveys, consultations and public input, rejecting the view that it is a hastily copied plan. She said the programme goes beyond curriculum reform to include physical and human resource requirements, policy and legal changes, and continuous evaluation, and framed it as a Government priority for national recovery.
Education Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake asked the Prime Minister for information on the enforcement of the Prohibition of Ragging and Other Forms of Violence in Educational Institutions Act, No. 20 of 1998, amid continuing reports of ragging in universities and higher education institutions. He requested details on prosecutions and convictions during the past five years, whether studies have examined the causes of continued ragging, and what measures the Government will take to prevent such incidents.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary No prosecutions have been instituted by the 17 universities under Act No. 20 of 1998 on ragging during the past five years, while research on the issue has been conducted by the UGC Centre for Gender Equity/Equality and through academic theses. Measures underway include strengthening UGC circulars and complaint mechanisms, creating a 24/7 hotline, linking university anti-ragging task forces, and issuing a victim-centred support system circular in February 2025. Further proposed actions include offender rehabilitation, training disciplinary authorities, introducing a “Living with Diversity” module, and reforming student union governance to promote inclusivity, gender equality, and democratic representation.
- The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB
AI summary Asked whether the Ministry of Higher Education would provide counselling and related support services for students who suffer psychological and physical harm due to ragging. The question was directed to the Prime Minister in her capacity as Minister of Higher Education.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Necessary circulars have been issued to implement a victim-centred support system. The system is intended to provide counselling and other psycho-social services to victims.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB
AI summary Asked whether the Ministry will ensure that all new university entrants are informed at admission about the 1998 anti-ragging law and related procedures. He noted that little legal action appears to have been taken in recent years and that incidents tend to arise around fresh intakes.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that a Task Force has been appointed to address ragging as part of a wider issue of violence in universities, noting that it can begin before students enter university and continue beyond the first year. She said the Task Force, which includes police, university authorities and student representatives, will examine gaps in implementing existing law, propose amendments if necessary, and define services for new students.
- 5 Oral question Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms 20 speeches
- 6 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Colombo–Kankesanthurai Train Service and Tourism Promotion 5 speeches
- 7 Debate Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill — Committee Stage 3 speeches
- 8 Debate Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations 58 speeches
- 9 Adjournment Adjournment Questions: Tax Revenue and Decentralized Budget Provisions 26 speeches