Sitting of Wednesday, 9 July 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1752660241032216 ·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 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Annual Performance Reports 9 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions 7 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Digital Transformation and Education Reforms 18 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha JJB
AI summary Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha asked the Prime Minister whether the Government accepts the need for digital transformation alongside education sector reforms. He requested details on measures already taken to implement digital transformation, the expected goals, and the timeframe for achieving those objectives.
Education Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that a 30-member multi-stakeholder Task Force has been established, with Cabinet approval granted on 02.06.2025, to guide the digital transformation of education over three years. She said its objectives include addressing teacher shortages through digital tools, updating curricula, ensuring learning continuity during emergencies, improving digital literacy and online safety, strengthening ICT infrastructure, and creating a sustainable innovation framework. She also outlined ongoing measures such as providing smart boards and ICT equipment to schools, developing a National EMIS, expanding school internet connectivity by end-2026, introducing an unlimited data package, and training teachers under digital competency programmes.
Education Full speech → - Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha JJB
AI summary Asked whether training for relevant teachers has already begun as part of the digital education transformation process.
Education Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Training for in-service teachers has begun under the National Continuous Professional Development Programme. The Prime Minister stated that teacher training programmes will be reviewed and relevant modules introduced into faculties of education and B.Ed. programmes, while a special programme has been initiated to provide faculties of education with the necessary technology to support the transformation.
Education Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe asked the Prime Minister what steps the Ministry has taken under the new education reforms to integrate technical and vocational education with school education. He further requested details on any five-year plans for developing technical and vocational education, including proposed measures for teacher training and infrastructure development in the TVET sector.
Education Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Vocational education is being expanded as part of the 2025 education reforms, including a new Grades 10–11 “skills stream,” an increase of Advanced Level vocational-stream schools from 609 to 1,000, and a four-year pathway linked to NVQ Level 4 courses after school. The Prime Minister outlined teacher recruitment and training plans, curriculum modularization, annual capacity development with industry collaboration, and a TVET strategic plan to be completed by September 2025 with ADB support. She also referred to UniVOTEC-led trainer programmes, proposed Korean support for a TVET Teacher Training and Applied Research Institute, and several five-year project proposals submitted to the Department of National Planning, including infrastructure upgrades, online assessment, NAITA Centres of Excellence, and completion of the Kilinochchi hostel.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera pressed the Prime Minister to provide a delayed response to his earlier question on the India–Sri Lanka Agreement, noting that procedural rules prevent him from re-asking it. He asked why no answer had been given despite time having been taken to study the matter, and whether there was a difficulty, issue, or continuing review delaying the response.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that she had intended to respond after the day’s questions, but a related court case was pending. She said she was therefore unable to provide an answer at that time.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera sought the Speaker’s permission to respond because his name had been mentioned during the proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe noted a mismatch between existing vocational education and labour market demand for trained workers, as well as low awareness among students and parents. He welcomed the recent “Shrama Meheyuma” programme that brought together TVET institutions and asked whether it would continue, requesting that similar programmes be held at least every six months.
- Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary The Prime Minister said the skills development programme led by Deputy Minister Nalin Hevage would continue as part of education reforms aimed at preparing human capital for employment. She emphasized making vocational and skills education a respected chosen pathway rather than a fallback option, through school system changes and a wider social dialogue. She added that the President had discussed and endorsed the need to initiate this dialogue immediately.
- Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe requested the Prime Minister’s intervention to address students’ difficulties with Transport Board season tickets and small stipends. He urged measures to create a more supportive and attractive environment for students.
- Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary The Prime Minister stated that the Government would take up the proposal referred to in the debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- 5 Procedural Procedural: Points of Order on Question Time Conduct 22 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Questions to Prime Minister: Pension Disputes and FDI 11 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: National Hospital Kandy (Q.614/2025) 7 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Fish Catch, Import and Export (Q.637/2025) 18 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Ragama–Peralanda Tank Development (Q.6511/2025) 6 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: CIABOC Cases Against Politicians (Q.712/2025) 7 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: Velanai DS Division Post Office (Q.950/2025) 7 speeches
- 12 Oral question Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege 13 speeches
- 13 Procedural Procedural: Questions of Privilege and Parliamentary Conduct 18 speeches
- 14 Papers Papers: Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill 3 speeches
- 15 Procedural Procedural: Setting Sitting Hours 1 speeches
- 16 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) 146 speeches