Sitting of Thursday, 24 July 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1754026625097211 ·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 Opening: Parliament met and Privilege notice 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports 9 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions: Citizens' petitions presented 5 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Apeksha Hospital Treatment and Medicines (Q.1) 6 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Fisheries Matter (Q.2) and Procedural Remarks 11 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Mount Lavinia Coastal Belt Project (Q.3) 6 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Environmental Matter (Q.4) - Stand down 3 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Kumbukkan Oya Project (Q.5) 6 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) 8 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: Foreign Graduate Appointments (Q.7) 8 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: Education Zones for Uhana and Pottuvil (Q.8) 6 speeches
- 12 Oral question Oral Question: Petroleum Storage Tanks in Cities (Q.9) 11 speeches
- 13 Oral question Oral Question: Agricultural Matter (Q.10) - Stand down 2 speeches
- 14 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Land Issues in Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya (Q. Private Notice 1) 6 speeches
- 15 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Rajya Osusala Outlet in Mannar Town (Q. Private Notice 2) 3 speeches
- 16 Procedural Procedural: Member's personal statement and Privilege matter 4 speeches
- 17 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms 16 speeches
- 18 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) 90 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath supported the proposed 2026 education reforms but urged that they be implemented equitably, noting past grievances such as standardization and unequal resource allocation affecting Tamil communities. He called for age-appropriate learning, reduced student stress, stronger vocational and employability skills, and balanced funding for national and provincial schools, including through a strengthened Provincial Council system. He also requested progress on devolution, Provincial Council elections, and the inclusion of Tamil historical narratives in the curriculum to promote mutual understanding and respect among communities.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne framed the proposed education reforms as a historic effort to move beyond Sri Lanka’s colonial education legacy while continuing the principle of free education as a State responsibility and public right. She said the National People’s Power’s reform framework was developed through consultations since 2019 and is guided by principles including equal access, relevance to development and employability, social responsibility, sustainability, innovation, and lifelong learning. She urged that the reforms be viewed as a comprehensive structural transformation, not reduced to individual subject choices, and called for resource alignment, increased education funding beyond the current Rs. 619 billion allocation, and constructive input from the Opposition, civil society, parents, teachers, and educationists.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP
AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman welcomed proposed education reforms but argued that implementation must address the historic exclusion and continuing infrastructure deficits faced by Hill Country Tamil communities, particularly in estate schools. He called for equitable resourcing, stronger provincial delivery, and withdrawal of a National Youth Services Council Gazette limiting youth clubs to one per GN division, saying it would reduce estate community representation. He also argued that housing schemes and renovation of line rooms are insufficient without secure land tenure for estate residents, and asked the Government to ensure transparency so public investment in estates is not misattributed to Regional Plantation Companies.
- The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP
AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman argued that the “Ceylon Tea” brand should not depend on exploitation and called for greater state intervention to address long-standing inequities in the plantation sector. He supported proposed education reforms but said implementation must account for plantation communities’ limited access to quality education, teacher shortages, and historical disadvantages, including by considering alternative teacher recruitment and training models. He urged the Government to implement a previously approved Cabinet decision on estate medical offices and to address the lack of drugs, doctors, and services in 456 such facilities. He also requested revival of a World Bank/ADB-supported programme that provided morning meals and repairs for plantation crèches and daycare centres serving around 22,000 children.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB
AI summary Responding to concerns about estate-sector education, the Deputy Minister said infrastructure and human-resource distribution problems exist across districts, including in estate areas, but school development decisions are made using general criteria rather than a separate “estate schools” category. He noted transport difficulties and said the Ministry consults coordination committees, including Divisional Secretaries, when deciding which schools to develop. He also stated that assistant teachers serving estate communities were intended to be absorbed into the Teacher Service within five years, but this is currently delayed due to ongoing court proceedings.
- The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP
AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman suggested that the Minister withdraw a specific Gazette that is subject to a court case due to a wording issue and issue a fresh Gazette to resolve the matter. He stated that this approach had been indicated by the Attorney-General’s Department.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB
AI summary The Minister said the Government’s planned education reforms are intended as a systemic change rather than a syllabus revision, beginning with Grade 1 in 2026 and aimed at preparing students for work and society by around 2035. She said the reforms will shift education away from an exam- and marks-centred model toward concept-centred, activity-based learning, particularly in mathematics, science and languages. She outlined the national goals of education and said the reforms will focus on communication, personal development and environmental skill sets to support national unity, democratic values, adaptability and future employment needs.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda urged the Government to implement education reforms with broad consultation, careful planning, and consensus, warning against a haphazard approach similar to what he described as failed or stalled initiatives such as Clean Sri Lanka and the animal census. He objected to making history and aesthetics elective rather than compulsory for Grades 10 and 11, called for more attention to early childhood preparation, safeguards against bias in modular teacher-led assessments, and reconsideration of extended school hours. He also raised a separate concern that the recruitment of 100 Sub Inspectors had been halted despite a relevant committee report reaching the Ministry, urging that selected youth not be denied lawful opportunities.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Ravindra Bandara
AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara supported the proposed education reforms, rejecting claims that history and aesthetics would be removed and stating they remain compulsory within the O/L framework. He argued that the reforms align with the Government’s policy to develop creative, skilled students through early childhood development, reduced exam pressure, a Grade 9 skills test, expanded vocational pathways, and new subjects such as aviation technology, sports, film studies, ICT, and data science. He said the current system fails many students before A/L and creates unhealthy competition, while noting that concerns over subject combinations remain open for discussion.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ravindra Bandara
AI summary Ravindra Bandara stated that the Government’s education policy includes introducing vocational subjects and onward learning pathways for O/L students. He said students would be able to choose fields such as construction and infrastructure, creative industries, primary industries, and manufacturing and technology, arguing that these reforms are necessary to build skills for national development.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna supported proceeding with education reforms but argued they must be based on expert consultation, national consensus, and a formal policy document such as a White Paper, rather than a party manifesto. She said the current proposals appear focused mainly on curriculum reform and lack detail on other pillars such as assessment, human resources, infrastructure, administration and communication. She urged the Government to use previous reform work and remaining ADB funds, publish the relevant documents, update syllabi regularly, reduce examination pressure, and incorporate 21st-century competencies including literacy, critical thinking, collaboration, ethics, citizenship and self-directed learning.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB
AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe defended the proposed education reforms as a preliminary parliamentary process, stating that history and aesthetics would remain part of learning and clarifying the proposed credit allocations for core subjects. He said the reforms aim to create parallel academic and vocational pathways up to higher education, supported by five pillars including curriculum, teacher development, infrastructure, administration and assessment. He outlined plans for an Education Council to set professional standards, registration and licensing for educators across government, private, international and tuition sectors, while saying implementation would follow a defined timeline rather than immediate compulsory licensing. He also said early childhood centres would receive Ministry guidelines and that a concept paper on the reforms would be presented.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda raised a point of order during the proceedings. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was stated in the provided speech excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Chanaka Madugoda referred to a challenge to raise any allegations of corruption and indicated that, if given the opportunity, he would do so. The intervention appears to signal an intention to present or discuss corruption-related claims in the debate.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Chanaka Madugoda sought time to respond after stating that another member had challenged the House. He began referring to events from 2008, specifically the period when the other member was serving in the Provincial Council, suggesting he intended to address or rebut claims connected to that period.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Chanaka Madugoda referred to an incident in which an individual was found guilty on 11 counts. The extract provided is too limited to identify the person, context, or any specific argument, proposal, or demand made in the speech.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda briefly responded to a challenge to provide proof, stating that he was prepared to table the relevant material in Parliament. The intervention indicates a procedural willingness to submit evidence to support his position.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva asked for his allocated ten minutes to be respected and sought permission from the Deputy Chairperson of Committees to proceed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB
AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe requested one minute to clarify an allegation that he said was being reported in the media. The intervention was procedural and sought permission from the Chair to address the matter briefly.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda clarified that he had not made the allegation being referred to. The remark appears to be a brief procedural correction or denial in response to a claim attributed to him.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB
AI summary The Chair instructed Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe to take his seat. No substantive policy argument, proposal, or question was made in this intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda made a brief procedural intervention challenging another member’s authority to direct proceedings, stating that the member was not the Chair and should sit down. No substantive policy issue or proposal was raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB
AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe responded to allegations about his employment record, stating that he was dismissed in 2009 under Mahinda Rajapaksa on politically motivated and false charges. He said he was later cleared of all charges and released from service in 2015 by the Governor, and noted that parliamentary law permits trade union leaders to be released from their posts for union duties.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB
AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena moved that Hon. Chanaka Madugoda take the Chair during proceedings. The motion was put to the House and agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Chanaka Madugoda assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva expressed support for the Government’s proposed education reforms, noting that many elements build on earlier reform efforts, including proposals from 1981 and subsequent initiatives. He urged broad consultation across the five pillars of reform, careful preparation, and safeguards to avoid past failures caused by rushed implementation or politicization. He also emphasized the need to design the education framework for future labour-market demands, including changes driven by artificial intelligence.
- The Hon. Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. Harsha de Silva argued that education reform should update curricula to equip children with skills needed for a competitive global economy, including adaptability, technology proficiency, problem-solving, collaboration, leadership, creativity and emotional intelligence. He emphasized the importance of English-medium capacity as a bridge to global opportunities and to reduce disparities between rural and elite urban schools, while stating that Sinhala and Tamil should not be neglected. He supported advancing the proposed education reforms but called for broader dialogue and inclusion, and added that technology and AI learning should be balanced with appreciation of arts and music.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised the issue of around 250 education graduates from the Universities of Colombo and Peradeniya and the Open University who have not received teacher appointments for nearly two years. He noted that three cohorts remain unappointed despite having state university qualifications and teacher training amid teacher shortages, and asked why appointments are being delayed citing a Cabinet decision. He requested that the Government take steps to resolve the matter.
- The Hon. Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education JJB
AI summary Recruitment of teachers has not been halted by a Cabinet decision; Cabinet has approved recruitment based on existing vacancies. However, three court cases have resulted in a stay on issuing teacher appointments, so recruitment cannot proceed until the legal process concludes. The Minister stated that the Government is also moving to fill many positions that had remained vacant for five years.
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa began to pose a question to the Prime Minister, but the provided excerpt contains no substantive content beyond the opening phrase.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa requested the Prime Minister to ensure that pending appointments are issued immediately once any legal or judicial obstacles are cleared.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education JJB
AI summary Cabinet approval has already been granted for the matter raised, and the Government is working with the Attorney-General’s Department to respond to related court proceedings. Harini Amarasuriya stated that no special request is therefore required and thanked the Leader of the Opposition for raising the issue.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB
AI summary The Minister argued that the Government’s education reform agenda is based on a policy process developed through public consultation since 2018 and reflected in the NPP policy document “A Prosperous Country - A Beautiful Life,” rather than being an ad hoc proposal. He said the reforms aim to ensure 13 years of schooling by integrating structured vocational education into the school curriculum, noting high dropout rates before O/L and limited progression to university. He also highlighted the need to address disparities among schools, particularly in remote areas with shortages of teachers and limited capacity to provide quality education.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB
AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka urged members across Government and Opposition, regardless of language or religion, to support the proposed education reforms as a generational responsibility. He framed the reforms as necessary for positive social transformation and for securing a better future for children.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB
AI summary J.C. Alawathuwala supported education reform, arguing that Sri Lanka must adapt pedagogy and technology to global trends while building on past reforms from C.W.W. Kannangara and subsequent education ministers. He emphasized the need for equitable access to new technologies, better teacher training, and improved management of human resources to raise standards despite limited material resources. He cautioned that school consolidation must be studied carefully, especially for small rural primary schools, and linked unequal resource distribution to pressure around the Grade 5 Scholarship Exam. He called for increased education funding, noting that the proposed 6 per cent budget allocation had not been achieved, and urged a move away from an exam-centred system.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB
AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala argued that if 13 years of schooling is to be compulsory, students should not be prevented from entering Grades 12 and 13 solely for failing O/L Mathematics or other subjects. He requested that the proposed education reforms, including revised subject streams, be implemented for about a year and then reviewed through the Sectoral Oversight Committee, given the absence of a pilot project and the need for wider public discussion.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB
AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy argued that education reform should go beyond curriculum changes to create a humane, values-based, multilingual system with improved infrastructure, trained human resources, employability pathways and reduced examination pressure. He highlighted low Grade 3 literacy and numeracy levels in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, calling for special attention to Tamil students and vocational training options for students unable to pass O/L examinations. He also raised concerns about language barriers in public services, inequitable school resources, and teacher transfer practices in the North and East, urging reforms to address staffing, district-level teacher cadres and basic facilities.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Ramanathan Archchuna invoked Black July and alleged continuing marginalisation of Tamil people, including through language access in Parliament and incomplete implementation of the 13th Amendment on devolution. He criticised government activity in Jaffna around the anniversary, argued that Provincial Councils were intended to manage areas such as education, agriculture and health, and said successive governments had failed to fully implement these powers. He also raised concerns about District Coordinating Committee procedures, citing a 2022 circular that limits National List MPs’ roles, and asked the Prime Minister to establish basic qualifications for ministerial and committee leadership appointments.
- The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB
AI summary Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy rose on a Point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question is recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB
AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy stated that the District Coordinating Committee Chair is appointed by the President and said that this appointment cannot be questioned in the chamber. He cautioned that confusing remarks on the matter could introduce incorrect information into the debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasinghe said the Government’s education reforms, led by the Prime Minister as Education Minister, are intended to begin tangible changes in 2026 through child-centred curricula linked to national development, heritage, technology, inclusion, and equal opportunity. She argued that past reforms failed because the State withdrew from its responsibility, reduced funding, allowed politicized or private interference in schools, and lacked a national policy. She clarified that schools with fewer than 50 students would not be closed indiscriminately, but assessed using data and, where appropriate, improved, consolidated, or repurposed for educational and vocational use, while preventing misuse of State assets by politicians. She also called for moving beyond rote learning toward practical, life-skills-based and vocationally linked education, citing initiatives such as school “Travel Clubs” connected to tourism education.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Upali Samarasingha - Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development JJB
AI summary Upali Samarasingha moved that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha take the Chair as the presiding member.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne formally seconded the motion under consideration. The House then put the question and agreed to it, after which the presiding Member changed from Hon. Chanaka Madugoda to Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir supported education reform while cautioning that it should not focus only on credentials, but should produce disciplined, culturally grounded students with proficiency in all three languages. He argued that curricula should be better aligned with local and overseas job-market needs. He also called for reforms affecting teachers, including merit-based recruitment, stronger training, better pay and improved working conditions to enhance teaching quality and student outcomes.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB
AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the proposed education reforms, arguing that they are needed to reduce students’ physical and academic burden, improve classroom learning, and better prepare students for national and global opportunities. He said implementation would begin in 2026 with Grades 1 and 6, based on five pillars: curriculum development, human resource development, infrastructure and administration reform, assessment and evaluation, and public awareness. He emphasized improving science, technology, civics, equity, English language skills, communication among school communities, and transparency, and called for broad support for the reforms.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed
AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed supported the debate on new education reforms while stressing that equal access to education requires fair distribution of teachers, facilities and infrastructure, particularly in the Northern Province. He said the war and continuing resource disparities had weakened Northern schools, with some lacking computers, teacher accommodation and effective transfer arrangements, while local teacher graduates are posted elsewhere. He requested the Education Minister to restart and complete six stalled school development projects in Vavuniya and Mannar, noting that unfinished foundation excavations pose risks to students and that public funds had already been allocated.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake said education reform should be treated as a long-term national project shaping Sri Lanka’s society and workforce by 2050, and therefore must proceed through broad consultation rather than as a finalized proposal imposed on Parliament. He argued that a White Paper or framework should be debated widely, including beyond Parliament, because issues such as school structures, cultural and religious education, and subject combinations affect all communities and families. He proposed that all children learn the core values of the main religions to promote mutual respect, and cited the need for flexible subject combinations such as Combined Mathematics with Biology to meet modern industry requirements.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah noted that education reform in Sri Lanka has been under discussion for many years and said the current reform process follows nearly six years of continuous work by educationists, experts, scholars, and former Education Ministers. He framed the debate as the outcome of sustained consultation and preparation on national education policy.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC
AI summary Commending the Education Minister’s planned education reforms for implementation by January 2026, Hon. Hizbullah urged cross-party support and adequate facilities for schools. He highlighted the prevalence of small schools with fewer than 200 students and called for urgent action to fill principal vacancies, particularly in the Eastern Province, including implementing allowances to attract qualified administrators. He also requested that university curricula and teaching methods, including outdated IT degree syllabuses, be modernized alongside school reforms.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB
AI summary Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran supported the Government’s proposed education reforms, including vocational education from Grade 9, module-based assessments with credits, and changes to the school timetable to reduce pressure on students. He argued that the reforms would address inequalities in teacher availability, facilities, subject choices, and rural access, particularly in areas such as Vanni where students and teachers face long travel distances. He said the changes aim to improve career pathways, educational equity, and preparation for 21st-century national development.
- The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK
AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan supported education reform but urged that it address past shortcomings by promoting sustainable development, national unity, moral values, employability, and stronger technical, scientific and mathematical education. He called for equitable teacher allocation, especially for difficult schools in Batticaloa’s Paduvankarai areas, and emphasized shortages in mathematics, science, IT and vocational subjects that limit students’ subject choices. He also proposed stronger qualifications and training for preschool teachers, reconsideration of the Grade 5 scholarship exam, prompt recruitment of B.Ed. graduates without additional diploma requirements, and swift release of O/L re-correction results. He stressed that reforms should be practical and ensure students leave school with vocational skills as well as certificates.
- The Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama JJB
AI summary Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama supported the government’s education reforms, describing them as a major shift that will be phased in from 2026 for Grades 1 and 6 and later for Grade 10 students. He said the reforms would move beyond exam-centred education, introduce a Grade 9 National Competency Assessment, guarantee education up to Grade 13, and ensure students complete schooling with at least NVQ Level 4 pathways. He highlighted new curriculum areas, inclusive and non-formal education, and clarified that History would remain compulsory up to Grade 11, rejecting claims that it was being removed.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB
AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva stated that education reforms should ensure inclusive education for children with disabilities by providing appropriate supports such as Braille, physical access, sign language, and early identification with tailored learning for children with intellectual disabilities. He said the Ministry of Education has incorporated these measures into the reform agenda to ensure equal access to classrooms, assessments, and extracurricular activities. He emphasized that the reforms should cover special, non-formal, and inclusive education, with adequate commitment and funding, enabling persons with disabilities to become skilled and dignified contributors to national development.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC
AI summary M.S. Abthul Wazeeth urged the establishment of a separate zonal education office for Pothuvil, arguing that the current allocation of Muslim, Tamil and Sinhala schools to different zones amounts to ethnic segregation and undermines unity. He requested appointments for trained preschool teachers, long-pending appointments for Maulavis, and faster action on proposed South Eastern University tourism and Open University branches in Pothuvil. He also called for urgent measures against coastal erosion in Hidayapuram and for consultation with coastal small traders in Maruthamunai before the Coast Conservation Department removes temporary business structures.
- The Hon. Nalin Hewage - Deputy Minister of Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Nalin Hewage supported the proposed education reforms as a means of strengthening Sri Lanka’s human capital, arguing that the country must compensate for limited physical resources by developing integrated, skilled citizens through education combining science, technology, humanities and arts. He highlighted that only about 40,000 of 300,000 annual Grade 1 entrants reach university, and said vocational education should be brought into schools, modernized, and made attractive to create dignified employment and increase skilled remittances. He also called for the Ocean University, under his Ministry, to be strengthened so that Sri Lanka can develop expertise to use marine resources for national development.
- The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Rauff Hakeem supported the need for education reform and welcomed key academic appointments, but called for clarity on reported changes to History, Aesthetics, and a proposed Religion and Ethics curriculum allegedly affected by outside pressure. He asked the Government to publish a White Paper, acknowledge prior work by former officials and contributors, and ensure module reviews are handled by independent experts rather than the original authors or non-specialist ministry officials. He also raised constituency and infrastructure concerns, including stalled school facilities in Nawalapitiya and landslide-affected school buildings in several provinces, requesting funding through climate-resilient infrastructure programmes. On higher education, he urged reconsideration of objections to private medical education, citing foreign exchange outflows and international practice, and proposed positioning Sri Lanka as a higher education destination.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya said the education reforms are part of a long national reform discourse and stressed that the priority is implementation, citing teacher misallocation, 20,755 student dropouts in 2024, and 80,591 irregular attendees. She outlined preparations for curriculum, teacher development, digital readiness, infrastructure, examinations, and public awareness, with Grades 1 and 6 to begin under the reforms in 2026 and a national assessment framework being developed. She rejected claims that a finalized White Paper was being withheld or that NIE modules were arbitrarily altered, stating that the Ministry, NIE, Department of Examinations, advisory bodies, provinces, and parliamentary committees would continue to work together with opportunities for further debate and consultation.
Education Full speech →