Politick Parliament. On record. For every citizen.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Friday, 10 October 2025

10th Parliament· 11 debates· 177 speeches· 58 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22640 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

‹ Previous sitting Next sitting ›

Order of business

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

  8. 8 Debate Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum 15 speeches
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama JJB

      AI summary Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama moved a resolution urging the Government to integrate basic legal education into the Civic Education syllabus from Grades 6 to 11, arguing that citizens are expected to know the law despite the absence of structured legal instruction in schools. He proposed renaming Civic Education as “Law and Civic Education” under the 2026 Grade 6 reforms and strengthening legal modules without adding a separate new subject. He cited international examples and noted support from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka for including law in the school curriculum to promote legally aware and responsible citizens.

      EducationLaw & OrderJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna, Attorney-at-Law JJB

      AI summary Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna seconded the Motion and argued that public legal awareness is essential to strengthening the rule of law, noting that citizens cannot rely on ignorance of the law as a defence. He supported introducing or expanding legal education through the school curriculum, building on existing Civic Education content for Grades 10–11. He proposed that specialists determine the appropriate scope, including possible areas such as criminal law, environmental law and anti-corruption, while ensuring it does not overburden students.

      Justice & Human RightsEducation Full speech →
    • The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB

      AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper supported the Motion as a basis for broader education reform, urging that civics be taught within a wider social studies framework including history, geography, ethics, rights and responsibilities. He argued that such education should begin at the primary level and be practical rather than exam-focused, while incorporating awareness of Fundamental Rights such as freedom of expression and association under Article 14 of the Constitution. He also referenced Sri Lanka’s historical cultural ties, including with India, and said education should promote identity, belonging, and understanding of regional obligations.

      EducationEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani supported the proposal to strengthen legal education, arguing that citizens need practical knowledge of the law to build an ethical, disciplined, and law-abiding society. She stated that the 2026 education reforms will include Law within Civic Education from Grade 6, following earlier parliamentary discussions and requests by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. She outlined a grade-wise module structure from “Law for Life” in Grade 6 to “Government and the Law-abiding Citizen” in Grade 11, with compulsory modules for Grades 6-9 and optional preference-based modules for Grades 10-11, aimed at addressing issues such as child protection, violence, drugs, corruption, fraud, and environmental harm.

      Law & OrderJustice & Human RightsEducation Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB

      AI summary Ajith P. Perera sought clarification from Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama on whether the Government had already decided to include Law in the school curriculum from the following year, as stated by the previous speaker.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama JJB

      AI summary Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama stated that Law will not be introduced as a standalone school subject at present. Instead, from next year, a Law module will be incorporated into Civic Education for Grade 6 in Term 3, with similar inclusion across Grades 6 to 11.

      Education Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB

      AI summary Ajith P. Perera welcomed the Government’s agreement to add Law modules to Civic Education from the following year, noting that similar proposals had been raised in earlier Private Members’ debates. He argued that citizens need structured basic knowledge of criminal law, fundamental rights, ethics, civil law, administrative law, and constitutional law because law affects daily life and ignorance is not an excuse. He further proposed introducing Law as an optional subject for GCE O/L and A/L students, while retaining compulsory legal modules within Civic Education.

      Education Full speech →
    • The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB

      AI summary Ajith P. Perera criticized the absence of the subject Minister during discussion of a significant matter and said the Government’s position should normally be presented by the responsible Minister. He argued that legal education should be given greater priority in the school curriculum despite concerns about curriculum overload, as basic legal knowledge is necessary across professions and sectors. He noted that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka had formally submitted proposals to the relevant Ministers and called for a clear Government response.

      EducationJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB

      AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri raised a Point of Order requesting that the Minister provide an answer under the Standing Orders. He suggested that, if no answer is given, proceedings under Standing Order 25 should be considered, warning that further delay could prejudice the mover if the matter is not implemented.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne - Deputy Minister of Mass Media JJB

      AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government supports improving citizens’ practical legal knowledge, including civil and everyday law, and is considering the inclusion of Law in the school curriculum. She noted that advisory discussions had identified gaps in current legal content, while the specific scope, grade levels, and implementation details were still being finalized.

      Justice & Human RightsEducation Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama JJB

      AI summary Ruwan Mapalagama supported expanding Civic Education into “Law and Civic Education” to give students early awareness of lawful conduct, rights, and responsibilities. He argued that legal education could help children recognize and report abuse, and said it would reinforce the Government’s policy of equal application of the law. He also endorsed the proposal to offer Law as an optional subject at O/L and A/L.

      Justice & Human RightsEducation Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB

      AI summary The Prime Minister stated that legal education is already included within Civic Education, citing the Grade 6 Term 3 module and its objectives on legal awareness, responsible use of legal documents, law-abiding citizenship, and national development. She said similar modules are proposed for Grades 7 and 8, and that the Government would consider renaming the subject and introducing Law as an optional subject at O/L and A/L within ongoing education reforms.

      EducationJustice & Human Rights Full speech →