Sitting of Thursday, 22 January 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23203 ·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 Procedural Procedural: Point of Order - Constitutional Council Ruling 1 speeches
- 3 Debate Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Motion 1 speeches
- 4 Papers Papers: Sectoral Oversight Committee Report on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources 2 speeches
- 5 Petitions Petitions Presented 5 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Kantale Hospital Facilities (Supplementary) 1 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Disabled Students Studying at State Universities - Facilities (Q. 1323/2025) 1 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question Supplementary: Disabled Students at State Universities 1 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Officers of Sri Lanka Principals' Service - Details (Q. 1348/2025) 1 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question Reply: Officers of Sri Lanka Principals' Service 1 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: Buildings Housing NAITA District Office and Training Centres of Trincomalee - Lease (Q. 1555/2025) 5 speeches
- 12 Oral question Oral Question: Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturing Plants Regulation 6 speeches
- 13 Oral question Oral Question: Cashew Corporation - Establishment, Objectives and Operations 6 speeches
- 14 Oral question Oral Question: Lonach Dairy Farm - Environmental Compliance and Waste Disposal 6 speeches
- 15 Oral question Oral Question: Housing Projects Implemented by NHDA - Details and Transparency 6 speeches
- 16 Oral question Oral Question: Sathosa Store Building - Construction and Maintenance 2 speeches
- 17 Oral question Oral Question: Land Provided for Middle-Income Housing Programme 2 speeches
- 18 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Employees' Provident Fund Gratuity to Pension Scheme (Standing Order 27(2)) 3 speeches
- 19 Debate Ministerial Statement: Death of Kuganeshan Dinoja from Silawatta, Mullaitivu 4 speeches
- 20 Procedural Procedural: Privilege Question and Motion on Sittings of Parliament 2 speeches
- 21 Procedural Procedural: Privilege Motion referral 3 speeches
- 22 Procedural Bill Introduction: UNV Foundation Incorporation Bill 2 speeches
- 23 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Comprehensive Educational Transformation Process 76 speeches
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake — Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and Leader of the House of Parliament
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, as Leader of the House, moved the adjournment of Parliament. The motion was formally proposed by the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB
AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha supported the Ministry of Education’s proposed transformation of general education from 2026, arguing that Sri Lanka’s current exam-centric and outdated system does not meet national, social, or economic needs and has deep resource disparities. He called for reforms covering curriculum, teaching methods, technology, human and physical resources, school management, administration, community participation, and assessment methods. He urged Parliament to counter misinformation about the reforms and unite behind an education system focused on lifelong learning, innovation, equity, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Education Full speech → - Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha seconded the proposal and emphasized human development as a key pillar of the Government’s reform agenda, stating that education reforms were shaped through broad consultations and must continue through informed debate. She focused on teacher development, noting that teacher education curricula have not been updated for 16 years and calling for modernization, digital and smart-classroom training, improved facilities, and psychosocial support. She cited several 2026 Budget allocations for teacher colleges, the NIE, technology education, facilities, and capacity development, and urged critics to engage constructively rather than spread personal attacks against the Prime Minister and Education Minister.
- The Deputy Speaker
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman was recognized by the Deputy Speaker and allotted 14 minutes to speak. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or argument was presented in this excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman said the SJB supports education reforms and a technology-integrated, student-centred curriculum, but argued that the Grade 6 rollout should not proceed until practical deficiencies are addressed. He cited the President’s postponement to 2027, pointing to content errors, incomplete teacher training, teacher vacancies, lack of teachers’ guides, and inadequate smart boards, devices, and internet connectivity, particularly in disadvantaged schools. He questioned how students would learn in the first term if equipment was only expected later, called for accountability over Rs. 5,000 million already spent and issues noted by the Auditor General regarding the reform roadmap, and urged equitable preparation before implementation.
- Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe argued that Sri Lanka’s free education system needs modernization to align with economic needs and technology, while rejecting claims that reforms would increase inequity. He said the Government is working to professionalize education personnel through measures such as the nearly completed Teacher Council and is reassessing around 10,000 schools, particularly those with low enrolment, poor facilities, or disaster-related needs. He stated that reforms have not been halted but are being corrected and continued as part of national renewal.
Education Full speech → - Hon. Sajith Premadasa — Leader of the Opposition
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa argued that proposed education reforms lack the proper Westminster-style process of Green and White Papers, public consultation, and detailed planning. He said the reforms do not adequately address structural issues such as examinations, school disparities, teacher training, resources, administration, and technology readiness, and warned against reforms benefiting elite schools while burdening parents and undermining free education. He called for equitable, modernized reforms that include early ICT education, emerging technologies, and recognition of free education as a fundamental right.
- The Deputy Speaker
AI summary The Deputy Speaker informed Hon. Sajith Premadasa that his allotted speaking time had expired.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB
AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera argued that education reform is needed to move away from exam-centred, teacher-centred and theory-heavy practices toward producing 21st-century citizens with learning, literacy, life, character and citizenship skills. He outlined Grade 6–9 curriculum reforms comprising 14 modules and about 35 credits, including languages, ICT, information literacy, AI-related data analysis, entrepreneurship and financial literacy, electives and transversal skills. He also stated that an inappropriate web link in reform materials had been acknowledged, removed and corrected, and said the reforms aim to align learning with global needs.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB
AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera criticized the Opposition’s handling of discussions on the stone industry, saying claims about the absence of history or aesthetic value were not based on genuine intellectual debate. He supported the inclusion of transversal skill subjects such as literature appreciation from Grade 6, media studies, service sector studies, and global studies, arguing that these should not be rejected. He expressed disappointment, drawing on his experience as a former principal and teacher, at what he described as opposition-led campaigns against these education-related proposals.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB
AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera concluded by endorsing the Prime Minister’s stated education reform objectives, quoting her remarks in The Island on 20 January 2026. He expressed confidence that, as Minister of Education, she would implement reforms aimed at producing intelligent, civic-minded citizens who uphold democratic values and live dignified lives.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB
AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi ceded his remaining speaking time to Hon. O.S.B. Kaviratne, MP, without making substantive remarks on the matter under debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB
AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi said education reform is necessary but must be carried out transparently, with expert input and proper public awareness, noting that even the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee had not been briefed. He questioned the Government’s handling of the Grade 6 English module controversy, alleging that the inclusion of an inappropriate website reference was not accidental and urging that it not be dismissed as a minor error. He also linked the need for reform to structural problems in access to science and mathematics education, graduate unemployment and skills mismatches, while warning against reforms that could harm children’s education and public trust.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB
AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi criticized the Government’s handling of proposed education reforms, alleging they were advanced for political purposes rather than children’s needs and without adequate consultation with the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education. He said prior committee processes could have identified issues such as the “Grade 6 error,” and urged the Government not to mislead the public. He stated that the Opposition would support further work in the committee to develop non-partisan education policy.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister argued that the proposed education reforms are the result of long-standing discussions rather than a new NPP initiative, and said reforms are necessary to reduce pressure on children, address school disparities, and expand equitable access to subjects such as science for rural students. He criticized past governments and the Opposition for failing to improve education over decades while now questioning school facilities and reform preparedness, noting that concept papers had been publicized and MPs briefed. Citing rising school dropout figures from 2019 to 2024, he said implementation should proceed while identifying and correcting shortcomings, with government responsibility for improving infrastructure, technology access, and fair opportunities for all children.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK
AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan supported education reforms but urged that they be undertaken carefully to avoid repeating past discriminatory or flawed policies affecting Tamil-medium students. He called for equal opportunities for Sinhala- and Tamil-medium learners, greater engagement of qualified Tamil-speaking academics and Hindu scholarly institutions in curriculum and religious content, and stronger proofreading and review of Tamil-medium textbooks. He also proposed government responsibility for preschool teacher training and supervision, and emphasized science, technology, research, ICT, mathematics, and vocational education, particularly in disadvantaged and estate-sector schools, to improve employability and develop knowledge, attitudes, skills and practice.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe argued that Sri Lanka requires a comprehensive education transformation, not merely curriculum changes, citing the need to develop practical skills, critical thinking and global competitiveness. He outlined key features of the proposed reforms, including five pillars, transversal skills, new skills-oriented upper secondary pathways, and a National Skills Assessment at Grade 9 to identify student aptitudes beyond rote learning. He said the Government had accepted some concerns, including those raised by trade unions, and decided at Cabinet on 12 January to defer Grade 6 curriculum changes to the following year. He rejected Opposition allegations about “vulgarization” and other claims related to the reforms, asserting that similar textbook content had existed since 2015, and said the Government would continue with the reform agenda despite criticism.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Chanaka Madugoda said the SLPP supports the need for reforms but wants the deferred reform package strengthened and presented with broader consensus. He alleged procedural irregularities in a Ministry of Defence tender for dry rations for the Tri-Forces, claiming the lowest bidder was removed in favour of higher bidders despite procurement committee findings, and urged authorities to stop the agreement while tabling related documents. He also requested action on delayed state-to-state employment arrangements for Sri Lankans seeking agricultural and other jobs in Israel, and asked that 60 pupils from Elpitiya Saranankara Primary School be admitted to Elpitiya Ananda Vidyalaya under the existing cluster school arrangement.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB
AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe defended the Government’s education reforms, arguing that the Opposition was spreading misinformation by linking curriculum changes to religion, sexuality and other political claims. He said starting ICT at Grade 6 was consistent with Sri Lanka’s educational structure, infrastructure limitations and international practice, and noted that primary education should focus on literacy, numeracy and languages. He also said the Government was addressing teacher recruitment, infrastructure and pension entitlements, while investigating whether alleged problematic curriculum material was an isolated lapse or politically motivated.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara said the Opposition had cooperated on education reforms but questioned the legitimacy of the 2024–2025 proposals, claiming earlier 2020–2024 reform documents lacked the Prime Minister’s signature. He alleged Rs. 483 million had been wasted at the National Institute of Education and called for an examination of those involved. He also criticized the President’s remarks in Jaffna in relation to Buddhism and northern issues, and demanded that Hon. Sritharan resign from the Constitutional Council, alleging he had supported Government appointments while representing small Opposition parties and faced conflict-of-interest and corruption-related allegations.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB
AI summary The Minister defended the current education reforms as a long-discussed, transformative effort to strengthen public education, contrasting them with earlier proposals he said promoted privatization and shifted costs to parents. He rejected claims that the reforms lack substance, citing the Ministry’s published trilingual document setting out objectives and components, and emphasized national goals including cultural heritage, unity, and learner development. He acknowledged errors in two pages of an English module and said they must be corrected with disciplinary action where appropriate, but argued this should not be used to discredit the entire reform process. He said implementation must proceed alongside infrastructure and human resource improvements, noting a Rs. 17 billion allocation and the need to move beyond exam-centred rote learning.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB
AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka said the Ministry should investigate schools that had asked parents to purchase smart boards without official instruction and take action against responsible principals. He defended the inclusion of ICT and education reforms despite infrastructure gaps, noting that ICT textbooks date back to 2015 and that funds have been allocated to provide smart boards to about 1,600 schools by March, with the aim of supplying at least one digital device to every school. He rejected claims that the reforms would depart from Commonwealth standards, stating that 13 years of schooling, O/L and A/L national examinations, and the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework would remain intact. He said the reforms reflect National People’s Power policy, including grade restructuring, a Grade 9 skills test, and stronger links between general and vocational education for students leaving school without qualifications.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri cited an Auditor General communication to the National Institute of Education alleging failures in preparing Grade 1 and Grade 6 curriculum modules, including inconsistent module counts, lack of central coordination, missing technical verification, approvals, and ISBNs, linking these to errors in textbooks. He accused the Government of dismissing opposition claims as false while delaying corrective action, and questioned why related education reform matters were being debated while the Prime Minister and Education Minister was overseas. He said the Opposition was not against education reform but opposed using reforms, textbooks, or online materials to advance political agendas or introduce content he argued was culturally and religiously inappropriate for schoolchildren.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri concluded his remarks with a metaphorical criticism of certain political actors, suggesting they present themselves as brave while concealing their true nature. No specific policy proposal, question, or legislative matter was raised in this excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB
AI summary The Minister said audit reports referred to earlier conditions and should not be used to claim that current reform preparations remain incomplete. He stated that, although the relevant work was not ready at the time covered by the audit, 94 modules are now being printed for the second term, with a further 188 to follow, and urged Members to be cautious in making allegations.
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri raised a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was stated in the recorded excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB
AI summary Dr. Susil Ranasinghe defended the Government’s education reforms, arguing that opposition parties were using protests, audit references, and claims about Grade 6 Civic Education materials to create fear among parents rather than engaging with the substance of the reforms. He said the reforms are needed to reduce the pressure of an exam-centric system, improve learning methods, infrastructure and human resources, and support broader skills development. He also challenged the Opposition to proceed with threatened no-confidence motions, including against the Prime Minister, and said the Government would continue explaining and implementing the reform programme.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB
AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka moved that Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Wijerathna assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB
AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad argued that proposed education reforms are being implemented hastily and should be assessed by whether they strengthen national harmony, preserve History as a compulsory subject, improve access to higher education, and reduce reliance on tuition. He questioned the suitability of module-based assessment for some subjects, raised concerns about textbooks, teacher training, science-stream access, BEd and pirivena issues, examination delays, and result formats needed for foreign university admission. He called for reforms that expand university pathways beyond the small share entering State universities, improve school resources, support additional language learning, and avoid portraying critics as opponents of free education.
- The Hon. Najith Indika JJB
AI summary Hon. Najith Indika supported the Government’s decision to allow more time for discussion on education reforms, arguing that doubts should be addressed so the reforms can proceed with broader public confidence. He said investigations are under way into the English module web-link issue and tabled documents to reject Opposition claims about the Dharma Chakra depiction and other textbook content. He criticized the SJB’s approach as shifting from substantive debate to allegations about religion, sexuality and attacks on the Prime Minister/Education Minister, and challenged them to proceed with any no-confidence motion. He stated that the Government remains committed to developing human and physical resources through reforms aimed at producing rational, evidence-based citizens.
- The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe criticized the Government’s reversal of Grade 6 curriculum reforms, alleging inadequate consultation, poor module preparation, and a loss of over Rs. 800 million on printed books to be withdrawn. He questioned the suitability of certain content for schoolchildren, called for accountability from the Education Minister, and argued that budget reductions in education undermine reform implementation. He also listed several policy reversals by the Government, contending that decisions are being changed in response to public or social media pressure rather than through consistent governance.
- The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB
AI summary Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran supported the proposed education reforms, emphasizing the introduction of vocational education pathways from Grade 9 to address the large number of students who leave school without passing the G.C.E. O/L or gaining employable skills. He said vocational labs in schools would help students secure better future opportunities, while acknowledging that implementation shortcomings should be identified and corrected constructively. He criticized the Opposition for focusing on isolated issues, including an error in the Grade 6 English module, and argued that such criticism had created unnecessary confusion among parents and students.
Education Full speech → - Hon. Mylvaganam Jegadeeswaran JJB
AI summary Hon. Mylvaganam Jegadeeswaran condemned disparaging and vulgar remarks directed at women MPs, particularly Prime Minister and Education Minister Hon. Harini Amarasuriya, and urged Members to avoid degrading language in Parliament. He said education in the Northern Province has been seriously affected by improper teacher transfers for 2025 and 2026, with districts such as Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya losing many teachers without replacements, leaving Advanced Level students without subject teachers. He proposed reforming the transfer policy and applying district-based cut-off marks in graduate teacher recruitment so teachers are appointed to vacancies within their own districts, especially in war-affected areas with resource shortages.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB
AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof said the Opposition supports education reform in principle but argued that the current reform process lacks clarity, consultation, and public confidence. He criticized the Government for focusing on political attacks rather than explaining the reform’s substance, and called for meaningful engagement with education experts and parliamentary committees. He raised concerns about inadequate infrastructure for technology-based education, including smart classrooms, devices, and facilities in districts such as Trincomalee. He urged cross-party cooperation to revise the reform, address its deficiencies, and implement a credible education plan.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported the adjournment motion on education reform, arguing that reform is needed to expand access for rural and low-income children to teachers, updated curricula, science and technology subjects, vocational education, English, skills and soft skills. She said current education burdens families, contributes to stress and exclusion, and fails to address educated unemployment, while the Ministry’s Concept Note provides a basis for structured debate. She also condemned Opposition rhetoric directed at the Prime Minister, particularly gendered and personal attacks, and challenged the Opposition to table its proposed no-confidence motion if it intends to proceed.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa moved that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasinghe take the Chair. The House agreed to the motion, after which Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna vacated the Chair and Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasinghe assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah supported the proposed education reforms and commended the Prime Minister for pursuing them, arguing that Sri Lanka’s school and university syllabi are outdated and should be modernized without delay. He said objections were limited to sexuality and same-sex content on religious and cultural grounds, and urged removal or revision of those lessons rather than postponement of the entire reform. He also called for expanded higher education access through regulated non-State universities, with national policy, strict accreditation, foreign and public-private partnerships, student protections, scholarships, and stakeholder consultation to safeguard quality.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa – Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip
AI summary Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa defended the Government’s Grade 6 education reforms, arguing that Opposition parties publicly protested against the modules while claiming in Parliament not to oppose reform. He accused Opposition figures of spreading misinformation, including allegations about sexuality, religious symbols, and the Dhamma Chakra, and said these claims were intended to provoke public and religious sentiment. He urged parents to support the modules, which he said aim to build 21st-century skills such as technology, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and ICT, while allowing genuine errors to be corrected.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir
AI summary Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir supported education reform in principle but urged the Government to correct errors in the Grade 6 component during its one-year postponement and to base reforms on consultation with parents, students, teachers, principals, education officials and specialists. He highlighted around 500 teacher vacancies in the Puttalam Education Zone, shortages in key subjects, inadequate resources in schools serving displaced Northern Province families, and broader infrastructure needs. He requested that the Puttalam Education Zone be divided into two zones aligned with Kalpitiya and Madurankuliya, and tabled a letter to that effect. He also acknowledged the Prime Minister’s visit to Puttalam and called for a non-partisan approach to implementing reforms for all students.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Nalin Hewage – Deputy Minister of Vocational Education
AI summary Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage defended the Government’s education reforms, arguing they are overdue and necessary to reduce burdens on children and parents and to produce more creative and capable students. He accused the Opposition of creating public doubt, using religion-related claims such as the Dharmachakra issue, and threatening a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister to obstruct the reform process. He said syllabus revision was due after the 2015 changes and that any minor errors should be corrected while proceeding, adding that education spending had risen from 1.8 per cent to 2.04 per cent of GDP under the Government.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK
AI summary Dr. Elayathamby Srinath supported education reform but argued that implementation must first address infrastructure gaps, teacher shortages, and unequal resources, particularly in rural, hardship, and war-affected schools in the North and East. He said reforms should reduce student stress, align school and tertiary education with labour-market needs, and help graduates find employment locally and abroad. He called for clear regional implementation plans and the meaningful inclusion of Tamil history, traditions, and equal representation in curricula to ensure reforms benefit every child.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK
AI summary Urged that reforms be implemented equitably so they benefit students across all regions.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake – Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and Leader of the House of Parliament
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake defended the Government’s education reforms, saying they stem from a long NPP policy process, public mandate, and work by education institutions, and that the Government is obliged to implement them while correcting practical errors. He acknowledged shortcomings in the Grade 6 module and said disciplinary and oversight action had begun, but argued that this should not justify halting the wider reform programme. He said Cabinet paused only the Grade 6 component due to parental anxiety and agitation, which he attributed to Opposition and media campaigns, while rejecting claims that the reforms are World Bank-funded, require paid textbooks, or impose paid QR-code access.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna said the Opposition supports education reforms if they are transparent, consultative, and led by experts, but argued that the Government failed to publish key documents such as a White Paper, concept papers, modules, aims, and implementation pathways. She alleged that the National Education Commission and reform process had been politicized through appointments of government allies, and that the Ministry had bypassed the National Institute of Education, undermining implementation. She also stated that the current reforms build on earlier proposals by officials such as Upali Sedere and Sunil Jayantha Navaratne, but had since been altered through processes that should be further scrutinized.
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticized shortcomings at the National Institute of Education, arguing that education reforms require trained personnel, filled vacancies, updated expertise, and exposure to international practices. She said the disputed module is only one small part of wider reforms covering curriculum, human resources, infrastructure and administration, assessment, and public awareness, and objected to what she described as inaccurate public claims about the use of the word “buddy” and related website references. She questioned the process used to select module writers and resource persons, saying it should have involved a systematic national search, proper training, proofreading, editorial and academic review, and adherence to an education policy framework.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Madhura Senevirathna argued that the current education reforms are a historically significant structural transformation, comparable to the Kannangara reforms of 1943, and are based on equity, equal access, sustainability, lifelong learning, and innovation. He said the reforms respond to long-standing concerns including examination pressure, textbook burdens, rural-urban disparities, unequal access, tuition culture, and competition, and are guided by policy work developed since 2018 and updated in 2024. He welcomed public discussion and constructive criticism but urged that education policy not be politicized, referring to recent controversy over a Grade 6 English module as an example of harmful political agitation.
Education Full speech →