Sitting of Friday, 23 January 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23290 ·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 Announcements 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Presented and Committee Reports 5 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions 4 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives 41 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question No. 8 (Deferred) and Question Stand Down 9 speeches
- 6 Procedural Procedural Matters and Points of Order 18 speeches
- 7 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return 25 speeches
- 8 Papers Ministerial Statement: Vehicles for Welfare Centres 2 speeches
- 9 Debate Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading 75 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB
AI summary Moving the Universities (Amendment) Bill for second reading on behalf of the Education Minister, the Minister said it seeks to improve university governance by introducing seniority-based procedures and term limits for Heads of Departments and by requiring removals to follow Council action on the Vice Chancellor’s recommendation under UGC-prescribed due process. He said the Bill would broaden eligibility for Deans beyond serving Heads of Departments to senior academic staff within faculties, with safeguards to protect Faculty Board primacy in removals. He cited consultations following the 2012 FUTA action and recent feedback from FUTA and academics as supporting the general direction of reforms to make university leadership more transparent, democratic, and accountable.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana argued that the Bill’s provisions on university appointments and removals could increase political influence through Councils and Vice Chancellors, and urged safeguards for a depoliticized university system. He criticized recent education policy reversals, questioned UGC limits on recognition of new programmes by degree-awarding institutions, and said these restrictions reduce higher education opportunities and increase foreign exchange outflows. He also demanded accountability over the Grade 6 textbook controversy, asked whether the interim report had been tabled in Parliament, and questioned the use of Penal Code processes if the issue was minor. He further raised concerns about readiness for Grade 1 and education reforms, citing inadequate digital infrastructure, limited textbook printing and teacher training, and questioned phone-based school initiatives in light of international restrictions on phones and social media for children.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Under Standing Order 92(2)(a), the Member raised a Point of Order alleging that the Minister of Health had misled Parliament. He stated that, after assuring in response to a question under Standing Order 27(2) that the Medical Officer at Akkaraipattu Base Hospital would not be transferred, the Minister later proceeded with the transfer.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Nimal Palihena JJB
AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena supported amendments to the Universities Act aimed at reforming the appointment of Deans and Heads of Departments in state universities. He said the Bill broadens eligibility for Deans, introduces three-year terms renewable once, and transfers greater oversight of Head of Department appointments from Vice Chancellors to University Councils to improve transparency and limit concentration of power. He rejected claims of arbitrary removals or politicisation, while noting the Government is open to future reforms to strengthen independence in university governance.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned whether proposed university regulations constitute genuine “system change,” arguing that changes to Dean and Head of Department appointments are insufficient without reforming appointments of Vice Chancellors, UGC officials, University Councils and Institute Boards. Citing a governance report co-authored by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, he contrasted earlier calls for depoliticization and merit-based appointments with the present proposals. He also objected to a UGC Chairman’s letter instructing Vice Chancellors to halt ongoing appointments before the law is passed, calling it an unlawful interference with existing statutes and a move toward centralized control over universities.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB
AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy supported amending the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978, arguing that it is outdated in light of changes in technology, internationalization, labour market needs, and the role of universities in national development. He called for clearer statutory provisions on the powers of the UGC, Councils and Senates, and on the appointment, eligibility, tenure and removal of Deans and Heads of Departments, including mechanisms to address non-performance. He also highlighted concerns about graduate quality, curriculum relevance, staff migration and vacancies, noting that approval had been sought to recruit 5,680 university staff, Cabinet had approved 3,713 posts, and 640 had been recruited by 19 January 2026, urging that recruitment be expedited.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan rejected allegations made by Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara and others that he misused land, received funds from the Poonakari solar power project, or held improper assets, and demanded that any such claims be substantiated with bank and transaction details. He questioned why complaints lodged with the FCID and the Bribery Commission had not been concluded, and called for transparent investigations involving relevant officials. He also linked the allegations to broader political pressures and raised concerns over land dispossession, militarisation, unreleased lands, and attacks on Tamil representatives, urging that justice be upheld through proper inquiry.
Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a Point of Order citing Standing Orders 92(2), 23(1) and (2), and the Members’ Code of Ethics. He referred to provisions prohibiting Members from voting on or participating in matters before Parliament or its Committees where they have a personal, financial, or pecuniary interest beyond that shared with the public.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK
AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan raised a point of order objecting to another Member referring to him by name and allegedly making false statements about him in Parliament. He stated that he was elected independently and with integrity, noted his membership of the Constitutional Council, and requested an inquiry to establish the facts and ensure justice.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa addressed the GMOA’s 48-hour island-wide strike, acknowledging doctors’ contribution to health services while arguing that the Government has already granted substantial salary and allowance increases despite inheriting a bankrupt economy. He detailed phased public-sector salary increases from April 2025, January 2026, and January 2027, including higher overtime, holiday pay, extra-duty rates, and tax relief through the raised APIT threshold. He cited specific increases for preliminary grade, Grade II, and Grade I medical officers to support the Government’s position that doctors’ remuneration has improved significantly.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa moved that Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi take the Chair. The House agreed to the motion, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi presided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha criticized the Government’s handling of the Health and Education Ministries, arguing that ministers were interfering in other portfolios while neglecting their own responsibilities. He questioned recent administrative changes at the National Institute of Education, alleging politicization of its governing bodies and mismanagement of qualified academic staff. He also challenged the Government’s proposed education reforms, particularly material he claimed was inappropriate for Grade 6 students, and demanded that any reforms be brought forward transparently rather than through internal conflicts or protests.
- The Hon. Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB
AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage supported amendments to the Universities Act, stating that the reforms would democratize university governance by broadening eligibility for Deans, introducing term limits, shifting appointment of Heads of Departments to University Councils, and widening representation in Senates. He said the changes were intended to reduce centralized decision-making and improve transparency, drawing on consultations with the university community. He also outlined government measures on university vacancies, student welfare, scholarships, hostels, disability support, research funding, loans for higher education, and digitalization.
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said he would continue raising allegations against the Government despite indictments filed against him. He criticized the Education Ministry over alleged politically motivated transfers in the Southern Province, lack of inquiry into similarities in the A/L Economics paper, a Western Province Grade 11 History paper leak, proposed closure of small rural schools, and possible withdrawal of difficult area allowances for teachers. He urged the Government to provide 50,000 jobs for unemployed graduates and called for action over an allegation involving the OIC of Ranajayapura Police, while also arguing that the Education portfolio should be reassigned if current problems persist.
- The Hon. Ravindra Bandara
AI summary Ravindra Bandara supported the Universities (Amendment) Bill, arguing that it expands democratic participation in dean selection and introduces term limits rather than promoting authoritarianism. He rejected Opposition criticisms on education reform, stating that current reforms aim to strengthen public education without burdening parents, unlike earlier proposals he said would have shifted costs to families and privatized aspects of schooling. He also addressed estate worker wages, saying an additional Rs. 400 would be provided from 10 February through company and Government contributions, and described contrary claims about work norms as misinformation. The speech further criticized vulgar language and conduct in Parliament, corrected the term “Malaiyagam community,” and cited economic indicators such as investment, tourism, remittances, and stock market performance as signs of progress.
- The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP
AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman challenged claims about plantation wage increases, arguing that higher daily wages have been offset by increased plucking targets and asking the Labour Minister to investigate and issue a Gazette to prevent such practices. He defended the Saumyamoorthi Thondaman Memorial Foundation, citing its establishment in 2005 and comparing it with other memorial institutions, while rejecting criticism of its naming and family involvement. He also questioned government relief commitments to cyclone-affected hill country communities, especially landless and homeless people, and requested that Hansard correct a reference to “Mulloya Govindan.”
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilusha Lakmali Gamage, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Nilusha Lakmali Gamage supported the Universities (Amendment) Bill, stating that it addresses governance and appointment ambiguities in the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978. She highlighted proposed changes to the appointment, removal, eligibility criteria and term limits for Deans and Heads of Departments, including shifting HoD appointments to University Councils and limiting consecutive terms. She argued that the reforms would reduce favoritism, improve accountability, create opportunities for younger academics, and support national human capital development, urging Members to support the Bill.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that the Government’s approach to university appointments contradicts its stated policy of reducing political influence, citing alleged politically linked appointments to vice chancellor positions. Referring to a university governance workshop report, he said the Government had selectively adopted provisions on appointing Heads of Departments through Councils, which he claimed could increase politicization. He criticized changes to eligibility and term limits for Heads of Departments and Deans, arguing they could create shortages of suitably experienced staff and weaken university administration.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara criticised the Government’s proposed university amendments, arguing that they would politicize appointments of deans and department heads and worsen declining university rankings. He called instead for a comprehensive reform of the Universities Act, including globally comparable posts such as Deputy Vice-Chancellors for research, academic affairs and international affairs. He also raised concerns about judicial independence, questioning the appointment of a High Court Judge as Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice while hearing politically sensitive cases, and urged action to protect judicial processes from politicization.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns about RM Parks (Private) Limited, including the storage of 23,000 metric tons in allegedly unsuitable locations and the treatment of a female officer who investigated the matter, stating that her duties had been suspended and she had been reassigned to a garage. He also disputed Minister Kumar Jayakody’s statement that he had not met anyone in Russia, claiming the Minister met SUEK company officials at 1.00 p.m. and tabling related information for parliamentary attention.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB
AI summary The Minister supported amendments to Sections 49 and 51 of the Universities Act, arguing that they would depoliticize and democratize the appointment and removal of Deans and Heads of Departments. He said Faculty Boards and University Councils should have clearer authority over these posts, with term limits and removal powers introduced to prevent prolonged control and administrative distortions. He emphasized that such positions affect academic careers, recruitment, promotions, study leave, scholarships and disciplinary processes, and rejected claims that the reforms undermine university autonomy.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary M.A.M. Thahir questioned recent statements by ruling party members about retaining power and “state power,” and argued that the Government must address practical public needs rather than repeat past practices. He said rural schools still lack basic facilities, parents continue to be asked to fund furniture and resources despite promises of change, and cold weather linked to climate conditions may require adjustments to school arrangements. He called for an accelerated coastal erosion mitigation programme in affected Eastern Province areas, citing exposed graves in Maligakadu and Nintavur-Attappallam and slow progress on promised works. He also urged the Minister of Cultural Affairs to reduce political interference in mosque administration and empower the relevant department to appoint suitable permanent administrators.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB
AI summary Welcoming amendments on university administration, the Member said appointments such as Deans should be made through more democratic processes to reduce subjectivity, nepotism and cronyism, and indicated that similar reforms should later extend up to Vice-Chancellor appointments. He also argued for democratizing university access for persons with disabilities, stating that all eligible students should be able to enter any degree stream and citing barriers in lecture halls, libraries and hostels. He noted Government measures including a Higher Education Ministry policy on inclusion and an additional Rs. 5,000 monthly allowance above Mahapola for university students with disabilities, and said access should also be expanded for groups such as members of the Sri Lanka Thalassaemia Association.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC
AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam said his party sought to offer constructive criticism, and urged the Prime Minister to reverse the previous Government’s ban on law practitioners serving as university lecturers, citing its impact on Dr. Kumaravadivel Guruparan. He also called for greater transparency and fairness in Vice-Chancellor selection processes and appointments to University Councils. He strongly opposed the Cabinet-approved Kivul Oya Project, alleging it continued Sinhala settlement in Tamil areas after wartime displacement and citing environmental feasibility concerns and constitutional issues. He demanded the Prime Minister’s intervention, warning that proceeding with the project would undermine Tamil confidence in the Government’s commitment to systemic change in the North and East.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB
AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan raised urgent concerns about post-“Titva” storm relief in the up-country areas, stating that only about 30–40 per cent of affected people in districts such as Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Matale and Kegalle had received promised assistance. He argued that hill-country estate communities, especially those in unsafe line-rooms and temporary shelters, require land rights and housing support, and questioned why the Government’s proposed alternate land and Rs. 5 million housing assistance were not being applied equally to them. He urged the Prime Minister and Government to create a special mechanism to allocate state plantation land for affected estate residents and ensure they receive the same disaster relief as other areas.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Madhura Senevirathna supported amendments to the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978, saying they introduce clearer and more democratic procedures for appointing, limiting the terms of, and removing Deans and Heads of Departments. He rejected claims that the Bill undermines university autonomy, and said wider higher education reforms are being developed through a National Committee with stakeholder consultations and a national policy to be published for public comment. He also cited increased 2026 budget allocations, higher student stipends, recruitment approvals, and infrastructure funding as measures aimed at improving universities, student welfare, and international rankings.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth requested infrastructure, education and administrative improvements for Pottuvil, Nintavur, Akkaraipattu, Attalaichenai and surrounding areas, including a Tourism Faculty at South Eastern University, urgent repair of a flood-damaged bridge, bilingual translation of government circulars, and more Tamil-speaking officers. He highlighted severe teacher shortages, inadequate English-medium subject teaching, lack of ICT facilities, and specific school building needs, while calling for teacher appointments to match divisional vacancies. He also sought upgrades to vocational training centres, roads, bridges, street lighting, government vehicles and local authority machinery, and requested a permanent Irrigation Engineer to better serve farmers and tourism-related local services.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB
AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the Universities (Amendment) Bill, arguing that it updates the 1978 Act after decades and advances democratization within university governance. He said the Government has increased funding for higher education and rejected Opposition claims of neglect. He highlighted proposed changes to appointments and term limits for Deans and Heads of Departments, saying broader eligibility would reduce concentration of authority and create fairer opportunities. He linked the reforms to modernizing universities, meeting labour market needs, and preparing students for technological and global competition.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe supported the Universities (Amendment) Bill while urging the relevant ministries to act fairly in education, justice and defence administration. He called for the establishment of a Medical Faculty at the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka in Oluvil, proposing that nearby base hospitals be used as teaching hospitals to address regional health needs, specialist shortages and limited national medical student intake. He also requested urgent action to fill university staffing vacancies, citing UGC figures on academic and temporary lecturer shortages across several universities.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam criticized the Government’s handling of education reforms and university governance, comparing it to the previous Government’s failed agriculture policies. He alleged discriminatory changes to the ethnic composition of the Eastern University Council, cited a court judgment finding the premature replacement of Council members improper, and tabled the order. He also argued that national history, including minority-related political agreements and loss of citizenship rights for estate Tamils, is inadequately taught, and said ITAK would consider its position on any future No-Confidence Motion.
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam stated that his party, as the third largest in Parliament, has demands on the Government’s education reforms and may determine its position depending on whether the Ministry of Education responds to them. He clarified that although the party has not signed the No-confidence Motion against the reforms, it will decide its stance when the Motion is taken up. He also thanked the President for his speech in Jaffna and said parts of the Opposition were misrepresenting it on social media.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised a procedural point, stating that the Presiding Member should have indicated the time limit one minute earlier. He explained that he continued speaking because he expected to be informed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam said the President’s remarks on religious activity in the North had been misrepresented, arguing that they referred to a specific temple and organized political mobilization rather than to Sinhala Buddhists visiting Nagadipa or other temples. He praised the President for speaking against what he described as chauvinist activity in areas without Sinhala Buddhist residents, and distinguished this from Tamil worship at Kataragama, noting its longstanding religious significance. He also urged the Government to address Tamil demands on education and make sound decisions.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary A procedural motion was moved by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake proposing that Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera take the Chair. The motion was seconded, agreed to by the House, and the presiding member was accordingly replaced.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama JJB
AI summary Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama supported the Universities (Amendment) Bill, arguing that the 1978 Universities Act must be updated to modernize higher education governance, broaden eligibility for senior posts such as Deans, and introduce performance- and skills-based leadership. He said education should be treated as a public investment and an instrument of social transformation, not as a commodity, and linked the reforms to the National People’s Power education policy. He also called for modern post-1948 history, including events such as the rise of the LTTE, Black July, and the burning of the Jaffna Library, to be included in school curricula.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake supported the Universities (Amendment) Bill as a necessary step toward broader education reform, citing the large gap between students qualified for university entry and those actually admitted. He argued that reforms should address outdated curricula, labour-market mismatch, weak vocational pathways, language and digital gaps, politicization, and graduate unemployment, while strengthening TVET, innovation, entrepreneurship, and human capital development. He welcomed the Government’s continuation of policies such as the IMF programme, open-economy measures, privatization initiatives, and tariff rationalization, but urged reforms to be institutional rather than dependent on individuals. On university governance, he called for democratic checks and balances, including limiting ministerial appointees to university councils to around 40–45 per cent to improve merit-based decision-making.
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB
AI summary The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe, Deputy Minister of Labour, raised a Point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was stated in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB
AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe clarified that his earlier response to Hon. Oshaanee Umanga on 6 January explained the distinction between the EPF and ETF and did not state that the EPF would be converted into a pension. He said his remarks had been misrepresented, and reaffirmed that while the Government aims to provide pensions for private and semi-government sector workers, this does not involve converting the EPF into a pension.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake supported amendments to the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978, arguing that the nearly five-decade-old framework must be updated to suit current educational needs. He said the amendments address university governance, particularly appointments to senior academic positions such as Deans and Heads of Departments, to reduce over-concentration of authority in the Vice Chancellor. He contrasted the present government’s mandate with the circumstances under which the 1978 Act was enacted and stated that the changes should serve the long-term interests of students and free education.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha questioned the lowering of qualifications for appointing Deans under the Universities (Amendment) Bill and urged a broader reform approach to higher education. He proposed mandatory service bonds or legal mechanisms requiring beneficiaries of free university education, especially doctors, engineers, specialists and technical graduates, to serve in Sri Lanka for a defined period and return after overseas training. He also called for engagement with destination countries on retaining Sri Lankan professionals, the establishment of reputable private universities to reduce foreign education costs, and increasing education expenditure toward 5 per cent of GDP.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB
AI summary The Minister said the proposed amendments to the Universities Act aim to improve administrative efficiency and democratic governance in universities, following consultations with university stakeholders. He explained that Deans would be elected from an expanded pool including Senior Lecturers Grade I, while Heads of Departments would continue to be appointed through broader and less subjective processes. He also linked the reforms to wider education policy, emphasizing vocational education, competency-based progression, and skills development as part of building human capital.
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper raised concerns about the Bill’s provisions on the election and removal of university Deans, arguing that removal powers should include a clear statutory procedure, due process, and preferably a requirement that the Council act on the Board’s recommendation. He referred to the 2015 report on university governance and autonomy, noting that its recommendations had not yet been operationalized. He also argued that education reform must address systemic pressure from examinations and tuition by aligning pathways with labour-market needs, recognizing students’ abilities, and ensuring dignity and social value across all occupations.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva urged the Prime Minister to incorporate FUTA’s proposed safeguards on university governance, including eligibility criteria for Deans, clarification of term limits, due process for removing Deans and Heads, and mandatory departmental consultation for cross-department appointments. He said these changes were intended to protect university autonomy, prevent politicized appointments, and preserve internal democratic practices. He also commended the Prime Minister’s representation of Sri Lanka at Davos.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary The Prime Minister defended the Universities (Amendment) Bill, stating that it responds to long-standing demands from FUTA and the university community for more democratic and transparent processes in appointing Heads of Departments and Deans, while preserving academic autonomy and strengthening public accountability. She said Committee Stage amendments would incorporate further proposals, including some raised by the Opposition and FUTA, and rejected claims that the Bill would politicize university governance. She also outlined the Government’s education reform framework, emphasizing national education goals, foundational literacies, digital and future skills, lifelong learning, flexible pathways, and stronger integration of vocational education. Addressing criticism over a Grade 6 module error, she said the Government had accepted responsibility and corrected it promptly, while urging the Opposition to engage substantively with the reform proposals.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the key issues concerning education reforms should be debated substantively in relation to national goals, competencies, and pathways. She indicated readiness to consider constructive proposals and proceed on that basis.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Moved the Third Reading of the amended Bill and requested permission to correct typographical, printing, grammatical and numbering errors and make ancillary amendments. The motion was agreed to, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
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