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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Thursday, 5 February 2026

10th Parliament· 16 debates· 327 speeches· 108 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23269 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

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

  11. 11 Oral question Ministry Statements: University Vacancies and Educational Opportunities 29 speeches
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya — Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education

      AI summary The Prime Minister tabled detailed annexes on university staffing and stated that Cabinet approval has been granted to fill 1,209 academic vacancies, alongside salary increases for university academics and new Budget 2026 allocations for higher education infrastructure projects. She said there is no programme to close schools, but a proposal to upgrade one school per education division for quality primary education. She clarified that History remains compulsory from Grades 6 to 11 and that Aesthetics is included from primary level and compulsory at higher grades. She also outlined steps on teacher service reforms, difficult-school allowances, and graduate teacher recruitment following related court decisions and the issuance of a Gazette for existing vacancies.

      EmploymentPublic FinanceEducation Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa — Leader of the Opposition

      AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s delayed and incomplete response to concerns on university vacancies, school closures, and education sector policy. He said teacher demands promised by the Government remain unmet, alleged that schools are collecting money from parents for digital equipment, and urged the Ministry to provide such resources to protect free education. He also called for digital education to begin from Grade 1, preferably in English medium, and sought clarification on reports of planned closures or removals involving Gampaha Wickramarachchi University’s Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Dental Sciences Faculty at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

      Education Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya welcomed the Leader of the Opposition’s stated support for free education, while noting it differed from the position of his former political tradition. She said many issues raised were outside the scope of the Question and requested that questions not be based on social media claims. She stated that there was no decision to curtail free education or to close the Faculty of Dental Sciences at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

      Education Full speech →
    • An Hon. Member

      AI summary An Hon. Member raised a brief question asking about Wickramarachchi. No further context, proposal, or substantive argument was provided in the excerpt.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB

      AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said corrective action is being taken at Gampaha Wickramarachchi University following a UGC-appointed expert committee report, after programmes had been opened without proper approvals and students were left vulnerable, stressing that the process is not political. She stated that around 1,500 smart boards are being distributed this year to secondary schools under a circular, and that parents should not be asked to contribute money for them. She also said curriculum decisions are made by experts, with technology introduced in Grades 1–5 in an age-appropriate, integrated manner rather than as a separate ICT subject.

      Education Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB

      AI summary Sajith Premadasa rose on a Point of Order. No substantive issue, proposal, or question is recorded in the provided excerpt.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB

      AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised a matter under Standing Order 27(2), stressing that ministerial answers must be accurate, and tabled a UGC letter concerning the closure of the Faculty of Graduate Studies at Gampaha Wickramarachchi University. He also asked whether the Minister would issue a circular to all school principals directing them not to collect money from parents for smart boards.

      Parliamentary ProcedureEducation Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB

      AI summary The Secretary to the Ministry of Education has instructed schools or institutions not to collect the funds in question. Addressing the Wickramarachchi Faculty decision, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said the action was based on a UGC-appointed committee report identifying violations of UGC procedures in launching programmes, and argued that corrective steps are necessary where such violations have caused injustice to students.

      Education Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB

      AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa rose to raise a Point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue is stated in the provided excerpt.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB

      AI summary The Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned the decision to close an entire Faculty due to identified deficiencies. He argued that any shortcomings should be addressed directly rather than disrupting the whole Faculty, and sought clarification on the rationale for the closure.

      Education Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

      AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa argued that while the Leader of the Opposition is granted speaking priority due to his office, that privilege should not be misused for matters that could be submitted in writing. He criticized requests such as cancelling exams, recruiting teachers without exams, and opposing education reforms as issues better addressed through formal written submissions rather than raised on the floor.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB

      AI summary Several welfare programmes for schoolchildren are in place, including textbooks, uniforms, Suraksha insurance, sanitary pad vouchers, midday meals, and targeted vouchers, with Rs. 57.2 billion allocated in 2025 and beneficiary data being improved. The 2025 GCE Ordinary Level Examination will be held from 17 to 26 February 2026 despite overlapping with Ramadan, following consultations with Eastern Province education officials, ACJU representatives, and the Examinations Department. The Minister stated that postponement would disrupt the return to the regular examination calendar, under which Grade 5 Scholarship and A/L examinations are to be held in August and O/L examinations in December from 2026 onward.

      Education Full speech →
    • The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP

      AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan questioned the scheduling of examinations during Ramadan, saying they should have been advanced by 10 days to finish by the 17th in view of fasting and night prayers. He urged future consultation with the relevant religious affairs divisions to avoid clashes with religious observances. He also requested that shoe vouchers and the Rs. 6,000 learning materials allowance be provided to difficult and most difficult area schools regardless of whether they have more or fewer than 200 students.

      Religion & CultureEducation Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB

      AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that parliamentary scheduling would return to normal to avoid clashes with religious observances. She said all children of Aswesuma beneficiaries receive stationery allowances, and that a pilot programme to provide locally manufactured shoes would run in two provinces in 2026, with possible expansion if successful and cost-effective. She added that Grade 5 Scholarship beneficiaries would be eligible for shoe vouchers from 2026, with the Government aiming to better identify and expand support for children in need.

      Cost of LivingEducation Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe — Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development

      AI summary The Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development responded to eight questions raised by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake under Standing Order 27(2) concerning United States tariff measures. He indicated that the answers were available and offered either to read them out or table them to save time.

      Foreign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake requested the Minister to read out the answers to Questions 3 and 5.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB

      AI summary Discussions with the United States are being handled through formal intergovernmental channels, involving USTR and other US agencies, while Sri Lanka is represented by an inter-agency team chaired by the Finance Ministry Secretary. The process is conducted in line with Cabinet decisions and includes consultations with relevant ministries, regulators, and the private sector where appropriate. The response emphasized that Sri Lanka’s economic context, IMF-related reforms, vulnerabilities, and recent consolidation are being raised in the talks, and that the Government also briefed the US Embassy on the impact of Cyclone “Ditwah”.

      Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked whether the details requested in relation to Question 4 would be presented to Parliament.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake requested that the answers to Questions 6 and 7 also be read. The intervention was procedural in nature and did not raise a substantive policy issue or proposal.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB

      AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that recent US tariff actions show preferential access is not automatic, noting Sri Lanka’s reciprocal tariff rate of 20 per cent compared with higher initial indications and varying rates for selected regional countries. He said discussions with the US are ongoing on a reciprocal tariff agreement covering goods, services, investment, digital trade, labour-related standards and other areas, but no final timeline or binding terms have been agreed and details remain confidential. He emphasized that the Government will protect vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, SMEs, apparel and fisheries through safeguards, phased liberalization, negative lists and trade remedy laws, while monitoring impacts and updating Parliament according to procedure.

      Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Ravi Karunanayake asked whether the Government would take the lead in concluding a trade agreement with President Trump, citing the EU-India deal and an 18% arrangement between the United States and India. He argued that securing Sri Lanka’s approximately USD 3.4 billion in exports from the previous year would strengthen foreign reserves and support economic recovery.

      Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB

      AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the Government’s policy is to pursue production-led growth by facilitating productive sectors and expanding exports. He noted that exports to the United States declined from USD 3,291 million in 2022 to USD 2,762 million in 2023, before rising to USD 2,910 million in 2024, and said further growth is needed. He said the Government, through continued discussions and the Export Development Board, is working to increase market share, broaden the exporter base, diversify the export basket, and strengthen reserves.

      EmploymentPublic Finance Full speech →