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

Sitting of Friday, 8 May 2026

10th Parliament· 10 debates· 105 speeches· 37 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23554 ·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.

  4. 4 Debate Debate: Private Members' Motion P.17/2024 - School and Higher Education Frameworks for Sportspersons 10 speeches
    • The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB

      AI summary Moved a Private Member’s Motion calling for national-level sportspersons and record-holders to be allowed access to sports-related degree programmes based on demonstrated sporting competence, rather than only academic qualifications or Z-score. He argued this would help address the shortage of qualified school sports coaches, citing problems with the 2017–2018 recruitment of coaches as non-academic staff, including low pay, lack of job security and attrition. He urged the Prime Minister, as Minister of Higher Education, and the Minister of Sports to develop a framework, and also commented on the need for proper governance and qualified appointments in Sri Lanka Cricket.

      EducationCorruption & Governance ReformEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC

      AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth seconded a Private Member’s Motion and called for a modern public sports ground on 10 acres of identified State land at Sarvodaya Puram in Pottuvil, as well as playing-field facilities for several named schools in the area. He urged the Youth Services Ministry to appoint long-serving local volunteers in Pottuvil and Lahugala as Assistant Youth Services Officers during the current recruitment process. He also requested implementation of a 2021 recommendation to place court matters from 12 GN divisions in Irakkamam under the Akkaraipattu Court, and asked the Power Minister to establish a separate Electricity Consumer Service Centre for Irakkamam.

      InfrastructureEmploymentJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Sugath Thilakaratne - Deputy Minister of Sports JJB

      AI summary Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakaratne supported Hon. Hesha Withanage’s Motion, arguing that national and international athletes sacrifice education and personal life and should receive expanded access to university degree opportunities. He noted existing Sports Science and Sports Management programmes at several universities and said the current limited non-Z-score intake for athletes is insufficient. He also referred to the need for more qualified coaches, better school placements for previously recruited coaches, stronger sports administration, and legal arrangements to bring university sports structures under the UGC to improve participation pathways, including in events such as the World University Games.

      EmploymentEducation Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education (Dr. Madhura Senevirathna)

      AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the motion to expand degree opportunities for athletes and said school-level sports selection and training lack clear, scientific processes. He noted disparities in resources and coaching, and said the Ministries of Education and Sports will establish a joint committee to develop a scientific school sports system for early identification and proper pathways. He also said the existing university allocation of up to 0.5 per cent for students with special talents, including athletes, will be reviewed to better accommodate national athletes in relevant degree programmes through transparent and equitable criteria.

      EducationEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB

      AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government is considering measures to support student-athletes in universities, including enabling those with national or international school-level achievements to continue developing in their sport while pursuing higher education. He stated that discussions with the University Grants Commission had covered providing basic facilities for students competing internationally, and transport support where universities lack sports infrastructure. He described the proposal as timely and said necessary follow-up action would be taken.

      Education Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB

      AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi supported a proposal to create a dedicated educational pathway for high-performing athletes, beyond merely adding 0.5 to the Z-score for university admission. He argued that athletes who represent Sri Lanka nationally or internationally should be able to pursue diplomas and degrees despite academic disruption, especially given limited university places for qualified A/L students. He also urged consideration of past international medal winners, including Susanthika Jayasinghe, and called on the Sports Minister and relevant Deputy Ministers to advance the proposal.

      EducationEmployment Full speech →