Sitting of Friday, 8 May 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23554 ·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 Opening: Ceremonial Reception of H.E. To Lam, President of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam 7 speeches
- 2 Procedural Procedural: Announcements and Tabling of Reports (Constitutional Council, Committee on Public Finance) 6 speeches
- 3 Procedural Procedural: Motion to Exempt Business Nos. 1-7 from S.141 1 speeches
- 4 Debate Debate: Private Members' Motion P.17/2024 - School and Higher Education Frameworks for Sportspersons 10 speeches
- 5 Debate Debate: Private Members' Motion P.18/2024 - Formulating a Programme to Make School Students Aware of University of Vocational Technology 20 speeches
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri asked the Deputy Speaker how many Members intended to speak on his Motion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri raised a procedural matter regarding time allocation for a Motion, stating that the Parliamentary Business Committee had allocated 34 minutes for it. He requested that the time be divided between the Government Member and himself, noting that they required the full allocation.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake referred to arrangements for parliamentary business, noting that his Motion would be seconded by Hon. Shanakyian and that members would return by 2.35 p.m. He requested permission for speaking time to continue until 2.35 p.m., stating that this would allow the relevant issues to be managed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri moved a resolution calling for a government programme to inform school students about the University of Vocational Technology and its job-market-oriented degree courses. He cited Vietnam’s education and labour-force model, including foreign-language vocational pathways linked to overseas employment, and urged Sri Lanka to use vocational and technological education to develop human capital beyond traditional university disciplines.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna moved that Hon. Sagarika Athauda take the Chair during the proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Mrs. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna formally seconded the motion before the House. The question was put and agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Mrs. Sagarika Athauda took over presiding duties.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri argued that Sri Lanka should learn from Vietnam’s advanced agricultural methods to improve yields, food security, and an agriculture-based economy, noting that the country still imports rice and that such technologies should be taught through universities. He called for modernizing traditional agriculture while retaining national identity and questioned whether university education is being effectively directed toward national development. He also highlighted the value of vocational and technical skills in vehicle repair and upgrading, proposing an island-wide expansion of the University of Vocational Technology to support youth employment and economic productivity.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna supported the Motion to raise student awareness of the University of Vocational Technology, arguing that vocational education needs public trust, clear pathways from school to industry, and mechanisms for NVQ Level 4 holders to enter degree programmes with possible advanced standing. She urged curriculum planning in consultation with industry bodies and referred to models in Germany, Singapore and Switzerland, while calling for more vocational technology universities. She also requested corrections to alleged shortcomings in recruitment and marking schemes for aesthetic studies institutes, including interview board approvals and practical test criteria, to protect fairness and applicant confidence.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage JJB
AI summary Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage supported the Motion to raise school students’ awareness of the University of Vocational Technology, noting that the Government is already pursuing related measures under the framework of the University of Vocational Technology Act, No. 31 of 2008. He said new education reforms aim to introduce vocational and technical subjects into school curricula and create pathways to university admission for students with practical skills. He also stated that neglected technical training institutes are being assessed for improvements and that awareness programmes are being expanded through Divisional Secretariat-level officials.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Nalin Hewage - Deputy Minister of Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Hon. Nalin Hewage supported the Motion on strengthening vocational education, arguing that Sri Lanka’s development depends heavily on improving human resources. He said the Government had allocated Rs. 8,000 million for vocational education facilities and recruitment, and was moving from a linear education pathway to multiple vocational and higher education options. He outlined a village-level outreach programme through 14,000 GN Division committees to identify youth suitable for vocational training, inform families about institutions, jobs, grants and loans, and ensure poverty does not prevent children from continuing education. He also referred to ongoing awareness, equipment upgrades, staffing measures and forthcoming improvements at the University of Vocational Technology.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri thanked Members who contributed to his Private Member’s Motion on issues in technological and vocational universities, noting proposals on human resources, capital needs, and wider education reform. He urged the Government to move beyond debate and implement the proposed measures so progress could be assessed in the coming years, while cautioning that outreach programmes should be protected from misuse by officials. He also linked education reform to broader social concerns, including rising suicide and mental health-related distress, and said the motion was agreed to.
- 6 Debate Debate: Private Members' Motion P.43/2025 - Preventing Misuse of Positions of Professors and Doctors 24 speeches
- 7 Debate Debate: Private Members' Motion P.33/2025 - Setting up of a Unit with Legal Powers to Solve Problems Faced by Migrant Employees 19 speeches
- 8 Debate Debate: Private Members' Motion P.50/2025 - Formulating a Methodology to Prevent Damage Caused by Pine Plantations to Water Sources 8 speeches
- 9 Debate Debate: Private Members' Motion P.60/2025 - Preventing Suicide Among Young Children 9 speeches
- 10 Adjournment Adjournment: Parliament Adjourns 1 speeches