The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya — Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the Answer to the Question raised by Hon. Sajith Premadasa on 10.10.2025 under SO 27(2) is as follows:

¶ 02 01. A detailed report can be tabled. [Annex 01 tabled, including cadre and vacancies across universities under UGC, Buddhist and Pali University, Bhiksu University, Ocean University, University of Vocational Technology, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.]

¶ 03 02. As per Annex 01, details are provided. [Annex 01 tabled.]

¶ 04 - Cabinet approval has been granted to fill 1,209 academic vacancies (Professor, Associate Professor, Senior Lecturer, etc.) from 01.01.2025 to 09.10.2025, and recruitments are underway by the respective institutions. - Pursuant to PMO letters dated 08.01.2025 and 15.01.2025, approval has been granted to recruit 1,209 academic posts within budget limits and under proper procedures. - Under Management Services Circular 06/2025 dated 25.03.2025, salaries and allowances of university academics have been increased, effective 01.01.2025, to be implemented over three years. - Since 2019, no new projects were approved; however, under the 2026 Budget, 19 new projects for 2026–2030 State Investment Programme totalling Rs. 43.9 billion have been included, with Rs. 5 billion in 2026 for infrastructure. Additionally, Rs. 26 billion is allocated for ongoing university projects.

¶ 05 - Placed in the Library.

¶ 06 03. There is no programme to close schools. A programme is proposed to upgrade one school per education division to deliver quality primary education with proper standards.

¶ 07 04. i. Yes. Annex 03 tabled. [Annex 03 placed in the Library.] ii. History has not been removed from the curriculum.

¶ 08 - History is included from Grade 6; for Grades 6–9, it is compulsory with 60 hours per year; for Grades 10–11, it is also compulsory with allocated hours. - Aesthetics subjects begin at primary level as integrated; from Grades 6–9, 20 hours per term (total 240 hours across cycles); for Grades 10–11, Aesthetics is compulsory.

¶ 09 05. Though 30 years have elapsed since the 1994 Teachers’ Service Constitution, steps are needed to improve quality, resolve promotional/assessment issues, align recruitment with service rules, remove anomalies, and improve quality across education services. Government attention is on a structured new programme; an Education Council is being set up to address pay anomalies and related issues.

¶ 10 - Difficult/most difficult school allowances have been revised: in addition to existing payments (Rs. 1,500/2,500), an extra Rs. 1,500 is proposed in Budget 2026 for identified schools; new circular 01/2024(1) issued with revised criteria.

¶ 11 - Annex 04 tabled.

¶ 12 On teacher recruitment exams (SLTS Grade 3-I(A)): - Supreme Court cases 77/2023 and 88/2023 were dismissed on 06.08.2025; in cases 78/2023 and 95/2023, the upper age limit was extended from 40 to 45 for this occasion. - However, pending CA 92/2023 (writ) had prevented holding the exam; after following due process and Cabinet Decision of 26.10.2025, and upon updating the court, the case concluded, and Gazette has been issued to recruit graduates—both in public service and outside—to SLTS Grade 3-I(A) for existing vacancies.