The Hon. B. Ariyawansha
Hon. B. Ariyawansha raised concerns about potential closures of small rural schools, noting that more than 70 schools in Ratnapura District have fewer than 50 students and that parents already face difficulties sending children even to nearby village schools. He asked what measures would be taken if such schools were closed and called for action to develop these schools. He also questioned reports that parents are being asked to raise funds for smart boards in schools such as Konketuwa Primary, Panamura and Pulliyadiyar, and asked what steps would be taken to stop such fundraising.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 My second supplementary:
¶ 02 Earlier, there were plans for schools every 2–3 km and discussions about closing schools with fewer than 50 students. In Embilipitiya, Kolonna and Godakawela zones, 22 schools have fewer than 50 students; in Balangoda zone’s Waligepola and Opanayake DS areas, 12 schools. Over 70 rural schools in Ratnapura have fewer than 50 students. Parents struggle even to send children to the nearest village school. If such schools are closed, what measures will you take? Also, parents have been asked to collect funds for smart boards in schools like Konketuwa Primary and Panamura; principals, like at Pulliyadiyar School, have asked parents to fund smart boards. What steps will you take to develop these schools and stop such fundraising?
Provenance
- Source
- Hansard, Friday, 23 January 2026 ·No. 23290 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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/lk/speeches/14294
Cite as: The Hon. B. Ariyawansha. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 23 January 2026. No. 23290. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/14294