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

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, Standing Order 27(2) is for urgent public importance matters. Many of these questions could have been raised under Oral Questions or as an Adjournment Question/Motion. I request a Ruling on the appropriateness of using 27(2) for such multi-part questions.

¶ 02 Subject to your Ruling, I will answer:

¶ 03 A1. There are 17 universities and 18 higher educational institutes under the University Grants Commission (UGC). The proposed intake for the 2024/2025 academic year (GCE A/L 2024) is 43,237. Additionally, five universities established under separate Acts will admit students per their Acts.

¶ 04 A2. The average annual cost per student varies by programme; according to 2022 calculations, it is Rs. 405,313.

¶ 05 A3. Not all A/L candidates intend to enter State universities. Alternatives include employment; overseas study; non-State higher education; external degree programmes of UGC universities; the Open University of Sri Lanka; the Institute of Technology, University of Moratuwa; the Institute for Agro-Technology and Rural Sciences (University of Colombo); and numerous State vocational higher education institutes. There are also 29 non-State universities and higher educational institutes approved by the Ministry where students not selected from A/L can enroll.

¶ 06 A4. Many students proceed overseas privately; the Ministry does not have comprehensive data on numbers leaving for higher education. Overseas study is often a personal choice, not solely due to limited local opportunity.

¶ 07 A5. Private providers offering local degree programmes are recognized under the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978, via stipulated procedures. In line with the Government’s vision to enhance quality and diversity, I have directed the UGC to lead development of a comprehensive policy framework for the non-State higher education sector. Following a review of the existing landscape, we will determine appropriate recognition and regulatory measures.

¶ 08 A6. Foreign students under UGC purview: - Undergraduate: 217 (2022); 240 (2023) - Postgraduate: 724 (2022); 806 (2023)

¶ 09 A7. The Interest-Free Student Loan Scheme (introduced in 2017) continues, enabling study at recognized non-State HEIs. Initially up to Rs. 800,000 (intakes 1–7); per Cabinet Decision No. 24/1721/607/127 of 02.09.2024, increased to Rs. 1,500,000 for selected streams from intake 8 onwards, plus a stipend loan of Rs. 300,000. From 2017–2024, over 22,000 students have benefitted across eight intakes.

¶ 10 [Further answers to section B to be provided in continuation per the sitting record.]