Topic
Education
1,409 speeches · 257 speakers
Party share
By the speaker's party · counts only, no scoring. "Unattributed" = speeches not resolved to an MP.
Most active on this topic
| # | Member | Speeches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, M.P. JJB | 213 |
| 2 | Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna, M.P. JJB | 99 |
| 3 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 51 |
| 4 | Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P. JJB | 29 |
| 5 | Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, M.P. SJB | 25 |
| 6 | Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF | 25 |
| 7 | Hon. Nalin Hewage, M.P. JJB | 21 |
| 8 | Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, M.P. NDF | 18 |
| 9 | Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 17 |
| 10 | Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, M.P. SJB | 17 |
Speeches
1,409 on this topic- 10 June 2026 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Welcoming the planned recruitment of about 8,000 doctors, the member said this reflects training decisions made by previous governments five to seven years ago. He urged the Government to further increase medical faculty and nursing intakes from Advanced Level qualified students, sought clearer action on bringing back health professionals who have gone abroad, and reiterated the need to improve facilities at Primary Medical Care Centers. Adjournment: Issues in Health Sector Read →
- 10 June 2026 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran argued that foreign exchange policy should focus on incentives for those bringing foreign currency into Sri Lanka, rather than placing constraints on traders. He called for stronger domestic production and import substitution to reduce dollar demand, as well as measures to attract diaspora investment. He also urged investment in school-level infrastructure, including classrooms, computers and reliable internet, to build capacity in knowledge-intensive export sectors such as IT and artificial intelligence. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Read →
- 10 June 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that her position was against the political exploitation of schoolchildren and the use of school events for inappropriate political activity. She clarified that this does not prohibit local MPs from visiting schools for observations or participating in ceremonies, but emphasized opposition to any political misuse of the school system and children. Oral Question: School Dropouts Since 2010 (Q.3) Read →
- 10 June 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government has begun improving data collection to better target support for schoolchildren, while continuing interventions despite current data gaps. She said ongoing programmes include providing shoes, nutritious meals, uniforms, books, sanitary pads for girls, and stationery allowances for low-income children, including through Aswesuma beneficiary households and small schools. She acknowledged that coverage is not yet fully accurate and said the aim is to obtain reliable data this year to improve delivery. Oral Question: School Dropouts Since 2010 (Q.3) Read →
- 10 June 2026 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised concern that reliable data on out-of-school children are not maintained despite Sri Lanka’s free education system. He asked whether the Ministry of Education would introduce a targeted welfare mechanism for children who leave school due to economic hardship, noting problems in the administration of the Aswasuma welfare programme. Oral Question: School Dropouts Since 2010 (Q.3) Read →
- 10 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Minister provided figures on estimated school dropouts in Grades 1–10 from 2018 to 2024, noting that no ministry data is available for 2010–2017 and that some recorded attrition may reflect transfers, migration, or movement to international schools rather than cessation of education. She said district-wise figures were tabled, and identified personal, school-related, family-related, societal, and alternative activity-related factors as key causes, based on a 2024–2025 ministry study. She outlined compulsory education obligations for ages 5–16, existing non-formal education and welfare measures, monitoring mechanisms, and forthcoming education reforms and digitization of teacher and student data to improve retention and tracking. Oral Question: School Dropouts Since 2010 (Q.3) Read →
- 10 June 2026 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to provide detailed data on school dropouts from 2010 to the present, including annual numbers, age groups, district-wise figures, and common causes. He also sought information on Government measures to address the issue and whether a formal study is being conducted, or, if not, whether the Government accepts the need for an urgent study. Oral Question: School Dropouts Since 2010 (Q.3) Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister provided a written response to a question on G.C.E. Ordinary Level Sinhala, Tamil and English results from 2015 to 2025, stating that annual candidate numbers, failures and failure percentages were included in an annex. She outlined measures to improve language education, including teacher training, mock and model papers, e-Thaksalawa and Gurugedara resources, competitions, reading promotion, English-speaking initiatives, Regional English Support Centres, learning resources and partnerships with institutions such as universities, the British Council and Goethe-Institut. It was also noted that appointments of suitably qualified graduates have been made for language teaching, while a separate question by Hon. Ajith P. Perera was deferred for two weeks at the request of the Minister of Health and Mass Media. Adjournment and Written Answers Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad raised concerns about schoolchildren, requesting a one to one-and-a-half month postponement of the A/L examination due to reduced teaching time, timely payment of Grade 5 scholarship stipends, and increased support for the primary school breakfast programme. He also called for incentives for SriLankan Catering staff, transfers for Civil Security Department officers closer to Thantirimale, and stronger action against digital extremism and weaknesses in visa and financial systems. On the Easter Sunday investigations, he said suspects should be arrested and investigated without obstruction but urged the Government to ensure the full safety of detained former intelligence official Sale, warning that any death in custody would undermine justice for victims. He also questioned alleged links involving JVP National List nominee Ibrahim and said the SJB would wait for investigations to conclude before commenting further. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 22 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, the Deputy Minister tabled a detailed response on Kili/Kilinochchi Central College, stating that its O/L results and SEQI rating indicate a “Good” educational standard, while A/L outcomes remain below zonal averages despite gradual improvement. He acknowledged shortages in subject teachers, non-academic staff, furniture and other resources, and said cadre approvals have been sought from the Department of Management Services. He noted that principal and teacher vacancies are expected to be addressed through scheduled recruitment processes, including the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service examination and graduate and National Diploma in Teaching recruitments, with teacher gaps expected to be resolved by the first quarter of 2027. Oral Questions: Multiple Questions Tabled (Q.7-9, and Agricultural questions) Read →
- 22 May 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka on behalf of the Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan AI summary Asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education to acknowledge reported declines in educational standards at Kili/Kilinochchi Central College, a National School in Kilinochchi District, attributed to academic and non-academic staff vacancies and shortages of resources including furniture. Requested details of current staffing levels, reasons for unfilled non-academic posts, and timelines for filling all vacancies and addressing building and furniture needs. Oral Questions: Multiple Questions Tabled (Q.7-9, and Agricultural questions) Read →
- 21 May 2026 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath stated that the Government had acted during the economic crisis to improve higher education, sanitation, estate hospital facilities, and wage entitlements for estate workers, while addressing exploitative labour practices. He rejected Opposition claims that the Government neglected people affected by the “8962” cyclone in Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, and Kandy, saying all possible measures had been taken. He argued that the Government was advancing equal opportunities and dignity for Malaiyaha communities and asserted that no citizen would be treated as second-class under the Malima Government. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said teachers in the estate area face practical accommodation difficulties and proposed that unused official quarters on the estate be rented through the Ministry of Education and allocated to them until the estate requires them. He said he had discussed the matter with the Prime Minister and Minister Madhura Senanayake, and urged a cooperative approach to resolving such issues. Referring to a recent incident, he stated that suspects had been arrested the same day and alleged that estate management linked to senior political figures was responsible for driving people away while later seeking votes. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the Government is pursuing tailored interventions for plantation and other underserved communities, including housing, land, and recognition, and rejected claims that presidential visits are election-oriented. He stated that funding is not the main constraint for work in the upcountry, plantations, North, or East, but identified administrative weaknesses and inadequate needs-based implementation as obstacles. He cited the lack of teacher accommodation at Mooloya Estate despite the presence of a large school as an example of practical gaps requiring attention. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan noted that estate schools were incorporated into the national education system in 1947–48. His intervention highlighted the historical status of estate-sector education within the state system. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and Leader of the House JJB AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake supported the Motion, stating that the Government accepts its core concerns about poverty and structural injustice affecting hill country communities. He identified factors such as the 1948 Citizenship Act, plantation enclave structures, line-room housing, geographic isolation, and caste-based vulnerability as causes of long-term deprivation and statelessness. He said housing, land and education issues must be addressed sincerely, noting Cabinet discussions on teacher shortages in hill country schools and the generational impact of past exclusion from citizenship and free education. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa expressed support for proposals to empower hill country communities and criticised the Government for failing to ensure their security, deliver promised cyclone relief, and address estate housing and infrastructure needs. He cited the Hatton Manifesto, the Nilagama Estate assault, Cyclone Ditwa impacts, and unmet relief commitments following the March 2026 declaration with the President. He urged action on land ownership, housing, education, health, nutrition, and social welfare, proposing that estate workers be enabled to become land-owning smallholders while pledging Opposition support for tangible measures. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi responded to a Motion under Standing Order 19 on hill country issues, stating that despite past ministerial involvement by current Opposition representatives, unresolved problems remain in housing, land, roads, education, and health. She said the Government is acting under the Hatton Declaration and its policy programme, including steps to provide land deeds to over 500 schools in Nuwara Eliya, bring estate hospitals under the central Government, increase wages through the Budget, and begin housing construction. She highlighted ongoing housing projects for disaster-affected families at Kabaragala and Wolfrend, and called for cooperation in securing land ownership, services, and better prospects for hill country communities. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake asked whether, given the consensus on the term “Malaiyagam people,” the Government plans to include it in school textbooks and university courses. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan highlighted the longstanding deprivation of hill country Indian-origin Tamil communities and urged the Government to continue and expand initiatives begun by the Tamil Progressive Alliance, including plantation housing, land allocation, local government restructuring, new Divisional Secretariats and GN divisions, and the Hill Country Authority. He called for completing the remaining Indian-funded houses, increasing land allocations beyond ten perches, expanding Pradeshiya Sabhas and Divisional Secretariats in Nuwara Eliya, and properly funding mechanisms to improve livelihoods and services. He also referred to a recent meeting with the Minister of Public Security, stating that estate companies or others must not take the law into their own hands and that complaints involving hill country people should be handled by the Police. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →