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- 3 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said the Government is working to induct graduates into nursing and create a pathway for diploma-trained nurses to upgrade to degree level. He stated that discussions began in September-November 2024 under the then Health portfolio held by the Prime Minister, and that a joint Education/Higher Education and Health committee is handling the matter. He noted that the process involves upgrading existing nursing schools to degree-awarding status, improving staff and facilities, and establishing frameworks for absorbing graduates into the public service, but said no exact timeline can yet be given. Oral Question: Nursing Service (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake asked the Minister of Health about the delay in upgrading nursing education in Sri Lanka from diploma to degree level, noting that the World Bank had recommended this as early as 1963. He referred to discussions with the Education Minister on 16 March 2025 and the appointment of an advisory committee, and requested clarification on the current obstacles to implementing degree-level nursing nationally. Oral Question: Nursing Service (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa answered a question on the Nursing Service, stating that it formally began in 1939 with structured nursing education at the Colombo School of Nursing and that, as at 30 September 2025, Sri Lanka had 43,553 nurses across central and provincial services. He outlined nurses’ core functions, recruitment criteria for A/L-qualified and graduate entrants, district and stream-based selection methods, and gender quotas. He also detailed post-basic training programmes and further education opportunities, including nursing degrees, study leave, and lateral entry to universities. Oral Question: Nursing Service (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary On behalf of the Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour and Human Resources Development, Chanaka Madugoda presented the Committee’s report on the 2022 and 2023 Annual Reports and Accounts of Sabaragamuwa University, Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, and Wayamba University. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers: Regulations, Reports and Orders Tabled Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan urged the Government to treat the coal procurement allegations as an opportunity for correction, particularly on procurement procedure, Public Finance Committee advice, coal quality, and risks to the power sector, rather than merely rejecting Opposition criticism. He questioned whether imports should continue if reports of substandard coal shipments are accurate, and said the Government must meet public expectations for clean governance after its large mandate. He also requested electricity expansion in vulnerable villages affected by wildlife threats and coordination between the Power and Wildlife Ministers, and called for public examinations to be adapted for visually impaired students by avoiding map- and image-based questions. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a supplementary question regarding the vandalism of the Lalith Athulathmudali statue at the University of Peradeniya four years earlier and the alleged failure to acknowledge him as the originator of the Mahapola scheme. He requested the Prime Minister, in his capacity as Minister of Education and Higher Education, to ensure disciplinary action and restore official recognition to the scheme’s founder. Oral Question: Mahapola Trust Fund (Q.472/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa acknowledged the value of the Mahapola Scholarship Fund established under Hon. Lalith Athulathmudali and noted that many Members may have benefited from it. He stated that the Minister of Trade, as a member of the Mahapola Trust Fund, would provide a response later, and that he would convey the Member’s proposal to him. Oral Question: Mahapola Trust Fund (Q.472/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake cited Lalith Athulathmudali’s programme as having benefited 418,637 economically challenged students and noted the gap between Advanced Level pass rates and State university admissions. He asked the Minister of Trade and the Prime Minister whether a university could be established in Athulathmudali’s honour to further his educational vision. Oral Question: Mahapola Trust Fund (Q.472/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The Minister, on behalf of the Minister of Trade, provided details on the Lalith Athulathmudali Mahapola Trust Fund in response to Question No. 472/2025, including the current Board of Trustees, their appointing authorities under the amended Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund Act, and the Fund’s value of Rs. 21.6 billion as at 31 December 2025. He tabled income, expenditure, scholarship payment, and recipient data, noting annual Fund income estimates of Rs. 4.768 billion in 2025, scholarship expenditure of Rs. 2.215 billion up to November 2025, and 19,500 scholarships awarded in 2025. He stated that 418,637 students had received Mahapola scholarships from 1981 to 2025, and that detailed annexes with annual accounts and scholarship numbers were tabled and placed in the Library. Oral Question: Mahapola Trust Fund (Q.472/2025) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth urged the Government to improve sports infrastructure in Pottuvil, including a modern sports ground, a sports complex, school playgrounds, completion of existing grounds, and the prompt appointment of a sports officer to the Divisional Secretariat. He also called for a Youth Vocational Training Centre and equipment support for local youth training facilities, noting the large number of youth and sports clubs in the area. He requested that the Government purchase wet paddy at a guaranteed price due to heavy rains preventing farmers from drying their harvest, and asked for appointments for candidates who passed the Eastern Provincial graduate teacher recruitment examination but remain unappointed due to cited vacancy issues. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa objected to the prohibition of Opposition questions on education matters and tabled the relevant letter in Parliament. He argued that the Opposition was raising national policy issues, not personal or inappropriate matters, and criticized what he described as unequal treatment allowing the Government wider speaking freedom while restricting Opposition questions. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman criticised members who, in his view, now express concern for schoolchildren and public services despite past actions during the 1987–88 period, including encouraging students to abandon schooling during protests over the Indo–Lanka Accord. He also accused them of inconsistency on military involvement, saying they previously opposed training for the armed forces as militarisation but now support using the army for tasks such as mosquito control. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act and Related Orders (Main Business) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education presented the 2024 Annual Report of the Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka and the 2024 Annual Report and Accounts of the Postgraduate Institute of English of the Open University of Sri Lanka. She moved that both reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, and the motion was agreed to. Opening and Papers Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Over 1,656 Carnatic Music graduates are said to be available, with Mullaitivu able to meet its own staffing needs, but the current Gazette reportedly prevents their recruitment. The Prime Minister is urged to correct the allocation process quickly to prevent the Vanni from being disadvantaged. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran argued that repealing parliamentary pensions could discourage civil servants and professionals from entering politics, and proposed either a contributory pension scheme for MPs or reabsorption into previous civil service posts after political service. He said equality in the Vanni requires fair resource allocation rather than repeated aid deliveries, and questioned the absence of a proper transfer policy for Development Officers, including excess staffing in Jaffna. He also raised concerns about the 02.02.2026 graduate teacher recruitment Gazette, stating that Northern Province applicants were excluded for Hindu Civilization and Karnatic Music despite shortages in several districts and education zones, and requested urgent correction of the imbalance. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Regarding the proposed common syllabus for Arabic colleges, Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah said discussions had continued for six to seven years and were delayed by differences between the Ministry of Education-appointed panel and the Muslim Cultural Department. He requested that around 80 long-operating Arabic colleges be registered together with the existing 320 registered institutions, with the common syllabus and any new rules or legislation applied once adopted. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Qur'an Madrasas Registration Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary Approval can be granted for registering Qur’an madrasas, and that process is continuing, while the main outstanding issue concerns Arabic colleges. Following initiatives begun in April 2024 and accelerated by the current President in October 2025, legislation and curriculum revisions are being finalized for madrasas and Arabic colleges, with 321 Arabic colleges registered and about 82 applications pending. Three review committees are working on regularization measures, and the Minister said he would intervene to expedite completion of the Bill, curriculum, and registration process. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Qur'an Madrasas Registration Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah raised a matter under Standing Order 27(2) concerning the suspension, since a 2020 Ministry instruction, of registration for madrasas and Arabic colleges by the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs. He argued that, unlike comparable institutions registered under other religious affairs departments, the halt has created difficulties relating to certificate recognition, employment and higher education, administration, banking, funding, and donations. He asked the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs whether approval could be facilitated to resume registration and what steps had been taken to address the issue. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Qur'an Madrasas Registration Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government is taking measures to develop sports in the North and East, including introducing and supporting leather-ball cricket in districts such as Trincomalee and Ampara. He said equipment has been provided, budget allocations have been made to identify deficiencies in school cricket facilities, and necessary renovations are planned to be completed within the year. Oral Question: McHeyzer Stadium, Trincomalee - Development (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof highlighted sporting achievements by youth and schools in Trincomalee District, including Soranagal Al-Ameen Maha Vidyalaya winning the 18th All-Island Football Championship, while noting the absence of a fully equipped stadium in the district. He asked whether the Ministry is working with schools to rehabilitate school grounds and support sports infrastructure for students from areas such as Kinniya, Mutur, Thoppur, Kuchchaveli and Kantale. Oral Question: McHeyzer Stadium, Trincomalee - Development (Q.7/2025) Read →