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- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana criticized the Government’s education reforms, stating that the Opposition had moved a No-Confidence Motion against the Minister of Education and the Prime Minister over the process. He alleged that Comprehensive Sexuality Education content, including material on sexuality, gender identity and sexual orientation, was being introduced for Grade 6 and 7 students without adequate transparency, and called for the Minister’s resignation or support for the motion. He also raised concern over a reported assault on five students at Waters Edge on 12 September and urged Government action to protect students. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera criticized the Government’s proposed education reforms, arguing that they are unilateral, lack a regulatory framework, and undermine the principles of free education. He questioned whether Government members were being led toward authoritarian practices and urged them to oppose the reforms. He called on members to join a protest in Matugama at the statue of C.W.W. Kannangara to defend free education. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran supported the regulations under the Shops and Office Employees Act, noting women’s economic contribution and calling for protection of their rights, safety and basic pay. He urged that education reforms preserve Tamil identity, arts, culture, traditions and history, following discussions with the Prime Minister. He also questioned the requirement for low-revenue local authorities to contribute 20 per cent of employees’ salaries, saying they first need income-generating plans, and called for basic wages and pension schemes for three-wheeler drivers, farmers, fishers and similar workers. Debate: Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Regulation Amendment Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa said education reforms should be modernized to suit Sri Lanka’s culture and labour market needs, and argued that the Government and the Minister responsible must accept accountability for errors in related materials and policies. He questioned whether references to LGBTQ-related matters in tourism, disaster management regulations, and a Grade 6 textbook were accidental, and requested clarity on the Government’s position. He also demanded that the Select Committee on the release of 323 containers, including alleged narcotics-related containers, be convened immediately and that the proposed audit proceed. He further raised concerns about coal quality issues, alleged selective enforcement over illegal logging and wildlife offences, and requested inclusion of Opposition MPs in Galle District Development Committee work. Debate: Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Regulation Amendment Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne rejected claims of an internal NPP attempt to displace Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, stating that the party respects her role in women’s political advancement. She defended the Government’s education reforms as part of broader social transformation and said the Regulation under the Shop and Office Employees Act would strengthen women’s economic participation. She also highlighted Sri Lanka’s ratification of ILO Convention No. 190 on violence and harassment at work, noting its broad coverage and the need for workplace policies and complaint mechanisms. She added that the Government is preparing further legal reforms, including abolishing MPs’ pensions. Debate: Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Regulation Amendment Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar criticized the Government over the Grade 6 English textbook controversy involving a QR link associated with an LGBTQ logo, questioning accountability for any public expenditure losses arising from it. He then alleged irregularities in a coal procurement tender for the Lakvijaya/Norochcholai power plant, claiming that substandard, lower-calorific coal would increase consumption and impose significant additional costs. He argued that the tender should be cancelled rather than managed through penalties, tabled a port status document, and demanded an immediate suspension of the tender and a shift to quality-assured procurement. Debate: Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Regulation Amendment Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that, as the National Institute of Education is a statutory body governed by its Council, any disciplinary action against officials must be decided by the Council, following a primary inquiry led by former Secretary Ranjith Ariyaratne. She also clarified that the Dharma Chakra/Ashoka Chakra symbol used in the book was the officially approved emblem of the Ministry of Buddhist Affairs, endorsed by its Advisory Council on Buddhism and affirmed by the Mahanayake Theros of Asgiriya and Malwathu. Ministerial Statement: Education Reform Issues Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s handling of irregularities in education module preparation, arguing that accountability should extend beyond the NIE Director-General to other officials involved in preparing and overseeing the material. He highlighted continuing errors in the modules, including the use of the Ashoka Chakra instead of the Dharma Chakra in a Buddhism-related module, and asked whether any religious advisory body had approved it. He called for structured consultation on education reforms, correction of the identified mistakes, and opposed removing History from the optional subjects framework while supporting necessary modernization. Ministerial Statement: Education Reform Issues Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister said there is no suspension of the 2026 education reforms and that 106 trilingual Grade 1 and Grade 6 modules have been prepared, with an inappropriate web reference removed from an English module. She stated the reforms are part of a long-delayed system-wide transformation based on earlier policy and curriculum work, supported by pilots, reviews, teacher training, and new guidance to discontinue embedded web links in future modules. She added that modules will be distributed by 21 January 2026, Grade 6 will begin on 21 January and Grade 1 on 29 January, while pending teacher training, digital equipment distribution, and internet connectivity expansion are being completed to support implementation. Ministerial Statement: Education Reform Issues Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence stated that the President and relevant teams had held discussions with the concerned ministries regarding land-related issues, noting that similar matters exist beyond Polonnaruwa and that evaluations are being expedited where immediate resolution is not possible. He also said assistance for schoolchildren had largely been paid in accordance with the relevant circular, with remaining disbursements being made promptly and properly. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson raised concerns about paddy farmers affected by the 28 November cyclone, citing 106,080 farmers and 56,116 hectares of damaged land, with some fields expected to remain uncultivable for two to three seasons. He asked whether, beyond the announced Rs. 150,000 per hectare compensation, a special programme with monthly livelihood assistance would be provided, noting that many farmers had not yet received payments and that the compensation was insufficient for re-cultivation. He also highlighted the loss of schoolchildren’s books and uniforms in the disaster. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Sudarshana supported the Adjournment Motion on child protection, noting that despite existing ministry officers at divisional level, gaps remain in providing safe environments for children, particularly after school hours in urban, plantation, and other high-risk areas. He proposed developing local authority pre-schools and day-care centres into safe centres with provincial and local government coordination, and exploring after-school protection programmes within schools in collaboration with the Education Ministry. He endorsed a pilot project for protective centres in the Dehiwala Divisional Secretariat area due to drug-related risks and cramped housing, with a view to evaluating and scaling the programme to other districts, including the North and East. Adjournment Motion: Child Safety in Urban Housing Complexes Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Hon. Krishnan Kalaichelvi supported the Adjournment Motion, arguing that the State must provide safe after-school spaces for children, particularly in estate, rural and urban areas where parents are absent due to work. She said such programmes should protect children from risks including sexual violence, while supporting their education, health, sports and cultural development. Adjournment Motion: Child Safety in Urban Housing Complexes Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha moved a proposal to establish daytime safe centres or after-school centres for children in densely populated urban areas, housing complexes, and other high-risk environments. She argued that children left unsupervised after school are vulnerable to abuse, narcotics-related influences, unsafe surroundings, and excessive phone use while parents or guardians are at work. She proposed using existing government institutions, coordinated through Divisional Secretariats with Child Development Officers and Probation Officers, and supported by relevant ministries and Provincial Councils, to provide protection as well as creative, cultural, and personality development programmes under an appropriate legal and policy framework. Adjournment Motion: Child Safety in Urban Housing Complexes Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake urged the Government to prioritize public transport investment, including procuring more SLTB buses and using funds earmarked for 1,600 cabs to operate short buses on underserved routes, especially after cyclone damage. He criticized education reforms that require parents to fund costly smart boards, arguing this would burden less affluent schools despite links to a US$300 million programme. He also called for immediate changes to Foreign Employment Bureau rules limiting applications for Israel jobs, saying bureaucratic restrictions reduce opportunities and remittances, and urged lowering legal arrack prices to curb deaths from illicit liquor. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised administrative concerns relating to the Department of Motor Traffic, requesting that vehicle ownership transfers, revenue licence waiver letters, and related services be fully restored to regional offices to reduce delays, corruption allegations, and loss of revenue. He urged urgent resolution of the suspension of permanent number plate issuance, noting that many vehicles are using temporary paper numbers and calling for accountability over a previous contract he said increased costs substantially. He also raised concerns about vacancies and appointments in the English education administration, alleged irregularities in English module preparation, and requested investigations. Additionally, he questioned the involvement of organizations in sexuality and gender education content for minors, citing international standards on parental consent and safeguards. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Supported Motor Traffic Act regulations aimed at improving public safety, while raising district-level concerns regarding the Kurinchakeni Bridge ferry service in Kinniya. Requested a 20-metre jetty and additional staff so the ferry, on which about Rs. 70 million has been spent, can operate effectively. Objected to the reported transfer of land in Upparu, Kinniya, originally identified for an Eastern Province technical college under a 2017 Cabinet decision and 2018 Budget allocation, to the Tourism Ministry under a 2025 Cabinet decision. Urged the Government to resume and complete the vocational education institute at the intended location, and called for an end to the alleged politicization of local administration through “Prajā Shakthi” units, emphasizing respect for elected local representatives. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister said preschool teachers are in a privately run sector under State regulation and therefore cannot be paid as members of a closed public service, but noted that their stipend has been increased to Rs. 6,000. She outlined plans, in discussion with the Ministry of Education, to professionalize the sector through NVQ certification, higher diploma and possible degree pathways, and a closed service framework. She also said preschools are monitored through MOHs, nutrition support has been increased by raising the breakfast allowance from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100 for undernourished children, and relevant institutions are coordinating to improve teacher quality and preschool nutrition. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministerial Statements Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition urged the Government to develop a national policy for preschool education, citing long-standing informality, commercialization, unregulated fees, and inadequate pay and job security for teachers and caretakers. He argued that early childhood education should receive centralized national intervention rather than fragmented provincial approaches, given the importance of brain development before age five. He also proposed free and equitable preschool education and a national preschool nutrition programme in coordination with health authorities to address malnutrition. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministerial Statements Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj replied to a Standing Order 27(2) question, stating that Sri Lanka has 18,982 preschools and that no eligible preschool teacher has been excluded from the stipend scheme, which was increased by Rs. 6,000 from June. She said preschools are a Provincial subject under the 13th Amendment, but the Government is working towards a national preschool programme through a National Policy and National Statute, including common standards for teacher diplomas, registration, curriculum implementation and teacher training. She outlined plans for infrastructure support through grants, loans and local authorities, and said a contributory pension scheme for preschool teachers is being proposed in line with the 2025-2029 Early Childhood Care and Development action plan. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministerial Statements Read →