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- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns under Standing Order 27(2) about the rollout of new subject-module reforms, particularly the Grade 6 English module, arguing that problems may affect children’s educational rights and calling for education, health, and related areas to be recognized as fundamental rights. He questioned the Government on the studies, standards, and procedures used to develop the syllabus and select website references, including whether any procurement process or financial benefit to private entities was involved. He also sought details on teacher training, ICT facilities, school infrastructure readiness, funding for future terms, and transparency over the framework for including or changing module content. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministerial Statements Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary Hostel shortages in universities were acknowledged, with the Minister noting that 60–65 per cent of students currently receive hostel accommodation. He stated that a plan to build 55 hostels is underway, allocation is based on programme needs, and the UGC is preparing a hostel policy following initial discussions. He said the specific concern raised would be referred to the UGC within that policy framework. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Nanda Bandara JJB AI summary Hon. Nanda Bandara raised concerns that public servants, particularly in the education sector, may have multiple children in higher education at the same time and face hardship due to inadequate hostel facilities. He asked whether the relevant regulations could be amended to give priority for hostel accommodation to the children of public servants. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary The matter had been discussed during pre-Budget consultations. He said it could be taken up with the UGC Management Committee for further discussion and action in line with the proposal. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Nanda Bandara JJB AI summary Hon. Nanda Bandara asked whether the Government would address situations where children of public servants are denied Grade 5 scholarship benefits and later university bursaries because one or both parents are in public service. He requested steps to rectify these eligibility issues. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister, responding on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, provided admission figures for UGC universities and related institutions for 2023/2024 and 2024/2025, noting that the 2025 admissions process is still ongoing. He stated that children of public servants are not separately identified at the university application stage, but gave Mahapola, bursary and hostel data, including 1,863 Mahapola selections from 5,232 public-servant children applicants in 2023/2024 and ongoing selections for 2024/2025. He outlined current hostel capacity, an estimated shortfall of about 16,000 places, and a 2026–2030 plan to construct 55 hostels with Rs. 1,500 million allocated in 2026, while also detailing institution-specific scholarship and accommodation arrangements. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Annual Report and Annual Accounts for 2023 of the National Institute of Human Resource Development of the University of Colombo were presented. It was proposed that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour Force and Human Capital Development, and the House agreed. Papers Presented Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara welcomed efforts to attract investment to the Port City by reducing unnecessary burdens, while urging that national policy avoid creating international controversies, particularly over Government-linked statements on Venezuela that he said could affect Sri Lanka’s foreign relations and security. He criticized elements in Grade 6 English textbooks and related education policy, calling for broader consultation, cultural safeguards, and a focus on vocational excellence without normalizing practices he opposed. He questioned disaster-relief allocations in Anuradhapura, alleging many affected families and students were excluded from compensation after recent cyclone damage. He also raised health-sector concerns, including the non-functioning radiotherapy machine at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, and asked the Government to provide the required equipment and services without political bias. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera supported the amendments to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, stating that Port City is a key vehicle for attracting FDI within a context of restored macroeconomic stability. He highlighted provisions on employment tax treatment, offshore banking regulation, prudential standards, and ex-post monitoring of Businesses of Strategic Importance to ensure tax incentives are performance-linked. Citing IMF assessments and 2025 indicators, he argued that Sri Lanka had achieved stronger-than-projected growth, fiscal consolidation, remittances, tourism, and FDI, enabling cyclone relief through a Treasury cash buffer. He also noted the need to continue education reforms begun in 2019 to align the system with future needs. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera JJB AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera said the Government is considering how to address both the teacher shortage and recruitment needs of the National Cadet Corps. He stated that discussions are under way with the Secretaries to the Ministries of Education and Defence to develop a fair procedure for releasing some teachers and assigning new recruits. He also noted that amendments to the National Cadet Corps Act are being pursued to improve fairness in the process. Oral Question: Establishment of National Cadet Corps (Q.1635/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Ruwan Wijeweera asked the Deputy Minister what steps are being taken to facilitate the release of qualified Cadet Officers from the Ministry of Education for mobilization into active service with the National Cadet Corps or Tri-Forces. He noted that although a process exists for releasing teachers for cadet-related active service, many applicants are facing difficulties obtaining approval. Oral Question: Establishment of National Cadet Corps (Q.1635/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera noted that teachers serving as Cadet Officers carry out year-round National Cadet Corps duties, including drills, training sessions, and camps, while also meeting their regular teaching responsibilities without special concessions. He asked what measures are being taken, in the current socio-economic context, to attract and retain teachers as Cadet Officers amid declining participation. Oral Question: Establishment of National Cadet Corps (Q.1635/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Defence, the Deputy Minister outlined provisions of the National Service and Reserve Forces Act, No. 40 of 1985, and provided current figures for the National Cadet Corps, including 3,092 Cadet Officers, 148 officers released by the Ministry of Education for active service, 2,256 participating schools, and 4,599 active cadet units. He stated that modernization measures have begun, including proposed amendments to the Act, revised training and assessment methods, expanded use of Rantembe and Mullaitivu camps, reduced cadet expenses, greater involvement of school teachers, resumption of the National Cadet Sports Tournament, and integration of technology into the curriculum. Oral Question: Establishment of National Cadet Corps (Q.1635/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL CADET CORPS: OBJECTIVES AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera asked the Minister of Defence for details on the National Cadet Corps, including the establishing Act, its objectives, current numbers of cadet officers and Ministry of Education-released officers, and the number of participating schools and cadet units. He also requested information on whether and how the Corps’ activities are being modernized to meet current needs, and if not, the reasons for the lack of modernization. Oral Question: Establishment of National Cadet Corps (Q.1635/2025) Read →
- 7 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 the Education Ministry’s concept paper had been shared with Members and remained open for further discussion, stressing that it sets out a strategic framework and does not include lesson content. She stated that an inquiry had been initiated into how NIE procedures were breached in preparing a contentious module, with a retired Secretary appointed to conduct a preliminary inquiry, and noted that the book was sealed, not distributed, and the lesson approved for removal. She requested that the web link not be further publicized while corrective action is underway and invited constructive proposals to strengthen the process. Oral Questions: Prime Minister Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa criticized the education reform process, saying the error of embedding a website into a module could have been avoided through a formal Green Paper/White Paper process and public consultation rather than a limited presentation-based approach. He called for comprehensive, globally aligned reforms developed through structured dialogue with experts and stakeholders, while retaining compulsory History and preventing links to inappropriate websites. He asked the Prime Minister whether the Government would reorient the reform process through a formal White Paper and consultation mechanism. Oral Questions: Prime Minister Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister stated that a lesson identified as inappropriate, though presented as hypothetical, had been sealed and its distribution withheld after the Ministry was notified. She said the NIE Academic Advisory Board approved the Ministry’s recommendation to remove the lesson, and confirmed that it would be removed. Oral Questions: Prime Minister Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper raised a supplementary question regarding a school module that asks students to share personal details such as height and weight and to interact through the defunct platform eBuddy.com. He asked whether the Prime Minister would remove the full content encouraging such online interaction, rather than only the specific page in question. Oral Questions: Prime Minister Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister stated that the Education Ministry limits collection of student data, keeps programme-related data confidential, and requires written parental consent before sharing student information, in line with the Personal Data Protection Act, No. 9 of 2022. She said those involved in the Grade Six English module had relevant academic and professional qualifications and were recruited under approved procedures. Addressing the contested activity, she said it did not require students to disclose personal information, but was deemed inappropriate in context; the module has been sealed, not distributed, and the relevant lesson approved for removal by the NIE Academic Advisory Board. Oral Questions: Prime Minister Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper asked the Prime Minister whether the Government accepts that children’s personal information, beyond basic identification and emergency contacts, should be treated as private and confidential under international child protection and data privacy standards. He further inquired whether the Grade Six English language module was prepared by qualified experts in child psychology and pedagogy, and whether any issue had arisen with the module due to failure to follow such standards. Oral Questions: Prime Minister Read →