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- 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, in her capacity as Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, presented the 2024 annual reports and accounts of three university institutions and proposed their referral to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour Force and Human Capital, which was agreed to. She also tabled a report on virement transfers under the Veeramohan Programme for July to September 2025, as required under the State Accounts Management Act and the Appropriation Act. Papers Presented Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Moved approval of the President’s Proclamation bringing Part II of the Public Security Ordinance into operation nationwide from 28 December 2025, seeking a one-month extension of emergency powers following Cyclone “Dicha.” She cited continuing displacement, damaged housing, landslide risks, the need for NBRO assessments before resettlement, uninterrupted essential services, and the continued operation of the Commissioner-General of Essential Services, while stating the powers would not be used for other purposes. She also addressed concerns over the Grade 6 English module, saying an investigation is under way through the NIE’s statutory procedures, the book has not been distributed, and disciplinary action will follow the findings. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri criticised the Government for raising kerosene and diesel prices while claiming to support the fisheries sector, and questioned whether promised services such as SMS alerts on fish locations had been implemented. He also challenged the Government’s disaster-relief commitments after Cyclone “Dicha” and related floods and landslides, citing specific affected households in Passara and Rajanganaya and asking when promised compensation would be paid and whether eligibility would be applied fairly. He further alleged problems in education policy content and internal political motives within the governing side, before stating that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya would form a competent team to rebuild the economy. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticized the implementation of current education reforms, alleging lack of transparency, inadequate consultation, confusion caused by repeated circulars, missing timetables, delayed uniforms, and insufficient teacher materials for Grade 6 students. She questioned the role of external or political groups in drafting reforms, objected to content and links in the Grade 6 English module, and asked whether official policy was being shaped outside the Ministry, National Education Commission and NIE. She alleged misuse of public funds in printing modules, citing Section 111 of the Anti-Corruption Act, and requested investigations into external printing, costs, errors in modules, the absence of pilots, and ADB-linked funding. She tabled documents and modules, stated that some materials were well written, and argued that aspects of the reforms may violate provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa argued that fisheries regulations would be ineffective without practical implementation, citing declines in inland and marine fisheries and asking for a clear plan to restore livelihoods affected by floods, landslides and breaches such as Seruwila and Mawil Aru. He criticized delays and reductions in disaster relief, alleged politically motivated use of police and regulatory bodies, and questioned investigations involving media, drugs, and law enforcement transfers. He demanded accountability from the Education Ministry and the Prime Minister over Grade 6 textbook QR-code content and urged that education reforms reflect labour-market needs while respecting culture and religious advice. He also asked the Government to reconsider transferring Civil Security Department personnel away from their local communities and to address pending Korean employment placements fairly. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister presented the 2023 annual reports of the National Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences and the Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Peradeniya. She moved that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Presidential Message, Auditor-General Reports, and Annual Reports Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that Sri Lanka’s response to Cyclone Ditwah must be grounded in scientific data, expert analysis, and national consensus rather than ad hoc relief activity or casual public discussion. He cited estimates of extreme rainfall and potential energy to illustrate the scale of the disaster and called for scientific planning, regional cooperation, and responsible leadership to address future severe weather events. He also noted, for the record, the close approach of the interstellar object Comet 3I/ATLAS being observed internationally. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna expressed condolences for those killed and missing due to Cyclone “Dicha” and thanked officials, security forces, clergy, medical staff, and the public for relief efforts in Matale District. She said widespread landslides and ground collapses in the Central Highlands, including the Knuckles range, require permanent engineering solutions and a national plan developed jointly by Government and Opposition rather than temporary flood measures. She urged coordination with religious institutions to relocate displaced persons from schools so examinations and reopening can proceed, and called for support to farmers whose fields and wells are filled with sand, including stopping fines for sand removal or having the Government clear the land itself. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya – Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya outlined the Government’s response three weeks after Cyclone “BOO,” citing rescue and relief work by state institutions, security forces, citizens, the international community and others, and noting continuing risks such as landslides that led to the closure of all schools in the Central Province. She said the Supplementary Estimate would support recovery and rebuilding through 2026, with Rs. 75 billion set aside in 2025 and Rs. 500 billion in 2026 while maintaining macroeconomic targets. On education, she reported that 1,382 government schools and several universities, technical colleges and vocational training centres had been affected, announced support of Rs. 25,000 for each affected student, and emphasized psychosocial wellbeing, scientific relocation and standards-based rebuilding. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth thanked ministers, MPs, local authority officials, youths and community leaders involved in relief and clean-up work following the recent disaster, particularly in Kandy District and the Eastern Province. He raised the collapse of buildings at Pottuvil Usmaniya Vidyalaya, noting that seven of ten classrooms serving 237 students had collapsed, and welcomed the Eastern Provincial Education Ministry’s Rs. 1 million allocation for temporary sheds to resume classes. He requested government assessment and reconstruction of structurally unsafe buildings at Pottuvil Al-Aqsa Vidyalaya and Minaul Uloom Vidyalaya, and called for subsidies or assistance for affected fishermen, farmers and livestock breeders. He also urged urgent payment of previously promised Rs. 400,000 compensation to 15 Pottuvil fishermen who lost boats and gear in a mini-cyclone the previous year. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera raised concerns that disaster relief promised by the President may be limited by subsequent circulars and implementation conditions. He requested that the Rs. 25,000 cleaning grant and the proposed Rs. 50,000 assistance cover not only flood-affected homes but also houses damaged by landslides and strong winds, with fewer documentation barriers for estate communities and mobile disbursement where possible. He also urged reassessment and protective works for high-risk schools in Yatiyantota, including Malalpola Vidyalaya, so relocated students can continue education safely. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir AI summary Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir expressed condolences to those affected by floods and landslides and called for national unity beyond party and ethnic divisions in rescue and rebuilding efforts. He thanked political leaders and party colleagues for his appointment to Parliament and noted relief work led by Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen in affected regions. He argued that village-level State officials such as Grama Niladharis, Samurdhi Officers and Development Officers should be promptly empowered to improve communication and reduce suffering. He also outlined his political career in local and provincial government and emphasized his long-standing work across communities in Puttalam. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Ministry and UGC are preparing guidelines and minimum standards to support the disability-admissions policy, including accessibility requirements for new buildings. She said directions have been issued to ensure future actions comply with the policy and that comprehensive guidelines will be finalized within the next year. Oral Question: Development Officers Attached to National Schools and Provincial Schools (Q.1309/2025) Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva raised concerns about students facing barriers to education due to lack of accessible instructional mediums, such as Braille and sign language, and inadequate physical access to campuses and hostels. He asked what measures the Ministry and the University Grants Commission would take to address these accessibility issues. Oral Question: Development Officers Attached to National Schools and Provincial Schools (Q.1309/2025) Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government would establish support units for students with disabilities in universities in a phased manner. She said universities must be equipped not only to admit such students but also to provide ongoing support, including necessary equipment and devices funded through allocated resources. Oral Question: Development Officers Attached to National Schools and Provincial Schools (Q.1309/2025) Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva welcomed measures to admit students with disabilities and provide courses and learning support. He asked whether facilities and human-resource units similar to the centre at the University of Colombo would be established in other universities to support inclusive education. Oral Question: Development Officers Attached to National Schools and Provincial Schools (Q.1309/2025) Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister provided details on university students with disabilities, noting UGC categories for visually impaired students and students with physical disabilities, recent admission numbers, and the absence of a dedicated disability enrolment mechanism at the Buddhist and Pali University. She explained the UGC’s special admission channel, including stream placements, severity-based assessment for physical disabilities, and Arts placements for Braille candidates, while noting there is no separate quota beyond this scheme. She stated that inclusive support measures are handled by individual universities and that the UGC plans to expand access to additional degree programmes from the 2024 A/L intake and to all first degree programmes from the 2025 A/L intake, subject to relevant approvals. Oral Question: Development Officers Attached to National Schools and Provincial Schools (Q.1309/2025) Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to provide detailed information on students with disabilities enrolled in State universities, including numbers by university and disability type. He also sought clarification on admission methodology, any quota system, steps to update and streamline enrolment, and whether inclusive study methods have been implemented. The question further requested details on whether students with disabilities can choose any subject stream, what streams they currently follow, and reasons for any limitations or non-selection of certain streams. Oral Question: Development Officers Attached to National Schools and Provincial Schools (Q.1309/2025) Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Recruitment will include an interview after the examination as a second stage. School-based experience, including service by Development Officers functioning as teachers, will be credited, and candidates will make a presentation on the role and functioning of a teacher in a school. Oral Question: Development Officers Attached to National Schools and Provincial Schools (Q.1309/2025) Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi asked whether Development Officers who have served in schools and taught for around 12 years since 2013 could receive special consideration in the teacher selection process, while maintaining fairness for all graduates. He noted their classroom experience and thanked the authorities for efforts to fill teacher vacancies quickly. Oral Question: Development Officers Attached to National Schools and Provincial Schools (Q.1309/2025) Read →