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- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi JJB AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi asked whether graduates recruited as Development Officers and attached to national and provincial schools after 2012 under the Unified Service could be given a special opportunity for absorption into the Teachers’ Service. He noted that earlier cohorts attached in 1999 and 2005 as Development Assistants, Development Programme Assistants and Finance Assistants had been directly absorbed by 2007 under previous ministerial arrangements. 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 Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya provided figures on Development Officers attached to National and Provincial Council schools, stating that 2,939 were assigned to National Schools and 20,102 to Provincial Council schools, with about 1,992 currently serving in National Schools after transfers and releases. She said Development Officers may enter the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service in accordance with judicial orders and the Teachers’ Service Minute. She explained that recruitment examinations had been delayed due to Supreme Court and Court of Appeal proceedings, but following Cabinet approval and the conclusion of the Court of Appeal matter on 20 November 2025, recruitment to Grade 3-I (a) with revised age limits and separate examinations would proceed. 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 Chandana Sooriyaarachchi asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education for details on Development Officers attached to national and provincial schools, including total numbers and year-by-year appointments. He sought clarification on whether these officers could receive relief or consideration in filling teacher vacancies, and asked about the status and outcome of the Supreme Court case concerning the competitive examination for recruiting teachers to government schools. Oral Question: Development Officers Attached to National Schools and Provincial Schools (Q.1309/2025) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the Budget debate was necessarily being shaped by the recent natural disaster and outlined the Government’s focus on urgent relief, temporary measures, and longer-term reconstruction under the “Rebuild the Nation” programme. He reported uneven impacts in the Northern Province, with limited damage in Jaffna, some flooding and access issues in Kilinochchi and Vavuniya, and severe flooding in Mannar and Mullaitivu, particularly Mannar where 83 camps were operating and about 150 of 162 GN divisions were under water. He noted that MPs, officials, volunteers and district authorities were coordinating relief and recovery efforts. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya responded that concerns raised about the history curriculum would be conveyed to the relevant course team and considered by education experts responsible for curriculum development and module review. She stated that history is presented as Sri Lankan history encompassing all communities, rather than as separate Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim histories. Oral Question by Private Notice: History of Tamil Kings in School Curriculum Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan corrected the Prime Minister’s account of Tamil historical periods, distinguishing the Sangam, Post-Sangam, Chola and Nayakar periods and noting that figures such as Kulakkottan, Pararajasekaran, Cankiliyan and Pandara Vanniyan form part of Tamil historical identity. He said lessons on Pandara Vanniyan and Cankiliyan that existed in earlier Tamil curricula had been removed, and requested that these elements of Tamil history be reinstated in the curriculum. Oral Question by Private Notice: History of Tamil Kings in School Curriculum Read →
- 3 December 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that works by Tamil artists are included in modern art studies as part of a broad Sri Lankan artistic tradition, without ethnic or religious categorisation. She said Tamil visual arts scholars have been involved in curriculum and teacher guide preparation since 2015, and that the new education reform review panels also include Tamil-medium experts to revise visual arts materials. Oral Question by Private Notice: History of Tamil Kings in School Curriculum Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister answered a Standing Order 27(2) question by Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan, stating that Tamil rulers and polities, including the Jaffna Kingdom, the Vanniyars and Sankili rulers, are included in the current and reformed History curriculum as part of Sri Lankan history rather than as a separate ethnic history. She outlined National Museums holdings and publications relating to Tamil history, including inscriptions, Hindu religious artefacts, Setu coins, palm-leaf manuscripts and scholarly works. She also stated that the reformed Art curriculum includes South Indian and wider Indian artistic traditions and their influence on Sri Lankan art, including Hindu iconography and sites such as the Polonnaruwa Siva Devalaya. Oral Question by Private Notice: History of Tamil Kings in School Curriculum Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan, raising a question under Standing Order 27(2), asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education about the inclusion of Tamil history in the school curriculum. He argued that the histories of Tamil rulers and figures such as Sankili, Pandara Vanniyan, Nallanaachiyar, Ellalan and Arumuga Navalar have been omitted or reduced in textbooks, particularly since the 1980s. He asked whether the Government would include these histories in History, Tamil and Art subjects, give separate recognition to Tamil history, and ensure the preservation of Tamil historical symbols, inscriptions and ola manuscripts. Oral Question by Private Notice: History of Tamil Kings in School Curriculum Read →
- 3 December 2025 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 Ministry of Education does not currently regulate private education institutions, and that policy formulation on such regulation has been referred to the National Education Commission. She indicated that further measures could be taken once the policy is formulated, and that the remaining part of the question was not applicable. Oral Questions: Multiple Questions Nos. 3, 4, 5 and Private Notice Question (Q.27/2) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan (on behalf of the Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam) ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan, on behalf of Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education whether the Government accepts that private education institutions contribute significantly to education but face problems due to the absence of a regulatory legal framework. He sought an acknowledgement that quality standards, teacher qualifications, infrastructure and basic health facilities in such institutions receive insufficient attention, and requested details of proposed remedial actions and their timeframe. Oral Questions: Multiple Questions Nos. 3, 4, 5 and Private Notice Question (Q.27/2) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan asked the Prime Minister to establish, through the Divisional Secretary and Government Agent, a mechanism to make appropriate arrangements for affected students during the examination period. Oral Question: O/L Applicants of Sarawanabawa Vidyalaya, Eluvaitivu Island (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government would look into providing improved transport support for students who need to travel to Kayts. Oral Question: O/L Applicants of Sarawanabawa Vidyalaya, Eluvaitivu Island (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Asked whether special boat transport arrangements would be made during the examination period for students travelling to St. Anthony’s College, Kayts, given the difficulties they face in reaching and staying near the exam centre. Oral Question: O/L Applicants of Sarawanabawa Vidyalaya, Eluvaitivu Island (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary There are two government schools on Eluvaitivu Island, including Sarawanabawa College, which has existed since 1999 but has not been designated as a GCE (Ordinary Level) examination centre. Students sit the examination at St. Anthony’s College, Kayts, because candidate numbers from the school are low and have declined to five in 2024, so they are assigned to the nearest centre. Oral Question: O/L Applicants of Sarawanabawa Vidyalaya, Eluvaitivu Island (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education to provide details on education and examination arrangements on Eluvaitivu Island in the Jaffna District. He requested the number of government schools, the last year Sarawanabawa Vidyalaya students sat for the GCE Ordinary Level examination at the school’s own centre, the current examination centre used by those students, and the obstacles to holding the examination on the island. Oral Question: O/L Applicants of Sarawanabawa Vidyalaya, Eluvaitivu Island (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera disputed a claim that Prof. Udugamasooriya had prepared an adopted National Science Policy free of charge, stating that the document referred to was only a manifesto document. He argued that presenting it as a national policy was misleading and suggested it amounted to dishonesty. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hasara Liyanage clarified that the policy statement “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Life” incorporated views and expertise from various stakeholders in formulating a science policy. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera challenged the claim that a National Science Policy had been prepared, arguing that the document being cited was instead the Government’s “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Life” presidential election policy statement. He said a formal National Science Policy had not yet been produced, despite being promised in the manifesto, and accused the Government of misleading the public by suggesting otherwise. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage said the Government has introduced a national science and technology policy to guide research and development, acknowledging expert contributions and responding to Opposition questions on policy coordination. She stated that Cabinet approval has been obtained to seek investors for the Eppawala phosphate project, with 14 expressions of interest, and that Phase 1 work on sulphuric acid is underway. She outlined 2026 priorities including the Vidatha Action Plan, upgrading 73 Vidatha Resource Centres, expanding STEM and Young Inventors’ Clubs from 100 to 1,000 schools, and strengthening university–Vidatha and private-sector R&D collaboration. She also cited a planned zero-budget central cinnamon processing facility in Karandeniya under the Industrial Technology Institute’s zero-waste concept, emphasizing technology transfer, value addition, and “lab into market” implementation. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →