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- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan urged the Fisheries Minister to address Batticaloa fishers’ needs by restarting the idle Kallady ice factory, ensuring non-partisan distribution of fishing gear, providing relief during flood-affected periods, and constructing landing jetties in coastal areas including Vakarai, Kaluvankerny, Navalady and Kallady. He also called for fisheries issues in the district to be handled promptly and beyond party lines. He further urged the Ministers responsible for education, vocational training, science and technology, and the digital economy to embed science and technology in schools, universities, factories and farms, modernize institutions such as the Valaichchenai Paper Mill and Karadianaru Farm, and use skills training to create employment for unemployed diploma holders, graduates and engineers. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB AI summary The Minister outlined the Ministry’s first-year work to develop and implement a national research and development policy across 14 institutions, with coordination across other ministries and approximately Rs. 21 billion in science and technology-related public allocations. He said national research priorities, expert committees, a common evaluation framework, a research management MIS, ethical governance mechanisms, and a commercialization policy framework are being developed to improve transparency, coordination, and outcomes. He also detailed the revival of the Vidatha programme, including Cabinet-approved strategic planning, increased allocations from Rs. 902.8 million in 2025 to Rs. 1,151 million, and plans to upgrade 73 resource centres into mini-incubation centres to support small industries in collaboration with relevant ministries. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir argued that digitalization should begin with practical access points such as schools, local authorities and Divisional Secretariats, ensuring smart classroom initiatives reach all students and the public is properly informed. He questioned how the previous year’s reported Rs. 3,000 million allocation for digitalization was spent and noted that local authority revenue functions such as stall rent, Stamp Duty and court fees remain undigitalized. He also raised concern that local authorities are spending large sums on private digital systems, calling for better coordination and accountability. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe called for faster provision of fish-location technology to fishers and urged merit-based appointments and private-sector involvement in science and technology institutions to accelerate commercialization and avoid prolonged, outdated research. He proposed reviving and expanding the “Shilpa Sena” district exhibition programme to disseminate technology, including to rural youth and sectors such as agriculture. He also challenged Government claims on education funding, citing reductions in several capital allocations and student support programmes, and urged the Government to honour its education commitments or state openly if it cannot. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister thanked the Leader of the Opposition for his proposals and said they would be referred to the relevant authorities, with government intervention where possible. She stated that more than 12,000 graduates had already been recruited and that, following formal notification from the Court of Appeal ending litigation on teacher appointments, the recruitment process would begin immediately to meet the stated targets. Ministerial Statement: Minimization of Unemployment Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa noted that the education allocation had increased only from 1.8% to 2% of GDP between 2025 and 2026, arguing that progress toward the 6% target should be faster. Citing the Government’s Policy Statement on recruiting 35,000 graduates, he proposed a one-year stipend-supported apprenticeship programme for unemployed graduates before recruitment into teaching, STEM, technical and other sectors. He also urged diplomatic action with South Korea to restore EPS-TOPIK job placements, saying around 5,000 qualified candidates risk losing opportunities due to the two-year departure limit, and called for filling identified public sector vacancies. Ministerial Statement: Minimization of Unemployment Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam) SJB AI summary Asked whether the Minister is aware that Vantharumoolai railway station in Batticaloa District is served only by slow trains, and that express train stops would benefit Eastern University students and nearby residents. Sought a statement on whether steps will be taken to schedule express trains to stop at the station, and if not, the reasons for not doing so. Oral Questions: Second Round - Colombo-Mannar Train Service and Related Questions Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister said the 6 percent allocation for education is a UNESCO-recommended benchmark and stated that past governments from 2011 to 2024 failed to move toward it, leaving education spending at about 1.04 percent of GDP when the current government took office. She said the Government has increased education spending in its first two Budgets and has set out a policy plan for progressive annual increases to reach the 6 percent target over the coming years. Oral Question: National Schools and Provincial Schools: Vacancies for Labourers (Q.563/2025) Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition questioned the Prime Minister on education funding, recalling her previous advocacy for allocating 6 percent of GDP to education. He said that while reaching that target immediately may be difficult, a substantial increase from the current allocation is necessary, and asked why the Budget does not reflect a significant rise consistent with her earlier position. Oral Question: National Schools and Provincial Schools: Vacancies for Labourers (Q.563/2025) Read →
- 26 November 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 teacher or staff vacancies affecting many schools are being addressed through ongoing measures. She requested specific details of affected schools so that particular cases can receive special attention and action. Oral Question: National Schools and Provincial Schools: Vacancies for Labourers (Q.563/2025) Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson raised concerns about inadequate security staffing in schools, noting that one or two guards working 12-hour shifts leave schools unprotected for part of the day. He cited the theft of a drinking water motor at Vilayaya National School in Aralaganwila, Polonnaruwa, and asked whether the Ministry would investigate and use allocated funds to address the shortage of school security staff. Oral Question: National Schools and Provincial Schools: Vacancies for Labourers (Q.563/2025) Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary In response to a question on minor employee cadres in schools, the Prime Minister and Minister of Education stated that National Schools in salary categories PL 1 and PL 2 have no surplus staff. She said vacancies exist in both National and Provincial Schools due to transfers, promotions and retirements, and that new recruits will be placed in schools facing shortages. Oral Question: National Schools and Provincial Schools: Vacancies for Labourers (Q.563/2025) Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to provide school labourer staffing details, including current numbers, approved cadres, and vacancies at National Schools and provincial council schools separately. He also sought reasons for vacancies in provincial council schools despite a surplus in National Schools, and asked what measures are being taken to allocate labourers properly across the government school system. Oral Question: National Schools and Provincial Schools: Vacancies for Labourers (Q.563/2025) Read →
- 25 November 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Moved approval of the University of Peradeniya Annual Report for 2023, including the Auditor-General’s observations for the year ended 31 December 2023, under the Universities Act and Finance Act. The motion noted that the report had been considered by the relevant Ministerial Consultative Committee and reported to Parliament, and it was agreed to. Papers: University Annual Reports 2022-2023 Read →
- 25 November 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya moved for parliamentary approval of the 2023 Annual Report of the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture of the University of Peradeniya, including the Auditor-General’s observations for the year ended 31 December 2023. She noted that the report was presented under the Universities Act and had been considered by the relevant Ministerial Consultative Committee before being reported to Parliament; the motion was agreed to. Papers: University Annual Reports 2022-2023 Read →
- 25 November 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya moved for approval of the 2022 Annual Report of the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, including the Auditor-General’s observations for the year ended 31 December 2022, presented under Section 110 of the Universities Act. She noted that the report had been considered by the relevant Ministerial Consultative Committee and its report presented to Parliament, after which the motion was agreed to. Papers: University Annual Reports 2022-2023 Read →
- 25 November 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya moved for approval of the 2022 Annual Report of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka, including the Auditor-General’s observations for the year ended 31 December 2022, presented under the National Audit Act. She noted that the report had been considered by the relevant Ministerial Consultative Committee and its report presented to Parliament; the motion was agreed to. Papers: University Annual Reports 2022-2023 Read →
- 25 November 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Moved that Parliament approve the University of Ruhuna Annual Report for 2022, together with the Auditor-General’s observations for the year ending 31 December 2022, presented under Section 110 of the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978. The motion noted prior consideration by the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and was agreed to by Parliament. Papers: University Annual Reports 2022-2023 Read →
- 25 November 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to amend Expenditure Head 214 for the University Grants Commission, increasing Programme 02 recurrent provision to Rs. 85 billion, with Rs. 10.5 billion in capital expenditure, to implement Budget Proposal Nos. 28 and 29. The Committee then approved the recurrent and capital allocations for the Department of Technical Education and Training under Head 215 and the National Education Commission under Head 335, and ordered those items to stand part of the Schedule. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to amend Head 126 for the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, increasing Programme 02 recurrent expenditure by Rs. 850 million to Rs. 91.311 billion to implement Budget Proposal Nos. 28 and 53, while approving capital expenditure of Rs. 51.352 billion. The House also approved allocations under the Department of Examinations and the Department of Educational Publications, including their recurrent and capital expenditure provisions, and proceeded to consider the University Grants Commission allocation. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →