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- 25 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya outlined measures to address long-standing issues in the education sector, including filling vacancies in professional cadres, commencing teacher and graduate recruitment in early 2026, revising National Colleges of Education curricula by March, and investing in infrastructure through allocations of Rs. 8,604 million for 2026. She reported school transition rates above 96 percent, noted targeted concerns in rural areas and among boys, and said the alleged A/L Economics paper issue had been referred to the CID while examinations continue. She also stated that regulation of non-State education is being reviewed through the National Education Commission and that broader reforms, including an Education Council and pay-related mechanisms, are being pursued as long-term measures. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister outlined the Government’s planned education reforms for 2026, including a 30-minute extension of school hours, new Grade 1 and 6 modules, teacher training, parent awareness programmes, and alignment with an Early Childhood Education Curriculum Framework. She said reforms would broaden higher education pathways beyond medicine, integrate vocational education into schools, improve examinations and assessment capacity, and expand digital facilities through smart classrooms in secondary schools. She emphasized that the reforms are based on stakeholder consultation and principles of equity, quality, and reducing disparities among schools and students. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Amila Prasad questioned how the Government intends to retain university staff without increasing special non-recurring allowances. He also criticized the Minister of Education’s conduct regarding respect for learners and urged the Government to appoint a suitable person to lead the Education Ministry and advance the education system. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad requested the Government to establish and fund an empowered institution to assess and certify practical skills, including for workers such as welders and tourism-sector employees, to an NVQ-equivalent standard. He also sought clarification on reports that the full-time special-needs allowance had been reduced from 10 percent to 6 percent, despite commitments to support children with special needs. He questioned why the creation of new university faculties was being discouraged on fiscal grounds while education was being presented as a priority. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad criticized the Government’s education performance, questioning unmet commitments on allocating 6 percent of GDP to education and citing low spending progress on school modernization and foreign university scholarship allocations. He raised concerns over teacher vacancies, teacher and principal salaries, anti-ragging measures, Deputy Vice Chancellor appointments, university intake expansion, proposed new universities, and the future of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination. He also questioned higher cutoff marks for popular schools despite only a small rise in qualifying students and argued that the exam favours higher-income families unless rural schools, facilities, and university places are expanded. He further criticized VAT-related impacts on local educational publications and book sales, saying the policy disadvantages local publishers and small producers. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana said education reform is central to shaping Sri Lanka’s future and called for Opposition cooperation in modernizing an outdated system, with strategic reforms to accelerate in 2026 after economic stabilization in 2025. He argued that achieving the long-term goal of allocating 6 percent of GDP to education requires higher government revenue, noting revenue had fallen to about 8.3 percent of GDP and that education spending has been raised to 2.04 percent as an initial step. Responding to concerns over VAT on school supplies, he said fiscal constraints prevented its removal but direct assistance had been provided to low-income families, small-school students, adolescent girls and children with disabilities. He also stated that court delays had held up teacher recruitment, but around 25,000 teachers could be recruited by early next year to address roughly 30,000 vacancies. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam referred to a court decision concerning the Archaeology Department’s installation of a nameboard, noting that the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman’s authority must be respected and that permission should be sought in writing with supporting documents and Gazette details. He said the Chairman was willing to re-install the nameboard if the proper legal process confirms the location and authority. He urged the media and other groups not to spread misinformation and requested that archaeology be appropriately included in the History syllabus. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam urged the Government to retain and strengthen History in the school curriculum, arguing that it should include the history of Tamil kingdoms, Tamil positions during constitutional reforms, and post-Independence grievances to promote equality among communities. He said recent Government actions had hurt the Tamil community and reiterated that a permanent political solution was needed. He also clarified a controversy over Archaeology Department nameboards in Batticaloa, stating that media reports were inaccurate and that, under the Pradeshiya Sabhas Act and a court order, authority for such installations lay with the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education allocations in the Committee Stage debate, noting the Rs. 704 billion allocation for 2026 and stating that education funding has increased compared with previous periods. He argued that past reforms suffered from weak planning, poor evidence, inadequate funding and urban-rural inequalities, and said the new reforms should promote social harmony, reduce inequality and advance “Education for All.” He highlighted proposed classroom changes including online learning, e-learning, smart boards, virtual education, 3D tools and other digital methods, while rejecting Opposition criticism and expressing confidence in implementation under the Prime Minister as Minister of Education. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath highlighted severe teacher shortages, stating that only 25 of 75 required teachers are serving and that many are Development Officers currently engaged in industrial action. He urged action through Provincial Councils to ensure equitable resource allocation and proceed with teacher appointments. He also requested that a previously proposed structural meeting be convened without delay. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath supported the proposed education reforms but urged that they be implemented with equitable distribution of resources, particularly for war-affected schools in the Eastern Province and Batticaloa District. He highlighted severe teacher shortages in the Kalkudah Education Zone, especially in mathematics, inadequate provincial school funding, shortages of furniture and facilities, and specific infrastructure needs at Pattiruppu Maha Vidyalaya, Vaalaichenai Hindu College, and St. Michael’s College. He also called for expedited graduate teacher recruitment, expansion of vocational education to NVQ Level 7 with more trainers, and improvements at Eastern University including hostel facilities and regularization of Deans for specific faculties. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama defended the education allocations in the Budget, highlighting the relaunch of the Suraksha student insurance scheme from 2026, grants for students in small schools and Aswesuma families, transport support, sanitary pad provision, and funding for pirivena education. He rejected Opposition claims that education reforms were merely presentational, stating that a formal reform report with ten objectives had been prepared and made available. He also defended the tuition sector, arguing that it provides supplementary education and livelihoods, and said any tax issues should be addressed without disparaging the entire profession. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed thanked the Education Minister for agreeing to resume halted construction works at six schools in Vavuniya and Mannar and requested an assembly hall for a Vavuniya Muslim Maha Vidyalaya marking its centenary, since National School elevation is not currently available. He urged special attention to Northern and Vanni schools to address resource shortages, teacher shortages in mathematics, science and English, frequent transfers, dropout pressures including drug abuse, and the need for district-based teacher appointments, expedited principal appointments, and school management training. He also called for progress on the proposed medical faculty at Vavuniya University, possible recreational development of part of its land, and the urgent issue of long-delayed certificates for more than 1,200 teacher trainees from several colleges. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha argued that Sri Lanka’s education system must be reformed to support broader social and economic change and to prepare future generations for a global, digital society. He said classrooms, teaching methods, facilities, and assessment should be redesigned around self-learning, inquiry, problem solving, creativity, gamification, and knowledge creation and sharing, rather than traditional approaches. He cited major infrastructure gaps, including limited smart boards, internet access, computers, and devices in schools and zonal offices, and stated that a task force for digital transformation in education has been established to address these needs gradually. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera raised concerns about the rapid expansion of international schools and the absence of clear government policy, standards, or oversight for a sector now educating many children from diverse economic backgrounds. He urged the Government to establish an empowered unit within the Ministry of Education to regulate standards and outcomes, and to appoint a Special Parliamentary Committee to examine international schools. He also thanked the Government for support to the “Nearest School – Best School” project at Bandaragama Ramukkana Vidyalaya and requested completion of its master plan, while expressing support for wider education reforms, particularly in English teaching. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika argued that Sri Lanka’s education policy shifted after 1977 away from welfare and access, and said the Government is now progressively increasing education investment toward the 6 per cent of GDP principle. He cited increased capital allocations for education, including funds to complete medical faculty buildings at Sabaragamuwa, Moratuwa, Uva Wellassa, Eastern and North Western universities. He also highlighted welfare measures such as school supply vouchers, transport support, midday meals, Grade 5 bursaries, and increased Mahapola allowances, and urged the Opposition to engage constructively rather than challenge such measures through litigation or commissions. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam called for the continuation of free education while also establishing a robust mechanism to ensure standards in private and international schools. He urged equitable resource allocation, increased support for student nutrition, health and hygiene, and action to address high dropout rates and shortages affecting low-income and differently-abled students. He welcomed several Budget allocations, including for Vavuniya University facilities and education allowances, but requested additional funding for solid waste and sewage management at Vavuniya University. He also highlighted severe shortages of principals and teachers, especially in Tamil, Sinhala, English and mathematics, in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Mannar and the wider Vanni District, and asked that these vacancies and damaged college infrastructure be addressed urgently. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe – Deputy Minister AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe corrected a statement made by Kabir Hashim regarding his intervention in a Western Provincial Council education matter. He said the Provincial Education Secretary had issued a letter barring teachers from conducting tuition classes for their own students, but he intervened because no law prohibits such tutoring and requested that the letter be withdrawn. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran supported the Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education allocations in Budget 2026, highlighting increased national funding and specific provisions for Vavuniya University, technical colleges, the Vavuniya National College of Education, special needs students, principals, school materials and Mahapola scholarships. He welcomed the introduction of vocational education from Grade 9 to address poor outcomes for students leaving school after 13 years. He urged district-based teacher recruitment, locally appropriate appointments and a revised transfer policy for Northern teachers, including conditional inter-district transfers and removal of restrictions on transfers for supernumerary principals. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary M.L.A.M. Hizbullah supported the Education Ministry’s Votes while calling for faster curriculum reform, expanded digital learning, improved teacher training and recruitment, and better school infrastructure, particularly in rural, estate and Eastern Province schools. He urged stronger vocational, university and industry-linked education, including support for Technical Colleges, NVQ pathways, research, innovation and international partnerships. He requested policies to expand and regulate non-State universities through incentives, quality assurance, scholarships and loan support, and asked for concessions for children of Sri Lankan expatriates who face foreign-student fees at State universities. He also sought the Prime Minister’s intervention to address the lack of classrooms and facilities at Meelad Muslim Vidyalaya, Dehiwala, ahead of Grade 1 admissions. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →