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. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha stated that she is committed to pursuing a solution to the issue concerning a school in her area. She noted that she has visited the school several times and feels a particular responsibility because the affected students are from her constituency. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen raised the shortage of space and classrooms at the 73-year-old Dehiwala Meelad Tamil School, noting that around 500 students attend, some study outdoors, and many applications remain pending. He said earlier plans to use the unused Sumangala school were obstructed, and urged the relevant area representative to allocate one of four alternative sites identified by education officials. He proposed retaining the current premises as a primary school and establishing facilities for Grades 6 and above elsewhere, with community and business funding for construction, to address overcrowding and avoid further tensions. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha said funds from her 2025 decentralized allocation had supported the Dehiwala Muslim school and that temporary and permanent measures were being pursued to address its capacity issues. She outlined Government initiatives in early childhood education, including a national curriculum framework, a forthcoming preschool policy framework, a proposed regulatory authority and development unit, minimum qualifications and training for preschool staff, increased teacher allowances, nutrition support, and capacity-building allocations. She stated that education spending had risen to about 2.4 per cent of GDP and that physical and human resources would be managed through zonal structures with improvements to facilities and smart classrooms. She also said a new transparent circular had been introduced for Grade 2–11 admissions in 2025, replacing previous ad hoc practices, and asserted that no political requests had been made for admissions that year. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan urged the Education Ministry to strengthen pre-school education by standardizing provision and improving poorly paid teachers’ conditions, and called for vocational skills to be integrated into schooling so students leave with employable abilities. He highlighted shortages of science, mathematics and ICT teachers in rural and hardship-area schools, requesting equitable resource allocation compared with urban National Schools. He also sought upgrades to the Manchanthoduvai Technical College to offer NVQ 5 and 6 programmes, land for the expansion of Meelad Tamil School in Dehiwala, and reconstruction support for a released school site and associated housing in Murakkettanchenei. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson urged the Government to fulfil earlier commitments to increase education funding and questioned whether the 2026 Budget provides enough resources to reopen closed schools, fill principal and teacher vacancies, and address student dropouts. He highlighted severe shortages and infrastructure gaps nationally and in Polonnaruwa, including vacancies, lack of water, sanitation, laboratories, computer facilities, playgrounds, and teacher housing, and proposed funding to repair or build quarters to retain teachers. He also called for addressing staffing shortages, hostel deficiencies, pay anomalies and promotion delays in National Colleges of Education, and requested that graduate recruitment be used to fill teacher vacancies. He further asked for increased support for pre-school teachers, proposing their allowance be raised from Rs. 2,500 to at least Rs. 6,000 per month. 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.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Madhura Senevirathna outlined 2026 Budget allocations for education and higher education, including LKR 11.5 billion for research and development, funding to regulate non-state higher education, and measures to standardize open, distance, and external degree programmes. He cited increased support for university digitalization, student loans, recruitment of academic and non-academic staff, higher allowances in advanced technological institutes, and increased capital expenditure. He also detailed allocations for estate schools, including buildings, teachers’ quarters, Indian-assisted upgrades, supplies for small schools, and 308 teachers through the Sri Pada College of Education, stating that many commitments in the Government’s education policy chapter had been implemented. 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.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Madhura Senevirathna said the 2026 Budget builds on economic stabilization and shifts higher education toward development and international standards. He detailed 2025 allocations and 2026 plans for university faculties, medical faculties, libraries, laboratories, canteens, medical centres, sports facilities, water systems and internet-linked infrastructure, including new funding for Moratuwa, Sri Jayewardenepura, Uva Wellassa, Eastern, Peradeniya and Vavuniya universities. He identified hostel shortages as a major issue and said Rs. 1.5 billion would be allocated in 2026 for 55 hostels to accommodate 16,000–18,000 additional students, while also noting increases to Mahapola and bursary support and plans to staff university medical centres through the health service. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Chanaka Madugoda raised an urgent concern about the ongoing GCE Advanced Level Economics examination, alleging that a significant number of multiple-choice and essay questions matched material from a paid tuition class. He urged the Government, Department of Examinations, Criminal Investigation Department, and relevant agencies to investigate the matter and safeguard the integrity of the A/L examination and students’ futures. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Chanaka Madugoda acknowledged past and current welfare measures in education, including textbooks, uniforms, scholarships, meals and the Rs. 6,000 allowance for low-income students, but argued that the Budget does not adequately invest in skills-based education or early childhood development. He questioned the lack of progress on pledges to establish early childhood centres and quality primary schools within specified distances, and suggested reviving cluster school models and improving preschool teacher training and remuneration. He also raised concerns over limited progress on the National Education Plan despite expenditure, the absence of a clear commitment to allocating 6% of GDP to education, and the failure to remove VAT from school supplies or address high sports equipment costs. He requested a more accurate mechanism for identifying low-income students so that assistance reaches those most in need. 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.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne said education reforms would be prioritized through continued dialogue and debate. She emphasized reducing teachers’ burdens through supportive changes identified in training and linked these efforts to improving children’s education and national development. 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.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne - Deputy Minister of Mass Media JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Kaushalya Ariyarathne outlined Budget allocations for education under the theme “Quality, Equity and Excellence in Education,” highlighting Rs. 704 billion for the sector and planned expansion of teacher deployment and training. She focused on National Colleges of Education, noting the operationalization of the Korean-supported Kuliyapitiya facility, increased trainee admissions and allowances, curriculum revision, trainer recruitment, and higher allocations for infrastructure. She also cited funding for in-service teacher training, education digitalization, and measures to expedite examination results and scheduling. She called for stakeholder support for education reforms aimed at addressing inequality, learning outcomes, workforce readiness, and youth delays. 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.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan urged that plantation-area schools not be closed, arguing that long travel distances would increase dropouts and push children back into estate work. He cited dropout figures in Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, linked them to poverty and school-related costs, and warned that literacy rates could decline if the issue is not addressed. He recorded appreciation for past contributors to plantation education, noted selected education initiatives including Bambalapitiya Hindu College and a Rs. 1.5 million loan scheme, and called for cross-party cooperation while recognizing recent achievements by plantation youth. 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 JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that no schools have been selected for closure, but a study of schools with fewer than 50 students has identified some for merging and others for development. She said a pilot programme is being implemented this year, with the number of mergers to be increased next year based on its outcomes. 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.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan argued that the Malaiyaha/plantation community has faced a historic education deficit because free education did not effectively reach estates until decades after independence. He requested special measures for the 864 plantation schools, including upgrading A/L schools, improving infrastructure, continuing programmes such as “Nearest School the Best School,” and appointing science, mathematics, and teaching assistant staff to address severe teacher shortages. He cited past foreign and budgetary allocations for plantation education, asked the Minister to resolve court-related delays to recruiting 3,000 teacher assistants, and sought clarification on whether plantation schools with low enrolment are to be closed. 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 JJB AI summary Progression rules under the 1994 Constitution were cited as 75 per cent by competitive examination and 25 per cent by competency assessment, and the “Subodhini” report was tabled for reference on qualifications and career pathways. Mahinda Jayasinghe said a sub-committee and a Ministry Expert Committee report are being used to establish an Education Council to professionalize teaching, set career levels, standardization, quality assurance and accreditation, and address salary anomalies through Cabinet decisions and legislation next year. He also acknowledged issues faced by teachers and principals, including administrative burdens and hardship allowances, and said discussions are underway on distance-based difficult area allowances. 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 of Labour JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the 2026 education allocation, stating it is the highest recent share of GDP at 2.04 per cent and has risen from Rs. 619 billion to Rs. 704 billion, with a commitment to increase it further in 2027. He outlined recruitment measures, including appointments to the Education Administrative Service and Teacher Educators’ Service, planned teacher and principal recruitments, and forthcoming gazettes to fill remaining vacancies. He addressed graduate teacher recruitment litigation, stating that court cases—not the Government—delayed the exam, and said two exams will be held next year for Development Officers and other graduates. He also said reforms are planned on principals’ recruitment and salary issues, and noted allowance increases for College of Education students, teachers in difficult areas, principals, and public-sector festival advances. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi said education reforms were necessary but should be clear, evidence-based, socially sensitive, and suitable for children in rural and disadvantaged areas, citing reversals on the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, debates on History, longer school hours, and uncertainty over pre-school reforms. He urged the Government to clarify its reform programme and honour campaign commitments, particularly removing VAT on school supplies and addressing tuition culture. He also raised concerns over unemployed graduates, Development Officers teaching in schools without regularization, and unresolved salary anomalies among education and teacher educator administrative officers. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa argued that education reforms should preserve the teaching of history and national heritage while prioritizing English proficiency in the public education system. He said past language-based political decisions had disadvantaged millions of children and proposed that the new Constitution’s Fundamental Rights chapter include broad guarantees such as free education, free health, social welfare, economic sectors, and good governance. He called for modernization of free education in line with global labour market needs, expanded opportunities for self-education through libraries, and drew on India’s IIT and IIM model as an example for building a more educated middle class. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa criticised the Government’s handling of education reforms, arguing that changes are being introduced without a coherent plan and that issues across pre-school, school, university and vocational sectors remain unresolved. He questioned delays in implementing the remaining “Subodhini” salary proposals, addressing teacher, principal, teacher educator, teacher advisor, non-academic and university staff salary anomalies, and filling shortages including principals, sports coaches and school support staff. He also demanded implementation of a court settlement for 16,600 Development Officers serving as trainee teachers and accused the Government of failing to honour manifesto pledges to provide 35,000 graduate jobs, including teaching and public-sector posts. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva emphasized the importance of inclusive education for students with special needs within the broader education system. He argued that education should transmit knowledge, develop skills, and shape attitudes for all learners, and highlighted the need for focused attention and support for special-needs students during the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →