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. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake urged the Prime Minister and Education Ministry to address conduct within the Ministry, consult more widely on education reforms, and respond to teacher union opposition. He called for the promised absorption of 16,000 Development Officers, action on disparities between leading and marginalized schools, resolution of delayed admissions to the Ruhuna Allied Health Faculty, and investigations into alleged A/L Economics paper leaks and complaints against specific principals. He also raised unresolved salary and status issues affecting acting principals, anomalies in teachers’ and principals’ salaries, pension disparities, and the need to use education to uplift disadvantaged provinces such as Uva. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran welcomed proposed education reforms and allowances in the 2026 Budget, but questioned whether they would address persistent inequities in the North and East, particularly in Vanni. He raised concerns over the lack of preschool standardization, teacher shortages in Northern primary education, weak early literacy and numeracy outcomes, incomplete school buildings, and severe shortages or breakdowns of ICT, laboratory and WASH facilities. He asked whether the Budget would fund practical measures such as trained preschool teachers, repairs and completion of facilities, functioning computers and internet access for all schools, and adequate sanitation, arguing that current resource constraints undermine both existing curricula and planned reforms. 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 said education reform must be driven by coherent policy, strong institutions, adequate funding, and evidence-based planning, noting that past failures in these areas had undermined implementation despite the continued service of teachers, principals and officials. She outlined the Ministry’s four priorities—equity, quality, governance and evidence—and tabled a committee report on Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine as an example of institutional decision-making failures affecting quality and students’ rights. She stated that the 2026 education allocation of Rs. 704,308 million, or 2.04 percent of GDP, is the highest to date, while rejecting claims that the Government promised 6 percent of GDP in its first year, and said expenditure progress for 2025 had reached 69 percent including committed work. She also said the Ministry aims to improve responsiveness, reduce disparities including for children with disabilities, and operationalize curriculum reforms from 2026 with clearer targets and monitoring. 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.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna moved the customary Rs. 10 reduction to the relevant expenditure heads and criticised the Government for failing to meet its longstanding “6 percent of GDP for education” pledge, noting that allocations remain around 2 percent and that capital expenditure in 2025 has been poorly utilized. She argued that the current education reform process lacks clear authorship, targets, funding clarity, and adequate focus on equity, social justice, free education, nutrition and health safeguards. She asked the Minister to state which earlier reform committee recommendations have been incorporated and warned against proceeding without a scientific process, comparing the approach to the former Government’s organic farming policy. 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 Early childhood education falls under the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry’s position on the matter will be presented during the relevant discussion. The Prime Minister clarified that this was the point she had already stated. Question by Private Notice: Standardization of Preschool Education and Personal Explanation Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Asked whether early childhood education falls under the remit of the Minister of Education in the context of ongoing major education reforms. Question by Private Notice: Standardization of Preschool Education and Personal Explanation 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 stated that early childhood education falls under the Ministry of Education and that the Ministry would explain its related work during the debate. She reiterated, however, that the specific question had been referred to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, not to her Ministry. Question by Private Notice: Standardization of Preschool Education and Personal Explanation Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa objected during the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, noting that the day’s proceedings concerned education. He questioned why the Minister of Education was unable to answer a question on early childhood development and the preschool sector. Question by Private Notice: Standardization of Preschool Education and Personal Explanation Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about weaknesses in regulation, curriculum standards, infrastructure, and the economic security of preschool teachers in the early childhood education sector. He asked the Government to provide detailed divisional-level data on preschools and staff, clarify allowances paid in 2024 and 2025 including removals and delays, and outline plans to increase allowances, introduce a pension scheme, improve infrastructure, and protect teachers’ professional status. He also sought details on the proposed single syllabus under education reforms, related teacher training and awareness programmes, and any policy on regional zoning and placement of government and private preschools to safeguard job security. Question by Private Notice: Standardization of Preschool Education and Personal Explanation Read →
- 25 November 2025 QUESTION BY PRIVATE NOTICE AI summary A question by private notice raised the issue of standardizing preschool education, seeking clarification on government measures to regulate curricula, teacher qualifications, and institutional standards. It called for action to ensure equitable access and consistent quality in early childhood education across the country. Question by Private Notice: Standardization of Preschool Education and Personal Explanation Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage JJB AI summary Government policy is to harmonize and consolidate training courses through a unified programme coordinated among several Ministries, with action to follow recommendations from an appointed Parliamentary Committee. It was also stated that a shortage of Tamil-medium instructors has been identified, and that from next year the courses will be developed alongside recruitment of instructors to teach in Tamil. A programme for these measures is already being prepared. Oral Question: National Youth Services Council Training Centres in Tamil Medium (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel raised concerns that many NYSC courses are conducted only in Sinhala, causing difficulties and dropouts among Tamil students, especially in Badulla and Nuwara Eliya. She asked whether Tamil-medium sections in institutions such as NAITA, VTA and NYSC would be strengthened, and proposed establishing centres to provide language training and direct students into new agriculture and tourism-oriented courses in areas such as Bandarawela and Neluwa. Oral Question: National Youth Services Council Training Centres in Tamil Medium (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage JJB AI summary The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that the current Budget includes provisions to promote relevant courses and increase allocations to certain institutions. He acknowledged minor discrepancies at some centres, said steps are being taken to correct them, and indicated that course fees, payments, and allocations will be revised in the next Budget. Oral Question: National Youth Services Council Training Centres in Tamil Medium (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel raised a supplementary question on training centres in Badulla, citing inadequate meal and facility allocations for students attending courses. She said the newly started course at the Bandarawela Neluwa Centre had only Rs. 300 per student allocated for meals, while some centres had no allocation, causing students to bear costs and leading to the course stalling. She asked whether funds could be allocated this year or next year to continue such courses with proper facilities. Oral Question: National Youth Services Council Training Centres in Tamil Medium (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary The Minister answered a question on youth training centres, confirming that 13 training centres operate nationally and listing four centres in the Badulla District, including Haldummulla as the Tamil-medium centre. He detailed the courses offered at Orubendigewela, Lewwegoda and Haldummulla, covering agriculture, ICT, beauty culture, hairdressing, computer graphics, English, tailoring and mechanics. He stated that Treasury allocations are insufficient and that centres are managed using both Treasury funds and internally generated revenue. Oral Question: National Youth Services Council Training Centres in Tamil Medium (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel asked the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports for details on National Youth Services Council Training Centres operating in the Tamil medium. She requested the number of such centres, the centres in Badulla District, which of them operate in Tamil, the courses conducted there, and whether the allocated provisions are sufficient, with reasons if not. Oral Question: National Youth Services Council Training Centres in Tamil Medium (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary K. Kader Masthan noted that he had raised a question under Standing Order 27(2) to the Prime Minister regarding the scheduling of the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination from 17 to 26 February, which coincides with the beginning of the holy fasting month. He stated that the question was raised due to this overlap and that no answer had yet been provided. Oral Question: Equal Educational Opportunities - Standing Order 27(2) (Q.6) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised concerns about equal access to education for disadvantaged students, particularly those in hardship-stricken and low-income areas who lack shoes and learning materials, arguing that such exclusions affect their mental well-being and rights. He asked whether benefits such as textbooks, uniforms and shoes could be provided equally to all students without categorization. He also questioned the scheduling of the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination during the Muslim fasting month and requested that future examination dates avoid this period to prevent adverse effects on Muslim students’ preparation and performance. Oral Question: Equal Educational Opportunities - Standing Order 27(2) (Q.6) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary K. Kader Masthan thanked the Speaker for permitting him, under Standing Order 27(2), to raise a Private Notice Question to the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education. The question concerned assuring equal educational opportunities for all students. Oral Question: Equal Educational Opportunities - Standing Order 27(2) (Q.6) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary The Minister of Health and Mass Media tabled a written answer stating that Sri Lanka has 20 teaching hospitals, including national hospitals, with details and basic facilities provided in annexes. He said their main objective is clinical training for medical undergraduates and postgraduate trainees, alongside the provision of specialist medical services. The answer stated that professorial units should exist in every teaching hospital, that all currently have such units except Kuliyapitiya and Badulla, and that arrangements are underway to establish them after infrastructure upgrades. It also listed the medical faculties linked to each teaching hospital and noted ongoing discussions to provide necessary facilities to Kuliyapitiya Teaching Hospital. Oral Question: Teaching Hospitals (Q.5) Read →