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- 24 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 the Government does not differentiate between national and provincial schools when providing services and resources. She said resources, including teachers and infrastructure, will be distributed equitably according to need, and that there is no policy decision to create or newly designate additional national schools. Oral Question: Education Zones in Trincomalee District (Q.4) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof asked whether the Government would take steps to designate Muslim national schools in the Trincomalee and Kantale Education Zones, noting that Trincomalee has a significant Muslim population but no Central Government Muslim national school in those zones. He cited the stalled previous pledge to create 1,000 national schools and said Zahira College in Trincomalee and some Muslim schools in Kantale meet the required criteria and perform well academically and in sports. Oral Question: Education Zones in Trincomalee District (Q.4) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Decisions on school zones are made using criteria such as resource distribution, the number of schools, and geographical, social, and economic factors. The Prime Minister stated that an upcoming review will consider all relevant determinants to identify the best possible solution. Oral Question: Education Zones in Trincomalee District (Q.4) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof argued that education administration in Trincomalee is divided along ethnic lines, with Thambalagamuwa schools assigned to different zones by language or community. He requested the creation of a separate Thambalagamuwa education zone to bring all schools in the area under one administration, and cited an Eastern Provincial Department of Education letter proposing a separate Kuchchaveli zone, which he tabled for Hansard. He asked whether the Government would act to end ethnic division in the district’s education zoning. Oral Question: Education Zones in Trincomalee District (Q.4) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Sri Lanka currently has five education zones in Trincomalee District: Trincomalee, Trincomalee North, Muttur, Kantale, and Kinniya. The Minister stated that although seven of the 30 schools in Kuchchaveli Division are over 50 km from the Trincomalee Zonal Education Office, the number of schools and student population do not justify creating a separate education zone, and no prior request has been made. She noted that other zones elsewhere administer larger numbers of schools, and said the Government will review administrative structures under planned education reforms, inviting further proposals from the Member. Oral Question: Education Zones in Trincomalee District (Q.4) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education to state the number and names of education zones in the Trincomalee District. He raised concerns that schools in Thambalagamuwa DS Division are allocated to different education zones along ethnic lines and that many Kuchchaveli schools are located over 50 km from the Trincomalee Zonal Education Office. He requested that, in future creation of education zones, separate zones be established for these areas to address geographical distance and ethnic segregation, or that reasons be given if this will not be done. Oral Question: Education Zones in Trincomalee District (Q.4) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Nalin Hewage JJB AI summary Vocational education is planned to be introduced at school level from next year, requiring restructuring of the existing institutional system. The response notes problems of overlapping institutions in the same city and staff shortages, with approvals obtained for significant recruitment to deploy staff where needed. Changes to NAITA are also expected within the next year. Oral Question: Jaffna College of Technology Infrastructure (Q.3) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary The member raised concerns about staff shortages in vocational training institutions, specifically VTA and NAITA, and noted that Mannar is served through the NAITA office in Vavuniya. He asked whether a separate NAITA office could be established for Mannar and whether new labour market-oriented courses had been introduced during the year to improve youth employment prospects. Oral Question: Jaffna College of Technology Infrastructure (Q.3) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Nalin Hewage JJB AI summary Rs. 2,000 million has been allocated in 2026 to upgrade 50 institutions islandwide. Funds are also intended to be allocated for upgrading the Vavuniya institution referred to by the Member. Oral Question: Jaffna College of Technology Infrastructure (Q.3) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran asked whether Budget 2026 includes funding to rehabilitate the damaged main hall and roof of the Vavuniya College of Technology. He referred to the provision of third-level training centres to Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Jaffna about six weeks earlier, during which the damage was observed, and requested details of any planned projects. Oral Question: Jaffna College of Technology Infrastructure (Q.3) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Nalin Hewage - Deputy Minister of Vocational Education JJB AI summary Only one building roof at the Jaffna College of Technology is reported to be dilapidated, and funds are to be allocated in 2026 for renovations. For 2025, Rs. 3.5 million has been allocated to Jaffna College of Technology and Rs. 3.149 million to Vavuniya Technical College for infrastructure works, with some projects completed and others ongoing. Facilities for hybrid and modern vehicle repair courses have been installed, curricula are periodically updated under NVQ standards, and 2026 procurement is being arranged for colleges lacking modern equipment. Approval has also been obtained to recruit 100 permanent and 100 contract instructors, while course quality and uniform certification are regulated by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission. Oral Question: Jaffna College of Technology Infrastructure (Q.3) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran questioned the Prime Minister and Minister of Education on infrastructure, curriculum and staffing issues in vocational education, specifically at the Jaffna and Vavuniya Colleges of Technology. He asked whether unsafe buildings at Jaffna College of Technology would be renovated or replaced, whether funds had been allocated, when outdated automotive syllabi would be updated to include hybrid and modern vehicle technologies, and what steps would be taken to provide modern machinery and recruit qualified lecturers. He also sought clarification on how the Government ensures equal quality of vocational training across the country. Oral Question: Jaffna College of Technology Infrastructure (Q.3) Read →
- 22 November 2025 Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena acknowledged staffing issues in the health sector, noting that shortages affect not only doctors but also nurses. He said Budget allocations had been increased for nursing education, including Rs. 150 million for the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Medical Faculty and Rs. 150 million for nursing training schools, while emphasizing that addressing the nursing cadre shortage will take time. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi addressed the Health and Mass Media expenditure heads, arguing that the Government’s budget includes short-, medium-, and long-term measures to address poverty while promoting free, independent and impartial media. She said state media should function as a public asset rather than as a tool of the government or any party, and outlined plans to strengthen public service media, counter disinformation, train journalists and students, and support media pluralism. She also proposed modernization of the Government Printing Department, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, including digitization, studio upgrades, archival preservation, journalist ID cards and scholarships. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha said Sri Lanka’s industrial share of GDP has grown only modestly over 75 years and argued that long-term industrial development requires an enabling environment and education reforms to produce entrepreneurs rather than only job-seekers. He outlined planned 2026 reforms introducing Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy from Grade 6, expanding entrepreneurship studies at O-Level and A-Level, and shifting teaching and assessment toward skills such as problem-solving, creativity, collaboration and communication. He also said new technology and vocational streams would support industrial manpower needs, while newly established District and Divisional Industrial Promotion Committees would decentralize support for industrialists and entrepreneurs. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara JJB AI summary The Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara supported the allocations under the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, arguing that past welfare programmes had not eliminated poverty and that poverty remains concentrated in rural areas. He outlined Budget allocations for community empowerment, rural development, social security, “Praja Shakthi,” and cash transfers, framing them as part of a 2025-2030 programme for national recovery and poverty eradication. He also highlighted funding for persons with disabilities, school meals, uniforms and footwear, and support for elders, stating that the Government aims to ensure dignity, security, and poverty relief within five years. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera argued that the Budget under Industry and Entrepreneurship Development lacks a clear strategy for wealth creation and should prioritize building an entrepreneurial mindset from early education rather than only focusing on debt and tax revenue. He said Sri Lanka should engage the IMF from a position of strength while pursuing a national economic agenda, and cautioned against policies he described as externally driven. He also called for urgent enforcement action in the tourism sector, alleging that some foreign visitors are operating informal businesses and illegal activities without paying taxes or retaining value in Sri Lanka. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary 42,254 unemployed graduates were reported in the 2024 Labour Force Survey, and the Government plans employment for 37,309 graduates, including 12,309 Cabinet-approved recruitments and 25,000 recruitments to Grade 3-1(a) of the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service. Public service recruitments will proceed through approved procedures and Cabinet decisions, while the Government also intends to expand opportunities in the SME and private sectors. Teacher vacancies total 36,178 as at 31 May 2025, comprising 4,150 in National Schools and 32,677 in Provincial Schools. Planned measures include further subject-specific National School recruitments, 2,500 English-medium teachers under “English for All,” foreign language teacher appointments, and graduate teacher recruitments subject to the final Court of Appeal order. Oral Questions: Second Round – Unemployed Graduates and Bovine Semen Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka) SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka, on behalf of Suranga Rathnayaka, asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to provide current figures on unemployed graduates as of 1 January 2025, graduate employment provided by the Government, and the sectoral breakdown of such jobs. He also requested details of the Government’s future plan for employing unemployed graduates, the number of existing teacher vacancies, and whether urgent measures are being taken to fill them, including the proposed course of action. Oral Questions: Second Round – Unemployed Graduates and Bovine Semen Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M.S. Uthumalebbe referred to the previous day’s committee discussion on education reforms and noted that his earlier questions concerned the absence of Muslim representation in the ministerial advisory group. He thanked the Prime Minister for subsequently including an educationist named Ameer in that group. Oral Question No. 1300/2025: Committee to Look into Proposed Education Council Read →