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 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Minister tabled an answer on vocational training centres for persons with disabilities, stating that 11 institutions operate under the Department of Social Services with 496 current trainees and additional pre-vocational capacity of 719. He outlined the application, aptitude testing, selection and orientation process, noting 2,038 applications in 2024 and 1,898 in 2025, with referrals and rehabilitation plans for those not selected. He also stated that trainers are insufficient, the recruitment scheme is being revised for Public Service Commission approval, and the estimated 2025 expenditure for the institutions is Rs. 512.46 million. Tabling of Answers: Lakhanda Radio Service and Vocational Training Centres Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that nursing schools fall under the Ministry of Health, while allied health degree admissions are handled by universities under the Ministry of Higher Education. He said the matter would be examined and that the Education Minister would also respond, before inviting the next supplementary question. Oral Question: Health Service Delivery - Supplementary Questions and Answers Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa highlighted staff shortages in Allied Health Sciences faculties, particularly at Ruhuna University, where 250 students from the 2023 A/L cohort have not yet been admitted. He cited gaps between UGC-approved staffing ratios and actual academic staff numbers, including in nursing, and urged the Government to admit the students and begin the programme by recruiting academic and non-academic staff on contract if necessary. He linked the issue to national shortages of nurses, medical laboratory technologists and pharmacists, and asked the relevant Ministers to provide a solution. Oral Question: Health Service Delivery - Supplementary Questions and Answers Read →
- 24 October 2025 Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage provided details on Sri Lanka’s cricket infrastructure, stating that there are seven international cricket stadiums, including five owned by Sri Lanka Cricket and two club grounds used for international matches, with two further stadiums proposed in Diyagama and Jaffna. He said lists of grounds with turf, gravel or other pitches, school turf-wicket grounds, and district association grounds or proposals had been provided in annexes. He also stated that Sri Lanka Cricket allocates approximately Rs. 1.5 billion annually through the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association for school cricket development, including infrastructure, equipment, coaching, assistance and competitions. Oral Question: International and School Cricket Stadiums (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary In reply to a question, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa provided recorded figures on Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani student admissions and stated that 1,990 graduates who completed studies and internships are awaiting employment. He said the Sri Lanka Ayurveda Medical Service has 502 vacancies out of an approved cadre of 2,567, with Cabinet approval to recruit 304 medical officers from specified academic years, whose appointments are scheduled for 03 November, while further approvals will be sought to fill remaining vacancies after required training. He also said proposals to develop the Mullaitivu District Siddha Hospital and link Ayurveda/Siddha/Unani services with tourism would be considered in consultation with area MPs. Oral Question: Students Admitted to Government Universities for Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister clarified that the 2024 disclosure of 2019 examination results was made through an RTI request and was not inconsistent with her earlier answer. Regarding Development Officers, she said the Government is awaiting court processes and Public Service Commission guidance, seeking to expedite long-pending cases with the Justice Minister’s advice, and will resolve the issue under the teacher service constitution. She also stated that a report on GWUIM has been requested and that action will be taken according to its recommendations. Ministerial Statement: Teacher Vacancies and Development Officers Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the Dharmacharya examination process, noting delays from the 2019 written examination to the 2024 release of results, and called for appointments to be made based on the 2019 results before conducting new examinations. He urged implementation of a court settlement to absorb 16,600 Development Officers who served in schools into the teacher service, and asked why reported teacher vacancies could not be filled by them and unemployed graduates. He also called for urgent action on alleged curriculum irregularities and infrastructure deficiencies at GWUIM, including lecture halls, laboratories and residential facilities. Ministerial Statement: Teacher Vacancies and Development Officers Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya provided detailed figures on teacher vacancies as of 31 May 2025, noting 1,501 vacancies in National Schools and 36,178 in Provincial Schools, and outlined planned recruitments in priority subject areas, including foreign languages. She said some recruitment processes, including in-service graduate appointments and Dharmacharya-qualified teacher appointments, have been delayed by court orders, fiscal controls, vacancy limitations, and pending Cabinet or Public Service Commission directions. She also stated that no programme has been implemented to return Development Officers posted to schools to other state institutions, and that action will depend on pending court cases. On Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, she said UGC and other committee reports are being considered, while clinical training has begun following the establishment of professorial units and assignment of staff. Ministerial Statement: Teacher Vacancies and Development Officers Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Undergraduate enrolment at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura totals 18,753 across ten faculties, with the largest numbers in Management Studies and Commerce, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Applied Sciences. The Minister stated that ragging, as defined under the Prohibition of Ragging and Other Forms of Violence in Educational Institutions Act, No. 20 of 1998, exists in many faculties but rejected the claim that it is currently “very severe” at the university. She outlined preventive measures including off-campus accommodation for first-year male students, stricter supervision, plans to separate first-year Technology students, and disciplinary action under UGC Circular 946, the 1986 student discipline framework, and Act No. 20 of 1998, with court referrals where necessary. She also noted the role of the National Task Force to Prevent Ragging and Violence in Universities and Higher Education Institutions in promoting violence-free university environments. Oral Question 11: University Faculty Enrolment (Answer Tabled) Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna) SJB AI summary The Member asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to provide faculty-wise student numbers at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He also asked whether the Minister is aware of severe ragging at the university and, if so, what measures are being taken to control it. Oral Question 11: University Faculty Enrolment (Answer Tabled) Read →
- 10 October 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 legal education is already included within Civic Education, citing the Grade 6 Term 3 module and its objectives on legal awareness, responsible use of legal documents, law-abiding citizenship, and national development. She said similar modules are proposed for Grades 7 and 8, and that the Government would consider renaming the subject and introducing Law as an optional subject at O/L and A/L within ongoing education reforms. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama JJB AI summary Ruwan Mapalagama supported expanding Civic Education into “Law and Civic Education” to give students early awareness of lawful conduct, rights, and responsibilities. He argued that legal education could help children recognize and report abuse, and said it would reinforce the Government’s policy of equal application of the law. He also endorsed the proposal to offer Law as an optional subject at O/L and A/L. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne - Deputy Minister of Mass Media JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government supports improving citizens’ practical legal knowledge, including civil and everyday law, and is considering the inclusion of Law in the school curriculum. She noted that advisory discussions had identified gaps in current legal content, while the specific scope, grade levels, and implementation details were still being finalized. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera criticized the absence of the subject Minister during discussion of a significant matter and said the Government’s position should normally be presented by the responsible Minister. He argued that legal education should be given greater priority in the school curriculum despite concerns about curriculum overload, as basic legal knowledge is necessary across professions and sectors. He noted that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka had formally submitted proposals to the relevant Ministers and called for a clear Government response. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera welcomed the Government’s agreement to add Law modules to Civic Education from the following year, noting that similar proposals had been raised in earlier Private Members’ debates. He argued that citizens need structured basic knowledge of criminal law, fundamental rights, ethics, civil law, administrative law, and constitutional law because law affects daily life and ignorance is not an excuse. He further proposed introducing Law as an optional subject for GCE O/L and A/L students, while retaining compulsory legal modules within Civic Education. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama stated that Law will not be introduced as a standalone school subject at present. Instead, from next year, a Law module will be incorporated into Civic Education for Grade 6 in Term 3, with similar inclusion across Grades 6 to 11. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani supported the proposal to strengthen legal education, arguing that citizens need practical knowledge of the law to build an ethical, disciplined, and law-abiding society. She stated that the 2026 education reforms will include Law within Civic Education from Grade 6, following earlier parliamentary discussions and requests by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. She outlined a grade-wise module structure from “Law for Life” in Grade 6 to “Government and the Law-abiding Citizen” in Grade 11, with compulsory modules for Grades 6-9 and optional preference-based modules for Grades 10-11, aimed at addressing issues such as child protection, violence, drugs, corruption, fraud, and environmental harm. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper supported the Motion as a basis for broader education reform, urging that civics be taught within a wider social studies framework including history, geography, ethics, rights and responsibilities. He argued that such education should begin at the primary level and be practical rather than exam-focused, while incorporating awareness of Fundamental Rights such as freedom of expression and association under Article 14 of the Constitution. He also referenced Sri Lanka’s historical cultural ties, including with India, and said education should promote identity, belonging, and understanding of regional obligations. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna seconded the Motion and argued that public legal awareness is essential to strengthening the rule of law, noting that citizens cannot rely on ignorance of the law as a defence. He supported introducing or expanding legal education through the school curriculum, building on existing Civic Education content for Grades 10–11. He proposed that specialists determine the appropriate scope, including possible areas such as criminal law, environmental law and anti-corruption, while ensuring it does not overburden students. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama moved a resolution urging the Government to integrate basic legal education into the Civic Education syllabus from Grades 6 to 11, arguing that citizens are expected to know the law despite the absence of structured legal instruction in schools. He proposed renaming Civic Education as “Law and Civic Education” under the 2026 Grade 6 reforms and strengthening legal modules without adding a separate new subject. He cited international examples and noted support from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka for including law in the school curriculum to promote legally aware and responsible citizens. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →