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- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa stated that he was raising questions in response to serious issues in the education sector. He requested permission to ask a supplementary question after the relevant answers were provided. Questions by Private Notice: Issues in Education and Higher Education Sectors (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition requested that the Government table the unpublished expert committee report on issues at Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, including infrastructure, professorial vacancies, recruitment irregularities, and curriculum revisions. He also asked for a faculty-wise nominal roll of academics with qualifications, and sought clarification from the University Grants Commission on whether recruitment irregularities occurred and what action had been taken. He further raised concerns about inadequate clinical training facilities at Kalutara District General Hospital for the University of Moratuwa Faculty of Medicine, warning that deficiencies such as insufficient beds and lack of minimum standards could affect accreditation, graduation, and internship appointments. Questions by Private Notice: Issues in Education and Higher Education Sectors (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition questioned why Development Officers attached to schools cannot be absorbed into the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service, citing precedent for absorbing trainee graduates into the service. He alleged that the Government had broken promises made while in Opposition and sought to table a Cabinet memorandum by the Prime Minister in support of his point. Questions by Private Notice: Issues in Education and Higher Education Sectors (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about teacher shortages, inadequate university infrastructure, and their impact on students’ rights, degree quality, and future employment. He requested a categorized report on teacher vacancies in National and Provincial schools and a timeframe for filling them. He also asked about appointments for Dharmacharya-qualified candidates who passed the 2019 examination, including whether petitions before the Public Petitions Committee would receive priority. He further questioned why School Development Officers who have been teaching for several years have not been absorbed into the teaching service under previously proposed conditions, citing precedents and their service during the COVID-19 period. Questions by Private Notice: Issues in Education and Higher Education Sectors (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara JJB AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara outlined the historical development of youth services institutions, stating that the National Youth Services Council emerged from initiatives beginning with youth clubs in 1952 and legislation in the 1960s, including the National Voluntary Youth Service Bill No. 11 of 1967 and its 1968 amendment. He disputed claims that Ranil Wickremesinghe established the Council, noting Wickremesinghe was not in Parliament at the time. He added that current youth programmes are being advanced in an orderly manner under 14 core objectives with the relevant Minister and Deputy Ministers. Oral Question: National Youth Services Council Objectives (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath said the institution was established to provide youth with leadership training and exposure to diverse cultures. He expressed confidence in the young Deputy Minister responsible for the relevant institutions and noted that notable artistes such as Chandralekha Perera and Chandrasena Hettiarachchi had emerged through its work in the past. Oral Question: National Youth Services Council Objectives (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister, responding on behalf of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, stated that the National Youth Services Council was established on 11 October 1968 under Act No. 52 of 1968, as amended, and outlined its 14 statutory objectives. He said the Council has four affiliated institutions and 61 training centres, all of which are currently in operation. He further stated that no new constructions had been commenced, so related follow-up questions did not arise. Oral Question: National Youth Services Council Objectives (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath asked the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to provide details on the establishment, objectives, affiliated institutions, and training centres of the National Youth Services Council, including whether those centres are operational. He also sought information on building construction projects commenced between 2020 and 2024 under the Council, whether any remain incomplete, and what action will be taken regarding them. Oral Question: National Youth Services Council Objectives (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha thanked the Prime Minister for providing clear and detailed answers on matters concerning the university system. He noted the system’s importance to the country’s future and economic development. Oral Question: University Admissions based on G.C.E. (A/L) Examination Results Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya answered a question on the 2025 university intake, stating that 274,361 candidates sat the G.C.E. (A/L) examination and 177,920 obtained minimum qualifications for university admission. She said the proposed 2024/2025 intake is 43,237, equal to 15.76% of candidates who sat and about 24.3% of those qualified, with additional places allocated through new and existing programmes across several universities. She added that ongoing higher education reforms aim to expand academic, professional and technical degree pathways so that at least 50% of students entering Grade 1 eventually access advanced higher education. Oral Question: University Admissions based on G.C.E. (A/L) Examination Results Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha asked the Prime Minister for detailed data on the 2025 G.C.E. (A/L) examination and university admissions, including candidates by stream, numbers qualified, expected university intake, and the intake as a percentage of those who sat and qualified. He further sought information on whether the 2025 university intake has increased, the courses affected, and the Government’s measures to expand university admissions. Oral Question: University Admissions based on G.C.E. (A/L) Examination Results Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Ministry of the Digital Economy is assessing national digital infrastructure needs and coordinating interventions with relevant ministries. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that, with the Ministry of Education, about 80% of required digitalization infrastructure has been assessed across provinces, schools and education zones, and an action plan has been prepared to provide the necessary facilities. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board (Q.1/2024) and Digital Economy Initiatives (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 9 September 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 each university degree programme is being assessed separately to ensure the first graduating batch receives recognized and adequate qualifications. She said subject experts are being appointed to advise on quality assurance, with simpler programmes expected to be resolved sooner and more complex ones requiring further scrutiny. She emphasized that no student would be allowed to graduate without guarantees of acceptable quality and recognition by the university system and relevant stakeholders. Procedural and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Asked whether the proposed changes to the nomenclature or status of the indigenous medicine university would be implemented before its first batch of more than 3,000 students graduates in November or December 2025. He warned that, without timely changes, those students would receive management degrees under the existing name associated with an indigenous medicine university. Procedural and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on Gampaha Wickramarachchi University, stating that a committee had proposed either affiliating or transferring current programmes to other universities, or continuing the university with improved resources and facilities. She said stakeholder discussions and curriculum reviews are ongoing, with the aim of protecting current students, maintaining programme specializations where possible, improving employability, and resolving infrastructure issues including relocation of some faculties and departments. Admissions to several faculties have been temporarily suspended on UGC instructions, and the UGC will conduct inquiries with legal action to proceed where necessary. Procedural and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer to a question on teacher vacancies in Government schools in the Eastern Province. She stated that National Schools do not have an acute overall shortage but face subject-specific vacancies in Mathematics, Geography, Civics and GCE A/L English, while Provincial Schools have significant vacancies as reported by the Provincial Director of Education. Subject- and district-wise details were provided in annexes for National and Provincial Schools. Oral Question: Government Schools in Eastern Province - Teacher Vacancies (Q.1112/2025) Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Minister presented the Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education concerning the 2022 Annual Report of the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka and the 2023 Annual Report of the University of Peradeniya. The reports had been referred to the Committee and were ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Tabled and Committee Reports Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj JJB AI summary Kitnan Selvaraj supported the Adjournment Motion, framing it as part of addressing Sri Lanka’s long-standing ethnic question and its effects on harmony, human rights, and development. He emphasized the rights of Hill Country Tamils, citing the NPP’s Hatton Declaration, proposals to recognize “Malaiyaha Tamils” as Sri Lankan citizens, provide legal land rights, and improve education through targeted reforms and funding. He also urged that future measures include support and recognition for former LTTE combatants, particularly disabled and destitute individuals. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister thanked Hon. Shritharan for the motion in the context of the upcoming UNHRC session and argued that sustainable peace depends on equal opportunity, justice, accountability, and equitable economic development across communities and regions. She outlined Budget priorities for the North and Malaiyaha areas, including rural roads, bridges, agriculture, transport, education, housing, land, sanitation, and recognition of Malaiyaha people as Sri Lankan citizens. She also highlighted legal measures prohibiting child domestic labour, child begging, and hazardous work under 18, and emphasized women’s political participation, women’s action societies, cottage industry development, equal pay, media freedom, and protection of fundamental rights. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan supported the adjournment motion and urged the Government to take credible steps on Tamil grievances, including holding long-delayed Provincial Council elections, beginning constitutional reform talks, and implementing key LLRC recommendations. He argued for an inclusive Sri Lankan identity recognizing all communities, languages, and religions, while noting that responsibility now lies with the current Government despite many issues originating under previous administrations. He also called for land and housing rights and stronger local governance for plantation communities, citing measures taken during 2015–2019, and demanded affirmative action for estate schools and other marginalized groups. He reminded the Government of its 2023 Hatton Declaration commitments on plantation people’s rights and urged implementation. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →