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- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake urged the Government to address the situation of 2,900 acting principals when filling around 4,000 principal vacancies, noting that the matter had also arisen at COPA with Treasury officials. He proposed awarding special marks or recognition to acting principals, arguing that recruitment limited to the Education Administrative Service would disadvantage those already serving in difficult, remote schools. He said such measures were needed to ensure fairness for schools in peripheral and border areas where administrative recruits may be reluctant to serve. Oral Question: Acting Principals in Government Schools (Q.Unspecified/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna acknowledged the contribution of teachers who acted as principals during vacancies, particularly in difficult schools, and said discussions with their representatives and officials are ongoing. He stated that future principal appointments must comply with service statutes and be made under the Education Administrative Service and Principals’ Service criteria. He noted there are about 4,000 vacancies, recruitment had been delayed by litigation but can now proceed following Attorney-General’s advice, and the Government may consider rule-compliant compassionate recognition, possibly including a financial component, for those who served. Oral Question: Acting Principals in Government Schools (Q.Unspecified/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake stated that the issue concerning acting principals is significant and cannot be briefly addressed. He emphasized the seriousness of the problem, indicating the need for more detailed consideration. Oral Question: Acting Principals in Government Schools (Q.Unspecified/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake urged that the relevant group be placed at least in Class III, stating that this would meet their expectations. Oral Question: Acting Principals in Government Schools (Q.Unspecified/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said acting principals have sustained small, rural, estate-sector and border village schools for 15–20 years, despite repeated recruitment of graded principals who tend to move to urban schools. He questioned the Government on whether these acting principals would be absorbed or removed, noting that previous proposals to place them in Class III had not received Cabinet or Department of Management Services approval. He urged that they be granted Class III status at minimum, especially as their court case had been withdrawn by consent. Oral Question: Acting Principals in Government Schools (Q.Unspecified/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary As a response on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, it was stated that 2,994 teachers were serving as acting or covering principals as of 30 April 2024, without having been recruited to the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service. A Cabinet memorandum seeking approval to appoint them to Class III on a supra-grade basis was not approved, and the Public Service Commission also declined concurrence under Article 55(3) of the Constitution. The response stated that vacancies in the Principals’ Service must be filled through recruitment and that supra-grade appointments are therefore not possible. Oral Question: Acting Principals in Government Schools (Q.Unspecified/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education for details on the number of acting principals currently serving in government schools. He sought clarification on measures taken for them, whether the present Government is continuing promotion measures initiated by the previous Government, and whether acting principals will receive permanent appointments. Oral Question: Acting Principals in Government Schools (Q.Unspecified/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said teacher shortages persist by subject even in urban schools, alongside uneven deployment across the system. He stated that future graduate recruitments and teacher college intakes should be subject-based and vacancy-based, supported by a teacher balancing policy and an improved data system to track postings and transfers between National and Provincial schools. He also said the Ministry is reviewing school meal implementation with nutrition and health authorities and seeking a technical report to address gaps in provision and documentation. Oral Question: Grade Five Scholarship Examination Successful Candidates (Q.159/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns about severe teacher shortages in National Schools, citing Isipathana College, Colombo, as lacking around 52 teachers and having no English-medium Mathematics teacher. He also questioned reported inadequacies in the quantities of eggs and chicken supplied under the school nutrition programme, and asked what action is being taken on teacher cadre shortages and nutrition provision. Oral Question: Grade Five Scholarship Examination Successful Candidates (Q.159/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary Dr. Madhura Senevirathna stated that the Ministry agrees on the need to accelerate curriculum reform, noting that ICT has not been substantially updated for about 15 years despite the normal eight-year revision cycle. He said the 2026 curriculum development process, including for Grades 1 and 6, is organized into five components covering curriculum, assessment, and strategic changes, with project timelines and accountable officers. He added that gaps in previous reforms have been identified and are being addressed through a structured programme within defined timeframes. Oral Question: Grade Five Scholarship Examination Successful Candidates (Q.159/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the delay in implementing education reforms, noting that the last major syllabus overhaul was in 2016 and planned reforms for 2023 had not occurred. He raised concerns that proposed timelines would delay Grade 6, O/L, and A/L reforms until 2026, 2029, and 2033 respectively, while ICT syllabi remain unrevised, and asked whether the process, including assessment reforms supported by the ADB, could be expedited. Oral Question: Grade Five Scholarship Examination Successful Candidates (Q.159/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister, responding on behalf of the Prime Minister and Education Minister, provided figures for Grade 5 Scholarship Examination pass rates and low-income student numbers from 2022 to 2024. He stated that the examination will continue unchanged until 2029, with a committee to be appointed in 2028 to review its future and the Department of Examinations tasked with redesigning papers to reduce pressure on children. He added that the Government is working to reduce school disparities and introduce alternative school placement and assistance options, with any discontinuation decision to be considered after 2028. Oral Question: Grade Five Scholarship Examination Successful Candidates (Q.159/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education to provide annual figures from 2022 onward on students who passed the Grade Five Scholarship Examination, including how many were from low-income families. He further asked whether measures would be taken to conduct the exam without disadvantaging children and parents, and whether the Government intends to discontinue the exam in future, including the proposed date and reasons for doing so. Oral Question: Grade Five Scholarship Examination Successful Candidates (Q.159/2024) Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed noted the All Ceylon Makkal Congress’s performance in recent local authority elections and argued that the current local election system is flawed, citing alleged political interference in forming a council administration. He questioned whether Opposition-led councils in the North and East would receive government funding and support, stressing that local authorities need resources for roads, preschools, sanitation and livelihood development in war-affected areas. He also requested the Education Minister to issue long-delayed original certificates to over 1,000 teacher trainees from several training colleges, and called for the historic Mannar saltern to be modernized in response to the national salt shortage. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary As part of the education reforms, priority will be given to developing the nearest accessible primary school within a three-kilometre radius. From next year, the programme will be implemented strategically, with resource allocation based on subject-specific needs, including the provision of “friendly classrooms” where required. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella asked what further measures will be taken to improve the approximately 300 child-friendly classrooms developed in Central Province primary schools under the “The Nearest School - The Best School” sub-project. She emphasized their importance for primary education. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary Funds have been allocated for works at all 33 schools, tender processes have been completed, and completion is expected by 2026. He stated that the Government has prioritized funding unfinished school buildings and related facilities this year, with the Central Province’s allocation approximately doubled and many tenders already finalized to expedite completion. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella raised a supplementary question on stalled and deteriorating school infrastructure in the Central Province. She urged the urgent release of Rs. 1,456 million to complete 33 stalled school projects and asked what measures the Government would take regarding nearly 400 schools needing essential maintenance and around 300 village schools at risk, including those under “The Nearest School - The Best School” programme. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Madhura Senevirathna, answering on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, said 1,995 projects were launched in government schools in the Central Province under “The Nearest School - the Best School” programme. He stated that 1,962 projects had been completed, with remaining works to be addressed through 2025 allocations of Rs. 1,000 million to the Central Province Chief Secretary for 29 provincial schools and Rs. 36.58 million to the Central Provincial Department of Education for four projects. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage said the regulations under the Convention Against Doping in Sport Act update Sri Lanka’s prohibited substances list for 2025 in line with WADA, reflecting new substances and risks identified internationally. He argued that doping is driven by excessive pressure to win and poses serious long-term health risks, especially from anabolic agents, stimulants, hormones and contaminated supplements, including among school athletes. He said SLADA conducts national, school-level and pre-international testing with about Rs. 80 million in annual funding, and that penalties include competition bans, recovery of prize money and possible career-ending consequences. He linked anti-doping efforts to the broader need to build a disciplined, healthy sports culture and reduce youth involvement in illicit drugs. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sports Regulations Read →