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- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath raised concerns about educational challenges faced by children in estate-dependent communities in Kalutara District, including Bulathsinhala, Agalawatta, and Palindanuwara, where around 45,000 people live. He asked the Deputy Minister whether steps are being taken to address the significant teacher shortage in estate-related schools, arguing that improving education is essential to uplifting these communities. Oral Question: Tamil-medium Government Schools in Kalutara District A/L Subject Streams (Q.714/2025) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Deputy Minister confirmed that Tamil-medium G.C.E. (O/L) classes are being conducted in the relevant schools. He stated that there are 62 such schools in total, including 15 schools offering Tamil-medium classes from Grades 1 to 11, with the answer to continue. Oral Question: Tamil-medium Government Schools in Kalutara District A/L Subject Streams (Q.714/2025) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary A question was raised regarding Tamil-medium government schools in the Kalutara District that offer Advanced Level subject streams. It sought details on the availability of A/L streams in those schools, likely to assess educational access for Tamil-medium students in the district. Oral Question: Tamil-medium Government Schools in Kalutara District A/L Subject Streams (Q.714/2025) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe requested that canal works be expedited after the harvest and proposed extending the project up to the South Eastern University, which he said suffers flood damage and loss of books during floods. He asked when the works would commence. Oral Question: Main Canal from Deegawapiya to Kaliodai Reconstruction (Q.702/2025) Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Minister stated that there is no immediate plan to abolish the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, but said education reforms are intended to reduce its pressure and enable its gradual abolition, possibly by 2028 or 2029. She said action regarding Development Officers is subject to a pending court case, with Cabinet approval already obtained for the relevant policy decision. She also said the Government aims to upgrade teacher training colleges to university status and ensure teachers obtain degrees, but this will be done progressively while strengthening existing B.Ed. programmes and building necessary resources. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna proposed appointing qualified counsellors to schools, based on student numbers, to identify pupils needing counselling or medical treatment. She sought clarification on education reforms, including the status of plans to upgrade teacher training colleges to universities, measures for Development Officers in schools, and whether changes to the examination system would abolish the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination and alter Grade 6 admissions. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya said the education system is facing serious social well-being and mental health challenges, particularly among students affected by the Easter Sunday attacks, COVID-19 and the economic crisis. She stated that she and the State Minister would meet the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists to discuss comprehensive measures, stressing that low-quality counselling in schools could be harmful. She also highlighted the need for broader system reforms, including strengthening teachers’ skills and addressing the lack of change in teacher training colleges over 16 years. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna expressed support for the Prime Minister’s proposed education reforms and linked the issue to rising mental health concerns, depression, and suicides among students. She asked whether school-based counselling would be included in the reforms and, if so, how it would be implemented. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Government treats education as a right and outlined existing divisional-level mechanisms involving ECD Officers, Child Rights Promotion Officers and public health officials to address issues such as non-attendance and irregular attendance among children. He noted that Child Development Committees are not meeting regularly in some areas and said steps are being taken to systematize the process, including possible intervention through Divisional Coordinating Committees. He also said the Ministry expects to introduce a regulatory mechanism for fees charged by preschools. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Ruwanthilaka Jayakody asked whether the Government has considered measures to protect children’s right to education amid competition among preschools that has led to costly practices and financial burdens on parents. He noted that such costs can cause some parents to withdraw their children from preschool and sought clarification from the Deputy Minister on the issue. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister acknowledged disparities among preschool and early childhood development centres, noting that most are privately run and that 17,152 are registered, with some unregistered centres also operating. He said the Ministry is working on regulation by registering and later regulating diploma-granting institutions that train preschool teachers, supported by ECD Officers and Provincial Council officials. He also referred to plans for a national subject framework and guidelines, measures to improve teacher competency, a morning meal nutrition programme, and work on teacher honoraria, while stating that the Government currently lacks capacity to equalize physical resources across all preschools. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody raised concerns about disparities in facilities and teaching practices among Sri Lanka’s 17,160 registered preschools, citing recent incidents and media reports as grounds to question the quality of early childhood education. He asked whether the Government has taken policy decisions to improve preschool physical facilities, arguing that higher-quality preschool education is important for children’s development and future citizenship. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, the Deputy Minister provided figures on preschools and teachers as at 31 March 2024, stating that there were 17,152 preschools and 30,536 teachers in service, of whom 23,371 had diplomas and 7,165 did not. He outlined the required qualifications for preschool wardens and said a subject framework and guidelines are being prepared with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education and the National Institute of Education for approval by the National Committee. He explained that preschool education forms part of Early Childhood Development for ages 0–5, with responsibilities divided among the Women and Child Affairs, Education, Health, and Provincial Preschool authorities under existing policy and the 13th Amendment. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara JJB AI summary Eranga Gunasekara stated that the Government is coordinating with interested institutions and several embassies to reorganize the centres in question. He said there is a concrete plan to transform them into facilities better suited for youth. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara JJB AI summary The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara stated that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, together with the State Ministers, plans to review and reactivate youth-related institutions, including National Youth Services Council and National Youth Corps centres. He noted that some centres have unfinished construction or are unsuitable and underused, and said the Ministry has identified locations and is preparing measures based on young people’s current needs and priorities. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara JJB AI summary There are 59 training centres under the National Youth Services Council, some of which were established in the past due to political considerations rather than scientific assessment. The Government is reviewing and reorganizing these centres to prioritize their usefulness to youth, prepare a forward plan, and develop them into genuine youth spaces across the country. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath raised a supplementary question about around 60 training centres in the Akurassa Divisional Secretariat Division, suggesting similar issues may exist nationally. He questioned their efficiency and benefit to youth, noting low attendance, lack of motivation or facilities, and unfinished projects from previous governments. He asked whether the new Government has a vision or plan to address the use and maintenance of these centres. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that a Task Force has been appointed to address ragging as part of a wider issue of violence in universities, noting that it can begin before students enter university and continue beyond the first year. She said the Task Force, which includes police, university authorities and student representatives, will examine gaps in implementing existing law, propose amendments if necessary, and define services for new students. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Asked whether the Ministry will ensure that all new university entrants are informed at admission about the 1998 anti-ragging law and related procedures. He noted that little legal action appears to have been taken in recent years and that incidents tend to arise around fresh intakes. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Asked whether the Ministry of Higher Education would provide counselling and related support services for students who suffer psychological and physical harm due to ragging. The question was directed to the Prime Minister in her capacity as Minister of Higher Education. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →