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- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary No prosecutions have been instituted by the 17 universities under Act No. 20 of 1998 on ragging during the past five years, while research on the issue has been conducted by the UGC Centre for Gender Equity/Equality and through academic theses. Measures underway include strengthening UGC circulars and complaint mechanisms, creating a 24/7 hotline, linking university anti-ragging task forces, and issuing a victim-centred support system circular in February 2025. Further proposed actions include offender rehabilitation, training disciplinary authorities, introducing a “Living with Diversity” module, and reforming student union governance to promote inclusivity, gender equality, and democratic representation. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake asked the Prime Minister for information on the enforcement of the Prohibition of Ragging and Other Forms of Violence in Educational Institutions Act, No. 20 of 1998, amid continuing reports of ragging in universities and higher education institutions. He requested details on prosecutions and convictions during the past five years, whether studies have examined the causes of continued ragging, and what measures the Government will take to prevent such incidents. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government’s education transformation programme has been developed over several years through research, surveys, consultations and public input, rejecting the view that it is a hastily copied plan. She said the programme goes beyond curriculum reform to include physical and human resource requirements, policy and legal changes, and continuous evaluation, and framed it as a Government priority for national recovery. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that previous education initiatives, including subject changes and projects such as “Nearest School is the Best School,” did not amount to comprehensive reforms. She said no special study had been conducted on the success or failure of past reforms, but monitoring and evaluation would be built into the proposed reforms starting in 2026. The National Education Commission would be tasked with reviewing implementation and feeding study findings back into the reform process. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Danushka Ranganath asked the Prime Minister whether the Ministry has evaluated the outcomes of education reforms implemented under successive governments. He sought clarification on whether past reforms have been assessed for their success or failure. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government is pursuing reforms in both higher and general education, with an expert committee appointed to recommend changes in higher education. She said school curricula are being reviewed to meet domestic and global economic and social needs while reducing pressure on teachers and students, with legal measures and a phased rollout planned from 2026 starting with Grades 1 and 6. She added that the reforms are aligned with national education goals and the Sustainable Development Goals, and that no significant obstacles have been identified to expediting the process. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath asked the Prime Minister whether the Government accepts the need for rapid reform of the education system to support future economic growth and national needs. He sought details on planned curriculum reforms in schools, universities and other higher education institutions, including implementation methods, timelines, expected outcomes and any obstacles to expediting the reforms. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya clarified that the Kotelawala Defence University does not admit students through the Z-score system but uses its own admissions procedure. She stated that the Act is under review to ensure the institution operates lawfully, protects equal educational opportunities, and does not place an undue burden on the Ministry of Defence. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns about admissions for civilian students in non-medical streams such as engineering, accountancy and computing. He argued that admissions should be based on the Z-score system to ensure fairness and prevent commercialization of university opportunities, questioning how engineering students would otherwise be selected and alleging that opportunities for 110,000 students had been affected. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Minister distinguishes between commercializing education for foreign revenue and the Government’s policy of expanding equitable, quality higher education based on student capability rather than financial capacity. She states that the current KDU Act does not allow admission of civilian students and that legislative amendments would be required. Referring to KDU’s original purpose as a military cadet training institution, she proposes developing it into an international-level military defence university through lawful amendments and investment, while ensuring it is equitable and not a burden on the Ministry of Defence. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the fairness of KDU admissions where Sri Lankans applying from overseas may gain entry while local students from areas such as Ratmalana, Moratuwa, Jaffna or Galle cannot. He urged the Government to revisit the policy to expand medical training, increase the number of doctors, and retain revenue within Sri Lanka rather than sending students abroad at high cost. He also called for policy changes to position Sri Lanka as a hub, including for education and tourism. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister answered that 135 specialist medical officers and 937 nursing officers are abroad on approved overseas leave, mainly to countries including the United Kingdom and Australia. She stated that some hospitals face shortages in paediatrics, anaesthesiology and neurology, but services are being maintained through human resource management and acting appointments for returning trained medical officers. She also clarified that public sector salary increases are governed by Public Administration Circular 10/2025, KDU medical admissions generally follow its own procedure rather than the UGC Z-score system, and no separate foreign exchange mechanism has been identified beyond requirements under Circular 14/2022 for officers abroad to deposit funds into non-resident foreign currency accounts. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah supported the Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, citing past gaps in laws and systems to address data theft, cybercrime, and technology-enabled bank fraud. He urged the Government to strengthen secure data centres and protection mechanisms as part of its digitalization agenda, while noting the role of Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya in advancing this work. He also called for updated university IT curricula, practical training in AI and cybersecurity, and collaboration with private universities and SLASSCOM to prepare youth for online work opportunities and increase foreign exchange earnings. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe supported the amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act, No. 9 of 2022, arguing that stronger regulation is needed to secure personal data shared through health services, digital platforms, institutions, and biometric systems. He said Sri Lanka had fallen behind global technological trends due to past policy failures, and linked the amendment to the Government’s digitalization programme alongside Clean Sri Lanka and rural poverty eradication. He stated that the legislation would help protect data subjects, deter misuse through penalties, align with international norms such as EU data protection standards, and support innovation in a digital economy. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera questioned why public corporations and Companies Act entities are excluded from the requirement to appoint Data Protection Officers under Clause 13, noting that many state entities handle IT and work with the private sector. He supported the need for a digital economy and the proposed amendments despite delays in making the Data Protection Authority fully operational by 18 March 2025. He also urged the Government, particularly the IT Ministry, to establish structured and mandatory IT internship programmes for university students, especially those from remote state universities. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Chandana Thennakoon JJB AI summary The speech supported amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act, emphasizing the need to protect personal data amid rapid digitization and widespread collection, processing and sharing by public bodies, businesses and social media platforms. It noted obstacles to implementation of the 2022 Act, including low public awareness, limited computer literacy, insufficient technical capacity and outdated government technology. The member said the Government is advancing digitization and cybersecurity, including through Cabinet approval of the second National Cyber Security Strategy prepared by Sri Lanka CERT, to strengthen data protection and public trust. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Clearance from the Department of Management Services has been sought for new recruitments, with discussions ongoing. On the proposal to make the Kilinochchi institute autonomous, the Minister said the Government is considering whether such institutes should operate independently or remain affiliated to CGTTI, noting both operational and recognition-related implications. She stated no timeline can be given, as autonomy would require an amendment to the Act, and the Attorney-General’s opinion and Cabinet approval will be sought before a decision is made. Private Notice Question: Sri Lanka-German Technical Training Institute Autonomous Status Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan asked for a timeframe for completing the procedures to make the German Technical Training Institute an autonomous institution. Private Notice Question: Sri Lanka-German Technical Training Institute Autonomous Status Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan thanked the Prime Minister for responding on efforts to make the National Institute of Education autonomous, while noting that no specific timeline had been given. He urged that the appointment of a Principal to the Institute be conducted through an open, transparent application process rather than through an internal appointment. He also highlighted the difficulties faced by people from the North and East in accessing national management and diploma courses offered at the Maharagama-based Institute. Private Notice Question: Sri Lanka-German Technical Training Institute Autonomous Status Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya responded that the Sri Lanka-German Technical Training Institute in Kilinochchi has not been granted autonomy and currently operates under the Colombo CGTTI framework, which the Government says preserves recognized certification standards. She provided student enrolment figures by ethnicity and NVQ level, outlined the courses offered and admission procedures, and noted that legal amendments would be required to make the institute autonomous under Act No. 15 of 2017. She said student welfare, hostel facilities, infrastructure and staffing issues had been identified, with funds allocated in Budget 2025 and further allocations planned for Budget 2026 to improve facilities and complete hostel construction, while recruitment proposals are under consideration. Private Notice Question: Sri Lanka-German Technical Training Institute Autonomous Status Read →