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- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Sivagnanam Shritharan questioned the Prime Minister and Minister of Education on the status of the Sri Lanka-German Technical Training Institute in Kilinochchi, established with German assistance for war-affected youth in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. He raised concerns over the absence of Gazette recognition, staff shortages, reduced cadre, incomplete hostel facilities, alleged loss of autonomy through linkage to the Colombo German Technical Training Institute, and language and management issues affecting students. He requested details on current enrolment by ethnicity and course, ongoing programmes, reasons for the delayed Gazette notification, and timelines to address resource and staffing gaps and enable the institute to function independently in Kilinochchi. Private Notice Question: Sri Lanka-German Technical Training Institute Autonomous Status Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Thousands of school infrastructure projects are reported to be incomplete, poorly executed, or halted, indicating a systemic issue rather than isolated failures. The priority identified is to complete such works to ensure children’s safety and school functionality, while also pursuing action over losses and non-performance across the system. Oral Question: Kuliyapitiya Central College Function Hall (Q.801/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary A response was provided to Question 801/2025 on the auditorium at Kuliyapitiya Central College, clarifying that it is not a large function hall and that the Ministry of Education has spent Rs. 206,177,622.83 to date. For partially completed “Nearest School, Best School” projects with legal complications, the matter will be referred for a Cabinet decision before further action is taken. The remaining cost has not yet been calculated and will depend on decisions regarding contract termination and a technical assessment, including the air-conditioning system. Oral Question: Kuliyapitiya Central College Function Hall (Q.801/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Only 23 schools have been formally gazetted as National Schools so far. The minister stated that the remaining schools are under review and that the Government will not make arbitrary changes to school classifications, adding that well-run Provincial schools will be supported within their existing structure through systematic intervention. Oral Question: National Schools Distribution and Development (Q.381/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana asked the Prime Minister to clarify the status of schools selected under the previous Government’s programme to create 1,000 National Schools. He said many selected schools, including popular Provincial schools in the Western Province, are now in an uncertain administrative position and sought a clear answer on whether all 1,000 would be confirmed as National Schools or only the 23 referred to by the Prime Minister. Oral Question: National Schools Distribution and Development (Q.381/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Minister stated that there is no current plan to return the schools in question to Provincial administration. She said many schools had been designated as National Schools without a corresponding development programme, and that the Government has identified them and is using budgetary allocations to upgrade them to the required standards. Oral Question: National Schools Distribution and Development (Q.381/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana asked the Prime Minister to clarify the status of 1,000 Provincial Council schools that were designated as National Schools under the previous Government, noting that signboards and ceremonies were held but formal conversion may have been limited. He said principals had recently received a circular instructing them not to use the title “National School” and warning of consequences, and asked whether these schools would remain national schools or be returned to provincial administration. Oral Question: National Schools Distribution and Development (Q.381/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary In response to Question 381/2025, the Prime Minister provided data on National Schools and Provincial Council schools, including provincial distribution and numbers of students, teachers, and non-academic staff, with annexes placed in the Library. She stated that the previous Government converted 23 Provincial Council schools into National Schools. She also outlined development measures for those schools, including repairs, quality input grants, demolition of unsafe structures, sanitation improvements, safety measures, provision of furniture and equipment, and related infrastructure works. Oral Question: National Schools Distribution and Development (Q.381/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The Health Ministry emphasized that all medical graduates, whether from state universities, Kotelawala Defence University, or foreign universities after passing the Act 16 examination, require proper internship training before practising. Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa noted that shortages of certified consultants are limiting internship placements and said a temporary decision had been taken after consultations. He stated that the Government must urgently develop a sustainable mechanism to provide internships and ensure the quality of doctors entering state service, the private sector, or working abroad. Oral Question: Government Universities and Higher Education Admissions (Q.381/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary The Minister said health workforce placements are becoming constrained and that staffing requirements must be reassessed alongside the output of state medical faculties. He stated that universities will not be closed, but a time-bound, multi-party review will determine the appropriate course of action. Oral Question: Government Universities and Higher Education Admissions (Q.381/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna said the Government’s education reforms aim to expand higher education pathways beyond universities by integrating vocational education into schools, creating progression routes into higher education, and aligning training with job creation under the economic programme. He said work on transnational education is focused on quality enhancement and exchange programmes with state and other universities, guided by student needs and UNESCO competency-based approaches. On Kotelawala Defence University, he said its medical graduate output and hospital placement capacity are being reviewed through a multi-stakeholder process, stressing that universities are not being closed and noting that KDU comes under the Ministry of Defence rather than the UGC. Oral Question: Government Universities and Higher Education Admissions (Q.381/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked why the Government had stopped the third Z-score-based intake to the Kotelawala Defence University Medical Faculty and urged intervention to keep it open to local students, citing a reported Supreme Court case and discussions between Vice Chancellors and the President. He linked the issue to shortages and emigration of doctors, arguing that university capacity should be expanded rather than restricted. He also proposed using medical education capacity to attract foreign students and earn foreign exchange. Oral Question: Government Universities and Higher Education Admissions (Q.381/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a supplementary question on higher education capacity and foreign exchange outflows. He noted that while 174,000 students reportedly qualify for university admission after the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination, only about 55,400 are accommodated by the UGC in 22 universities, and cited media reports that around 100,000 students go abroad annually for higher education. He sought to quantify the resulting financial outflow, estimating an average annual cost of Rs. 7 million per student and referring to its conversion into US dollars. Oral Question: Government Universities and Higher Education Admissions (Q.381/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Madhura Senevirathna, replying on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, provided detailed data on Sri Lanka’s higher education sector, including 17 UGC universities with 122 faculties, several other state higher education institutions, student enrolments, faculty numbers, and professor counts. He stated that, under the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978, only state universities are termed “universities,” while 28 private/local degree-awarding institutes are recognized under Section 25A, with 49,146 students enrolled as at 31 December 2024. He said the Ministry does not maintain per-student cost data for private degree-awarding institutes because they do not receive Treasury funding, though their recognition criteria and annual reports are subject to oversight. Oral Question: Government Universities and Higher Education Admissions (Q.381/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to provide detailed data on Sri Lanka’s government and private universities. He requested figures on universities, faculties, student enrolment, professors, operating costs, student costs, degree costs by discipline, asset values, and world rankings, with separate information for each institution. Oral Question: Government Universities and Higher Education Admissions (Q.381/2025) Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha criticized the Government’s reported decision to restrict Kotelawala Defence University medical faculty admissions to foreign students and cadets, excluding Sri Lankan civilian students. He argued that KDU provides a domestic pathway for students who narrowly miss State medical admission, retains foreign exchange that would otherwise be spent on overseas medical education, and helps address doctor shortages in regional hospitals. He questioned whether the Minister of Education and Government members support the decision, asked how public investment in KDU is being justified, and urged the Government to reverse the policy. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Nalinda Jayatissa tabled an answer stating that Sri Lanka has 10,096 government schools, with 498 teaching Engineering Technology and 485 teaching Bio Systems Technology. The answer said schools may introduce the Technology stream where there is demand, sufficient student numbers, and adequate physical and human resources, subject to approval through provincial and ministry structure committees. It also noted that Technology is currently offered only at G.C.E. Advanced Level, while proposed education reforms include introducing “Life and Technology” from Grade 6. Oral Question Second Round: Physical Training Instructors and Other Matters (Tabled Answers) Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, it was stated that Bt/Kayankuda Kannahi Vidyalaya and Bt/Korakkallimadu Sri Ramana Maharishi Vidyalaya are Grade 1C schools whose students won national first places in Elle and Kabaddi respectively. The response noted that one sports coach has been appointed to the former school and two to the latter, and therefore no physical training instructors are considered necessary. Oral Question Second Round: Physical Training Instructors and Other Matters (Tabled Answers) Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam) SJB AI summary Asked whether the Prime Minister and Minister of Education was aware that Bt/Kayankuda Kannahi Vidyalaya and Bt/Korakkallimadu Sri Ramana Maharishi Vidyalaya are IC category schools whose students won national-level first places in Elle and Kabaddi, respectively, despite lacking physical training instructors. He requested that the Government inform Parliament whether steps will be taken to appoint physical training instructors to these schools, and if not, the reasons for not doing so. Oral Question Second Round: Physical Training Instructors and Other Matters (Tabled Answers) Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that addressing teacher shortages requires both long-term recruitment and training, noting that producing a qualified teacher takes three to four years. She said online and blended learning could be used as an interim measure while sufficient teachers are trained and deployed. Oral Question 6: Compulsory Teaching of Languages in Schools (Q.222/2024) Read →