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- 23 May 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary S.M. Marikkar thanked the Prime Minister for the response and emphasized that trust is essential for harmony and effective functioning. Referring to the reported gap between around 2,000 Tamil teacher vacancies and only 69 recruitments, he urged the Government to complete the recruitments within six months and establish a formal mechanism from 1 January 2026. Oral Question 6: Compulsory Teaching of Languages in Schools (Q.222/2024) Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that, while education reforms aim to reduce students’ subject load, learning each other’s languages remains essential. She said the Government is moving to make relevant language subjects compulsory from Grades 6 to 9 and to promote language and cultural learning outside the classroom through joint activities among Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim children, ideally from Grades 1 to 13. Oral Question 6: Compulsory Teaching of Languages in Schools (Q.222/2024) Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked the Prime Minister whether second-language learning is compulsory or optional in schools, noting that Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities often live together across many provinces. He argued that Sinhala children learning Tamil and Tamil and Muslim children learning Sinhala is important for reconciliation, and asked whether the Government intends to make such language study compulsory if it is currently optional. Oral Question 6: Compulsory Teaching of Languages in Schools (Q.222/2024) Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Sinhala is currently taught as a second language to Tamil-medium students and Tamil to Sinhala-medium students from Grades 6 to 9, with optional second-language subjects available in Grades 10 and 11. Curriculum reform beginning with Grade 6 in 2026 will continue this approach, while as of 31 December 2024 there were 820 vacancies for Second Language Sinhala teachers and 2,099 for Second Language Tamil teachers. The reply states that National Diploma in Education holders are being recruited to address these gaps, with appointments effective from 2 May 2025 including 95 Sinhala and 69 Tamil second-language teachers, and future intake adjustments at National Colleges of Education to be considered. Oral Question 6: Compulsory Teaching of Languages in Schools (Q.222/2024) Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary S.M. Marikkar asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education whether the Government has plans to make Sinhala compulsory in Tamil-medium schools and Tamil compulsory in Sinhala-medium schools. He sought details on the implementation timeframe, availability of teachers for this purpose, and measures to fill any related teacher vacancies, or reasons if no such plan exists. Oral Question 6: Compulsory Teaching of Languages in Schools (Q.222/2024) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. Elayathamby Srinath argued that the Government has not yet built confidence among Tamils, particularly regarding land issues in Batticaloa where Forest Department actions are affecting residences, farmland, temples and public spaces. He questioned whether these actions are government-directed, called for mechanisms to restore ownership where wartime displacement caused loss of title documents, and warned against legal or administrative changes enabling dispossession. He also raised concerns about removal of Tamil historical content from textbooks, inadequate Tamil-language access in universities and examinations, and lack of Tamil representation in university council appointments. He further criticized the absence of Government representatives at Mullivaikkal commemorations, called for May 18 to be recognized as a genocide remembrance day, and urged protection of Tamil land, language, culture and equal rights. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence announced a correction to KDU’s 2025–2026 admissions notice regarding the Faculty of Medicine. He stated that the Government has decided admissions to the KDU Faculty of Medicine for that intake will be limited to foreign students and cadet officers only. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Minister stated that arrears in Mahapola scholarship payments that had been outstanding for months have now been settled, though there is a slight delay for the newly enrolled batch. She said the Government is working with the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund to establish a fixed payment date for future disbursements. Oral Question: University Hostels and Student Allowances (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe asked whether the Government could set a fixed monthly date for payment of the Rs. 7,500 Mahapola scholarship allowance to university students. She noted that students currently face uncertainty and delays of one to two months, a problem she said had continued under past governments, and argued that a predictable payment date would help students manage their expenses. Oral Question: University Hostels and Student Allowances (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary There is a severe shortage of hostel facilities across State universities due to past decisions not to build new hostels despite increased student intake and expanded faculties and departments. A space audit has been conducted to identify university buildings that can be converted into hostels, and the UGC has submitted a plan through Vice-Chancellors to the Ministry for implementation. The issue was described as particularly acute outside Colombo, including at the Kilinochchi campus, where lack of accommodation affects students’ ability to attend. Oral Question: University Hostels and Student Allowances (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Asked whether the Government is taking steps to expand hostel facilities for University of Colombo students, noting the loss of the Muttiah Girls’ Hostel and the limited accommodation available. She highlighted the higher accommodation costs faced by outstation students, including those from families of public servants, and asked whether existing or ongoing Government buildings could be used to provide a new hostel for the university. Oral Question: University Hostels and Student Allowances (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that the Urban Development Authority’s role was limited to preparing the urban plan and facilitating relevant institutions within its mandate. He said land for the school had been acquired and handed over to the Southern Province Ministry of Education, which is now responsible for constructing the school, and that the UDA has completed its part. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage JJB AI summary Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage raised a second supplementary question regarding Deiyandara Primary School, stating that after the UDA demolished and removed the school, it had taken over the former school land for carnivals and trade exhibitions while students lacked proper facilities. He asked what intervention would be made by the relevant institution to secure funding and rebuild the school. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Agreed that any removal of a school for development, such as a bus stand, must include a proper relocation plan. Referring to a 2016 decision attributed to political intervention, he noted that although four acres had been allocated for rebuilding the old primary school, poor planning meant it had not been constructed. He stated that, in response to the concerns raised, an investigation would be conducted into the disappearance or status of the former school’s physical assets and necessary action would be taken. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage JJB AI summary Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage raised a supplementary question about the demolition of the century-old Deiyandara Primary School, stating that all 11 buildings had been removed without a plan. He alleged that roofing sheets, timber and iron pipes worth Rs. 40–50 million were unaccounted for and may have been distributed or sold through political associates. He asked whether the Urban Development Authority, which had been entrusted with the land and buildings, would conduct a proper investigation and take action regarding the removal. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that Sinhala-medium courses at Vavuniya College had been stopped after 2016 due to rationalization and teacher shortages in the war context. She said the Government has intervened and plans to reintroduce Sinhala-medium courses from the next intake, beginning where possible with primary teacher training. Oral Question: Teachers' Colleges Training Programme (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran asked the Prime Minister why Tamil-medium courses at the Vavuniya Teachers’ College had been discontinued since 2007. He sought clarification on whether the courses could be restarted and whether any obstacles prevent their resumption, noting that students in the area and elsewhere lack access to the college in Tamil medium. Oral Question: Teachers' Colleges Training Programme (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary There are eight Teachers’ Colleges in Sri Lanka, and the Government plans to further develop them as centres for continuous teacher training rather than close them. The Prime Minister stated that Teachers’ Colleges will be integrated with nearby National Colleges of Education to increase student intake and residential capacity, with an intended intake of 2,175 and hostel capacity expansion to 766 supported by Budget allocations. She also said short-term residential courses for teacher capacity development will be conducted through Teachers’ Colleges during the year. Oral Question: Teachers' Colleges Training Programme (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Harini Amarasuriya – Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Training AI summary The Prime Minister, responding to Hon. Mujibur Rahman, said the Department of Examinations has completed investigations into candidates whose results were suspended and will inform the UGC of those cleared. She stated that if delays affect university applications or recorrection submissions, the relevant deadlines will be extended for those students. Oral Questions - Various Tabled and Private Notice Questions Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Harini Amarasuriya – Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Training AI summary About 40,000 teacher vacancies remain in the education sector, with recruitment delayed by court cases and Public Service Commission recommendations requiring examinations for appointments. The Prime Minister said the Government plans to recruit graduates in line with these requirements and expects to fill some vacancies later in the year. She also undertook to address suspended results affecting university admissions, either by releasing the results or extending the application deadline. Oral Question: Sinhala and Tamil-Medium Government Schools - Teacher Vacancies (Q.4/2025) Read →