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- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman stated that the Minister’s clarification confirmed a nationwide teacher shortage, framing his supplementary question around the scale of the staffing gap in schools. Oral Question: Sinhala and Tamil-Medium Government Schools - Teacher Vacancies (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya provided figures on teacher vacancies by medium and grade level nationally, in the Western Province, and in the Colombo Education Zone. She stated that appointments to Grade 3-1(a) of the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service had been granted effective 2 May 2025 to National College of Education diploma holders from the 2020–2022 batch. She further noted that recruitments to fill remaining vacancies are ongoing, but recruitment processes under the 2024 estate-sector Tamil-medium gazette and the 2023 graduate recruitment gazette are delayed due to pending court orders, with further action to follow after the cases are concluded. Oral Question: Sinhala and Tamil-Medium Government Schools - Teacher Vacancies (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education to provide detailed figures on teacher vacancies in Sinhala- and Tamil-medium government schools, disaggregated by grade levels 1–5 and 6–11. He requested this information nationally, for the Western Province, and for the Colombo Education Zone, and asked what steps will be taken to fill the vacancies and within what timeframe. Oral Question: Sinhala and Tamil-Medium Government Schools - Teacher Vacancies (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister, as Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, tabled the 2022 Annual Report and Annual Financial Statement of the Institute of Resource Development of the University of Colombo. She proposed that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour Force and Human Resources Development, and the House agreed. Papers - Annual Reports Tabling Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister outlined problems in intermediate-grade admissions to National Schools, noting that high demand and Cabinet-authorized exceptions had led to admissions beyond vacancies and class-size limits. She said this had caused overcrowding, reduced opportunities for Grade 5 Scholarship entrants, complicated staff transfers, contributed to complaints and investigations, and widened inequities between popular National Schools and other schools. She proposed revising admission authority and circulars to prohibit admissions without vacancies or beyond maximum class sizes, establish fair and transparent criteria with limited hardship exceptions, and pursue broader reforms including improved resources and expanded bilingual education. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister addressed concerns regarding appointments from the 2020/2022 batch, noting that personal circumstances of appointees may have changed over the five-year period. She stated that while school staffing needs must be met, appointees should first accept their current postings and then seek transfers through an agreed process, including mutual transfers across regions. Appeals would be considered on a case-by-case basis after acceptance of postings. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan urged the Prime Minister to consider the difficulties faced by teacher trainees from the North and East who, after three years of training, are being posted to distant southern schools with low starting salaries and an eight-year mandatory service requirement. He requested a rule allowing transfers back to their home districts after two years, citing humanitarian concerns and noting existing vacancies in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, and Vavuniya. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister said teacher requirements are assessed by subject, vacancies, retirements and difficult-area needs, with National College of Education intakes aligned accordingly. She stated that appointments after the National Diploma in Teaching are based on final-year competitive results, and that trainees may be posted outside their district or province where vacancies are unavailable, as permitted by the relevant 2020 Gazette. She acknowledged concerns about recruitment, vacancy identification and postings, and said the Ministry is reviewing these procedures to identify necessary corrections. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns under Standing Order 27(2) about the posting of National Colleges of Education diploma-holders after training. He asked whether admissions are based on district subject vacancies and questioned the fairness of assigning graduates to distant areas despite shortages in their home districts. He requested that factors such as family circumstances, economic hardship, transport, accommodation and personal safety be considered, and urged the Minister to place trainees within the districts for which they were originally recruited. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Prime Minister AI summary The Prime Minister addressed the Sabaragamuwa University student death, stating that the UGC has initiated an inquiry through a committee with UGC representatives, separate from the police investigation. She outlined existing and strengthened complaint mechanisms, including a 24-hour helpline, online portal, university gender focal points, and reporting requirements to the UGC. She said Vice Chancellors and relevant university officials have been instructed to enforce existing law while a Task Force identifies short-, medium- and long-term preventive measures on ragging, bullying, harassment and online violence, with possible legislative review if current laws are found insufficient. She also noted the establishment of a Survivor Support System to assist victims and witnesses in reporting violence and harassment. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya questioned whether a multi-part query was appropriate under Standing Order 27(2), which is intended for urgent public importance matters, and requested a ruling from the Speaker. Subject to that ruling, she stated that UGC institutions plan to admit 43,237 students for the 2024/2025 academic year, with the average annual cost per student estimated at Rs. 405,313 in 2022. She outlined alternative higher education pathways, noted the absence of comprehensive data on students going overseas, and said the UGC has been asked to develop a policy framework for regulating and recognizing the non-State higher education sector. She also provided figures on foreign students and said the Interest-Free Student Loan Scheme has benefited over 22,000 students, with loan limits increased by a September 2024 Cabinet decision. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised a Standing Order 27(2) question on higher education capacity following the 2024 GCE A/L results, asking for data on State university intake, per-student costs, options for qualified students not admitted, overseas study-related foreign exchange outflows, and the possible expansion of quality private universities and interest-free student loans. He also asked whether Sri Lanka could attract more foreign students and develop educational tourism, citing regional examples. Separately, he sought details on action taken after a reported Sabaragamuwa University death linked to possible ragging, including investigations, prevention mechanisms, enforcement of anti-ragging laws, awareness programmes, complaint systems, student welfare measures, and a list of registered university student unions. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over a reported abuse incident on 23 October 2024, subsequent pressure on the victim, humiliation at a tuition class, and the victim’s suicide on 29 April 2025, noting that the relevant teacher was transferred only on 8 May 2025. He said the matter was being raised based on direct information rather than social media, and called for proper procedures to prevent similar tragedies, while noting the Prime Minister’s assurance that action would be taken. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister stated that an investigation is underway into the incident and that a proper mechanism with appropriate skills and resources is being established. She said the Ministry had already initiated action before the demonstration, including transferring the teacher and seeking explanations from the principal on reporting failures and related decisions. She urged that conclusions not be drawn from social media accounts, and emphasized protecting the child’s best interests, supporting the family and affected school community, and avoiding politicization of the tragedy. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman raised concerns over the handling of a child’s case involving alleged misconduct by a teacher, subsequent police action, and the school principal’s pressure on the parents to remove the child without a proper inquiry. He said the child later suffered public humiliation at a tuition class, contributing to severe psychological trauma, and questioned reports that police had provided protection to the tuition teacher despite serious allegations. He requested a joint investigation by the Ministry of Education and the Police to restore public confidence. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised the suicide of a 15-year-old schoolgirl following alleged sexual abuse at school and subsequent public disclosure of the incident by a tuition teacher. He questioned delays in action, including the alleged perpetrator’s transfer months after the incident, and noted that the National Child Protection Authority had not been properly informed despite police notification from a hospital doctor. He urged the Prime Minister to establish an automatic, coordinated mechanism for preventing abuse, ensuring immediate reporting to the NCPA and law enforcement, and taking action against those who further victimise children. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Read →
- 9 May 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 tabled answers to a question regarding National Schools in the Dehiwala DS Division. He stated that there is no boys’ National School in the Division, no current plan to establish one, and no ongoing programme to create new National Schools or convert any school in the Division to National School status. Oral Questions - Second Round (Q.2/2024, Q.3/2025, Q.4/2025, Q.5/2025, Q.6/2025) Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. S.M. Marikkar) SJB AI summary Asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education whether the Government intends to establish a boys’ National School in the Dehiwala Divisional Secretary’s Division, noting that a girls’ National School already exists there. The question sought details on any identified school for conversion, facilities to be provided, the expected establishment date, and, if no such plan exists, the reasons for that decision. Oral Questions - Second Round (Q.2/2024, Q.3/2025, Q.4/2025, Q.5/2025, Q.6/2025) Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan raised two separate incidents concerning a student who later died by suicide after jumping from a fourth floor, noting that an earlier incident at South Colombo school was already subject to a police B Report. He said the immediate alleged cause was humiliation by a tuition class proprietor/teacher in front of other students, after which the student had sought counselling for stress. He urged the authorities to examine the matter without politicising it, while noting that the proprietor was reportedly a Colombo North organizer of the governing party, though he did not attribute blame to the party. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan raised concern over ongoing protests outside a South Colombo girls’ school following the death by suicide of a student who had allegedly suffered sexual misconduct by a teacher and later public humiliation by a private tuition proprietor. He urged the Government not to use tear gas or water cannons against the protesters and called for an immediate special investigation by police and education officials. He also requested a fair, pressure-free inquiry, noting public concern that the tuition proprietor was linked to the governing party. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →