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- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary During the debate on a Resolution under the Customs Ordinance, Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns about National Colleges of Education trainees selected on district and divisional quotas in the North and East being appointed to distant districts despite local subject vacancies. He argued that postings to areas such as Kalutara, Kegalle and Ratnapura cause severe financial and family hardship, especially when appointees were recruited to meet identified local needs. He urged the Government to post such teachers to their home-district vacancies or, where out-of-district service is necessary, include a guarantee of transfer back within two or three years instead of imposing the current eight-year transfer bar. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB AI summary A written answer was tabled stating that the matter raised is known to the Government and that necessary steps are being taken. It noted that, following the B.C. Perera Salary Commission recommendations and Public Administration Circular 2/97 of 15 January 1997, new salary scales were granted to all classes and grades of the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service and Sri Lanka Principals’ Service. Second Round of Oral Questions and Standing Order 27(2) Questions (Tabled) Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna (on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education) JJB AI summary The response clarified that the project in question concerns Regi Ranatunga Model Primary School, Minuwangoda, not President’s College, and began on 13 June 2012 with an initial estimate of about Rs. 150 million and expenditure so far of Rs. 187.8 million. It stated that the contract was directly awarded to the Western Provincial Road Development Authority with funds released annually against staged estimates, and that the work is about 70 per cent complete. The delay was attributed to insufficient annual budgetary allocations to meet remaining stage estimates, with around 12 more months required for completion. Oral Questions: Primary Health Care and School Infrastructure Projects Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that he would examine concerns regarding Primary Medical Care Units where equipment has been supplied but medical officers and staff have not been adequately posted. He said funds are expected to be allocated under the successor PHSEP project, Phase II of the PSSP, to address staffing and related needs in PMCUs and divisional hospitals with PMCU units. Oral Questions: Primary Health Care and School Infrastructure Projects Read →
- 10 April 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary A primary school is proposed within a three-kilometre radius, with locations currently being identified. The Deputy Minister stated that the relevant figures will be presented in due course. Oral Question 10/2024: National Schools - Lack of Qualified Principals Read →
- 10 April 2025 Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked the Deputy Minister for clarification on the policy proposal to establish a primary school within every 3 km radius. He sought details on the number of schools envisaged under the plan and questioned its practical feasibility. Oral Question 10/2024: National Schools - Lack of Qualified Principals Read →
- 10 April 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said uneven demand for posts is linked to better-resourced urban schools attracting more applicants, while vacancies in other schools remain difficult to fill. He noted that some schools had been designated as National Schools without adequate facilities, creating deployment challenges across grades. He informed Parliament that the Public Service Commission has approved recruitment of 550 new Education Administrative Service officers, with appointments to be made shortly to address shortages. Oral Question 10/2024: National Schools - Lack of Qualified Principals Read →
- 10 April 2025 Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised concerns that many National Schools lack qualified principals and argued that the designation of National Schools has often been politically driven without meeting required standards. He questioned why qualified SLEAS Class I officers are not applying for principal posts in certain schools and urged education authorities to examine the reasons teachers are reluctant to take up principal positions, proposing practical solutions such as recruiting more SLEAS Class II officers and addressing underlying issues. Oral Question 10/2024: National Schools - Lack of Qualified Principals Read →
- 10 April 2025 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 stated that Sri Lanka has 398 National Schools and tabled an annex listing them, with a category-wise summary of schools with and without qualified principals. He said vacancies persist because eligible officers are reluctant to apply due to the responsibilities of the posts, and because SLEAS Class I officers have not applied for some schools requiring that grade. He indicated that the appointment procedure will be revised, in consultation with the Education Service Committee of the Public Service Commission, to allow SLEAS Class II officers to apply where SLEAS Class I officers do not. Oral Question 10/2024: National Schools - Lack of Qualified Principals Read →
- 10 April 2025 Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education to provide the number and names of National Schools in Sri Lanka, and to identify which have principals with the required qualifications and which do not. He further sought details on measures to address the shortage of qualified principals, particularly in light of the increased number of National Schools. Oral Question 10/2024: National Schools - Lack of Qualified Principals Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that VAT should be collected throughout the supply chain, including from feed vendors and large traders, while small producers below the threshold remain exempt and can claim input VAT where applicable. He said the Government aims to protect small producers and address structural issues in production costs, while using VAT revenue to fund public services and infrastructure. He also explained changes to Withholding Tax, noting that monthly interest income up to Rs. 150,000 is exempt and deductions apply only to higher interest earners, with declarations available for eligible depositors. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the Government would protect the education rights of all children without discrimination and respond to any impediments, while following procedures for private schools and funding public education. He rejected claims that the Prevention of Terrorism Act was being used oppressively in relation to a youth arrested over a sticker, arguing that authorities must act to prevent public safety risks and extremism-related escalation. On the VAT (Amendment) Bill, he said the Government was reducing VAT burdens on items such as dairy products, addressing SVAT misuse, exempting factory worker transport and meals from VAT, and engaging the United States on tariff issues. He also said small egg producers below the VAT threshold should not use VAT as a reason to raise prices, identifying feed costs as the main issue and noting plans to import maize while protecting local farmers. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan supported the VAT (Amendment) Bill’s objective of strengthening revenue administration but urged broader direct taxation, reduced indirect taxes on essentials, removal of taxes on basic food items, and effective safeguards against malpractice in VAT refunds. He raised concerns about overcrowding and inadequate facilities at Meelad School in Dehiwala, urging the Government and Education Minister to provide a permanent solution rather than transferring pupils to a distant school. He also criticized the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act against a youth arrested over a pro-Palestine sticker, called for his discharge, and urged the Government to honour its commitment to repeal the PTA. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister stated that there is currently no formal training centre for Arabic school teachers or Imams, but the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs conducts annual training programmes for Arabic school teachers. He said a new curriculum for Arabic schools is in the final stages with the Department of Education, and teacher training will be integrated once it is approved. He added that Imams trained through Arabic schools are assigned to schools and mosques, and that he will give special attention to establishing a dedicated training centre, noting that no prior allocations had been made for one. Oral Questions: Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Foreign Employment Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah asked the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs whether the Government is aware of the absence of formal training centres for teachers in registered Arabic schools and for Imams and Muadhdhins serving in mosques. He sought clarification on whether steps will be taken to establish such a centre to provide proper training for these roles, and, if not, the reasons for inaction. Oral Questions: Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Foreign Employment Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister said Principal appointments are now being made through a uniform, interview-based procedure for qualified applicants, including the appointment at Bandaranaike College, to correct irregular acting appointments made under previous governments. On Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, she said an expert committee has been appointed to examine complaints, particularly regarding the expansion of faculties and programmes without adequate staffing or infrastructure and concerns about programmes outside the institution’s core mandate. The committee is due to report by 2 June, after which decisions will be taken. She also outlined existing Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani degree provision across four universities and said steps are being taken to regularize and reduce delays in internships and appointments for indigenous medical graduates. Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Amila Prasad asked the Prime Minister about student protests at the Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine over alleged inadequate facilities, requesting clarification on the identified problems, reported comments that the university is unsuccessful, possible use of nearby premises for non-Indigenous Medicine faculties, and the findings of an appointed expert committee. He also raised unrest over the appointment of a Principal to Bandaranaike College, Gampaha, and urged urgent attention to prevent harm to the school’s reputation. Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Ministry of Education currently has no policy to regulate tuition. She clarified this in response to a supplementary question. Oral Question: Private Tuition Regulation and Child Safety Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna asked the Prime Minister for clarification on whether the Government is considering regulation of tuition classes and tuition teachers. She noted that a previous answer to Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake had not addressed how such regulation would be handled. Oral Question: Private Tuition Regulation and Child Safety Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake JJB AI summary Dharmapriya Dissanayake raised a supplementary question to the Prime Minister about private tuition classes being held on Sunday mornings, when Buddhist temples and other religious institutions conduct religious education. He asked whether the Government has taken any decision to regulate such classes, noting their impact on Daham Pasal and other religious schools, including for younger children beyond O/L and A/L students. Oral Question: Private Tuition Regulation and Child Safety Read →