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 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya presented the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. She moved that the report be referred to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam requested Budget allocations and ministerial action to improve transport safety and connectivity in Vavuniya District, including traffic signals at key junctions and near Vavuniya Tamil Maha Vidyalaya. He called for bridges and a flyover in flood-affected rural areas, highlighted shortages of operational SLTB buses and staff vacancies, and asked that rural bus services be strengthened for farmers and schoolchildren. He also urged the introduction of an integrated SLTB-private bus timetable in the Northern Province and action to ensure buses on the Vavuniya-Mankulam section of the A9 carry school students. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the National Transport Commission’s “Sisuseriya” school bus service, currently operating 1,500 buses, is expected to expand to 2,000 buses this year, and requested that schools, particularly in difficult areas, be informed of its availability through the Ministry of Education. He also stated that amendments enabling NTC licence ownership transfers have been submitted to Cabinet, with the Gazette being prepared, and that transfers are expected to be possible within the next few months after Parliament passes the Bill. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. Ashoka Gunasena JJB AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena rejected Opposition claims that the Budget is not people-centred, arguing that allocations related to SriLankan Airlines concern the protection of a public asset. He said proposals such as school-based autism screening are already reflected in the Budget, and cited this as evidence that it addresses public needs while also acknowledging other constructive suggestions raised in the debate. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna welcomed some Budget proposals in health, including estate hospital revival, autism support and thalassemia programmes, but urged that estate hospitals be brought under Government oversight and that autism screening be coordinated with the Education Ministry. She criticized the allocation of Rs. 20,000 million for SriLankan Airlines debt while health allocations and emergency unit improvements remained limited, and called for funds to be shifted toward regional hospitals, primary care, health and education. She raised concerns over reductions to overtime and holiday pay formulas for nurses and public health staff, medicine shortages including 333 out-of-stock items at the Medical Supplies Division, stalled procurement, and the need to restore stock-tracking systems, price controls and regulation of private hospital fees. She also said several initiatives presented as new, such as the family doctor model and health checks, originated under earlier programmes, and highlighted acute specialist shortages in hospitals. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said the Government had increased basic salaries across health sector categories, including raising preliminary grade doctors’ basic salary from Rs. 54,290 to Rs. 94,000, and that discussions with unions had helped avert planned strikes while maintaining services with revised extra duty, overtime and public holiday rates. He outlined allocations and modernization plans for the Department of Posts, including Rs. 23.9 billion in funding, new and upgraded post offices, vehicle fleet renewal, and development of selected post offices and the Postal Museum as tourist attractions. He also detailed Mass Media Ministry initiatives, including Rs. 5.52 billion in allocations, Presidential Media Awards, a proposed chartered institute for journalists, a National Media Policy by June, journalist scholarships, Government Press modernization, expedited TV digitalization, and reforms to depoliticize State media. He added that the Sri Lanka Foundation would be redirected from venue-related activities to its original policy support role. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa outlined the Government’s health policy framework under “A Sustainable Life – A Healthy Nation,” linking it to Universal Health Coverage and SDG 3, and stated that the 2025 Budget provides Rs. 604 billion for the overall health sector, including provincial services. He identified five priorities: strengthening primary healthcare, upgrading hospitals, ensuring uninterrupted quality medicines, addressing health workforce issues, and developing health tourism. He emphasized the burden of non-communicable diseases and population ageing, and announced plans to upgrade 1,031 primary facilities, allocate Rs. 12.1 billion for primary healthcare development, pursue a new US$100 million World Bank project for 1,000 primary care centres, and seek donor land for community-level facilities. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana urged the Government to reconsider the proposed salary structure for doctors and supplementary medical professionals before the Appropriation Bill is passed, noting possible industrial action and concerns about disadvantages in the new structure. He also referred to graduate protests outside Parliament and criticized past trade union leaders now in government for their role in mobilizing those groups. He raised a grievance about being discouraged from attending events at C.W.W. Kannangara Central College, contrasting this with other politicians’ participation in school functions, and said he would attend the forthcoming sports meet. He further questioned tax enforcement, alleging that several businesspeople pay no income tax and calling on officials to act to recover significant revenue. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister, in her capacity as Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, presented the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts of the University of Kelaniya. She moved that the report be referred to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Shanta Pathma Kumara Subasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Shanta Pathma Kumara Subasingha defended the Government against allegations of political victimization, citing past treatment of officials under previous administrations, and argued that current recruitment of public servants and teachers would be conducted transparently through competitive examinations. He highlighted Budget allocations for 30,000 public sector recruitments, including teachers, and referred to teacher vacancies in Sabaragamuwa and planned recruitment of NIE diploma holders and education graduates. He also outlined allocations under the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, including school and preschool nutrition programmes, preschool teacher allowances, completion of “Nearest School is the Best School,” and public sector salary increases, while stating that economic indicators were improving under the Government. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary In a tabled answer, the Minister stated that 321 Arabic schools are registered and that a common curriculum issued in 2013 by the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs applies to them, with schools required to report any additional curricula. He said the curriculum is being revised following a 2020 Committee on Public Accounts recommendation, an expert committee appointed in 2022 has prepared a revised syllabus, and it has been sent to the Ministry of Education for review and approval before implementation. Oral Question 4: Arabic schools curriculum (Q.481/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah) SJB AI summary A question was raised on behalf of Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah regarding registered Arabic schools and the introduction of a common curriculum. It sought clarification from the relevant authorities on policy measures or plans to standardize education in these institutions. Oral Question 4: Arabic schools curriculum (Q.481/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage supported Chandima Hettiaratchi’s Motion on strengthening the National Youth Services Council, stating that the Council and the National Youth Corps had not fulfilled their objectives due to past politicization and misuse of funds. He said the Government had identified youth isolation and wider problems caused by economic, educational, cultural, and health-related failures, and had begun programmes to network youth through centres at Grama Niladhari Division level. He outlined plans to promote entrepreneurship, sports, English and IT skills, and cultural development, and pledged to implement the Ministry’s policies as a comprehensive youth uplift programme. Adjournment Motion: Reorganization of National Youth Services Council Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake seconded the Adjournment Motion on youth institutions, arguing that bodies such as the National Youth Services Council and National Youth Corps have only partly achieved their objectives in youth empowerment, leadership development and vocational training. He said Sri Lankan youth have fallen behind global peers and called for their creativity and skills to be directed into national development rather than overseas labour migration. He referred to alleged past misuse of youth-related funds highlighted in COP reports and stated that the Budget and the NPP policy platform provide opportunities to build a fulfilled, creative youth cohort, while urging Parliament to combat corruption and provide leadership for this effort. Adjournment Motion: Reorganization of National Youth Services Council Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Chandima Hettiaratchi moved an Adjournment Motion calling for the reorganization of the National Youth Services Council, its branches, and related bodies such as the National Youth Corps to better deliver youth empowerment, leadership development, vocational training, and social service programmes under the Government’s “A Fulfilled Youth” policy. He alleged that public funds of the Council, including Rs. 100 million transferred before the Presidential Election, had been misused for election campaigning, and said such institutions must be restored to serve youth and the public. He cited Budget allocations of about Rs. 4,000 million for youth institutions and Rs. 38.6 billion for SMEs and youth entrepreneurs, arguing that these should support youth participation in economic, social, technological, and leadership development. Adjournment Motion: Reorganization of National Youth Services Council Read →
- 1 March 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 her earlier answer regarding the Rajarata University Vice Chancellor selection was based on official records and was not false. She outlined that both the previous and current UGC identified discrepancies and complaints in the evaluation process, leading the UGC to decline recommending any candidate and the President’s Secretary to request that the process be restarted under Section 34(1)(a) of the Universities Act. She tabled relevant correspondence and minutes, and said the Government would provide Parliament with information based on procedure and facts. Privilege Matter: Vice-Chancellor Appointment - Rajarata University Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a privilege matter alleging that the Prime Minister gave incorrect information in response to his supplementary question on the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor of Rajarata University. He tabled a UGC letter dated 2025.01.06 which, he said, shows that the instruction to reinitiate the selection process came from the President’s Secretary through the Ministry, not because the UGC had rejected the names recommended by the University Council. He requested that any contrary UGC letter be tabled and asked that the matter be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges. Privilege Matter: Vice-Chancellor Appointment - Rajarata University Read →
- 28 February 2025 Hon. Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya presented district-wise data on teacher vacancies as at 31 January 2025, stating that provincial schools had 2,652 vacancies by medium and national schools had 40,621 vacancies. She also explained the status of recruitment to the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service for Dhamma Acharyas under Gazette Notification No. 2087 of 2018, noting that the process was delayed by COVID-19 and Treasury restrictions on recruitment. She stated that appointments for religious subjects had continued through National Diploma in Teaching graduates from 2019 to 2023, and that the Ministry had sought instructions from the Public Service Commission on how to proceed with the 2019 competitive examination results given the limited remaining vacancies. Ministerial Statement - School Teacher Recruitment and Dhamma School Allowances Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on teacher recruitment, stating that recruitment is governed by the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service Minute in Gazette Extraordinary No. 1885/38 of 23 October 2014. She said the minimum qualification for recruitment to Grade III is passing at least three G.C.E. Advanced Level subjects at one sitting, excluding the General Test. She also reported 43,273 teacher vacancies, comprising 2,652 in National Schools and 40,621 in Provincial Schools, with district details provided in annexes. Ministerial Statement - School Teacher Recruitment and Dhamma School Allowances Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary Four National Youth Corps training centres operate in the Trincomalee District, located in Trincomalee, Gomarankadawala, Seruwila and Kuchchaveli Divisional Secretariat Divisions. The Minister stated that the former centre at Tri/Kin/Al Raufala Vidyalaya was closed after the premises, which had inadequate facilities, were handed back to the school at the request of the Eastern Provincial Ministry. He added that it was not relocated and cannot be reopened, as the building has been returned and nearby centres already operate in Trincomalee and Seruwila, making a new centre near Kinniya not cost-effective. Oral Questions 4 & 5 - Port City Project & National Youth Corps Centre (Q.432/2025) Read →