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 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe argued that past misuse of public funds enriched political elites and connected business interests while leaving ordinary citizens indebted and underserved. He supported the Budget’s allocations for health and education, citing Rs. 604 billion for health, Rs. 185 billion for medicines and supplies, recruitment of about 10,000 health personnel, Rs. 619 billion for education, school restructuring funds, increased Mahapola stipends, and graduate recruitment to public sector vacancies. He acknowledged fiscal limits in a bankrupt country but said salary and allowance increases for health workers had been provided, with scope for future improvements, and called for action on crime and narcotics-linked underworld allegations while inviting cooperation in rebuilding the country. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake supported the Government’s first Budget, arguing that it prioritizes the public interest and future generations, particularly through what he described as a historic Rs. 619 billion allocation for education. He highlighted specific provisions to develop the Jaffna Public Library and other regional libraries, linking them to the need to repair past damage to education and reconciliation after the 1981 burning of the Jaffna Library and the subsequent conflict. He criticized past administrations over alleged misuse of youth and public funds, and endorsed the proposed “Sri Lankan Day” allocation of Rs. 300 million as a measure to promote national unity, tourism, and economic recovery. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne defended the Government’s first Budget, saying it should be assessed over the full five-year mandate and four remaining budgets, and argued that it does not burden the general public. He listed increased allocations and benefits for education, health, agriculture, welfare, irrigation, vocational training, fertilizer subsidies, public sector salaries, reduced fuel and electricity prices, and the proposed development bank to support rural livelihoods. He contrasted the Budget with previous administrations’ budgets, stating that ministerial and presidential privileges, official residences, vehicle use, and large vote-head allocations have been curtailed as part of a promised change in political culture. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara supported the 2025 Budget as a response to Sri Lanka’s economic collapse and argued that it provides a path to recovery while protecting democracy and prioritizing ordinary citizens. Focusing on education, he said the Budget reflects the State’s duty to guarantee every child’s right to education and addresses disparities between under-resourced rural schools and well-equipped popular schools. He highlighted allocations including over Rs. 619 billion for education, increased Mahapola and bursary payments, Rs. 135 billion for university quality and research, and funding for sports schools and libraries, while rejecting Opposition criticism and presenting the measures as genuine “system change.” Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga supported the Government’s maiden Budget, presenting it as an initial programme to address economic hardship while reducing political privileges and expanding public benefits. She highlighted salary and wage increases, support for vulnerable groups, school nutrition, preschool meals, sanitary pads, footwear, scholarships, gold-pawning relief, and allocations for entrepreneurship, SMEs, industrial zones, investment promotion, and digitization. She argued that anti-corruption measures and renewed international confidence would attract investment, and called on the Opposition to support the Budget rather than criticize it. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu said the Budget’s allocations for rural economic development, education, health and agriculture should be implemented through public participation and directed to Batticaloa District priorities. He outlined proposals on hospital and preschool facilities, libraries, human-elephant conflict mitigation through 83 km of electric fencing, coconut development, tank rehabilitation, grain cultivation, aquaculture, social protection, rural transport, and mangrove conservation. He also called for improved feasibility studies, supervision, quality control and accountability in road and bridge projects, particularly after recent flood damage, and said development should be routed through District and Divisional Development Committees with public input. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister defended the 2025 Budget as focused on ordinary people, particularly groups without strong trade union representation, citing increased allocations for Triposha, nutrition packs for pregnant mothers, preschool meals, textbooks, uniforms, scholarships, student transport, and Aswesuma welfare benefits. He argued that the Budget links welfare recipients to productive sectors such as agriculture, small industries and livestock, while also supporting export crops and entrepreneurs. He highlighted major allocations for health services outside Colombo, postgraduate medical training, school and university development, and continuation of expressway infrastructure projects, presenting these as part of building a productive, knowledge-based economy. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued that the Budget is not neoliberal, despite being framed within IMF-related constraints and the fiscal limits of the State Finance Management Act of 2024. She said the Budget reasserts the state’s role through major allocations for social protection, education, health, and public investment, including Rs. 749 billion for social protection and about Rs. 1.9 trillion combined for education, health and welfare. She also cited proposed amendments to the Electricity Act to halt privatization and changes to strengthen the Paddy Marketing Board’s role in the paddy market as evidence of increased state intervention. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera AI summary Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera supported the Budget, arguing that it provides relief and addresses long-neglected areas such as workers’ wages, university student allowances, education, health, and support for orphaned and institutionalised children. He highlighted allocations including increased Mahapola payments, over Rs. 615 billion for education, a monthly grant for children in care, plantation-sector development, road development, and restoration of the Jaffna Public Library. He criticised the Opposition for claiming the Budget reflected their own plans while also objecting to it, and accused former ministers of failing to address displacement and housing needs in areas such as Aranayake and Kegalle. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath supported the Government’s Budget, framing it as the start of a broader social transformation following the recent political change and as a response to inherited political, economic and social distress. He stated that major allocations to health and education aim to improve living standards, and highlighted Rs. 7,583 million for the welfare of the Malaiyaha Tamil community, including estate-sector improvements to roads, water and sanitation in areas such as Kalutara. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed welcomed the 2025 Budget allocations for the North and East, particularly in education, health, roads, agriculture, housing and social welfare, and called for timely implementation through a proper framework. He urged development of under-resourced and stalled school projects, including upgrading Al Aqsa Maha Vidyalaya in Vavuniya to a National School, and requested teacher/principal quarters and support for rural education. He also raised unresolved post-war housing problems, arguing that the Rs. 500,000 grant is insufficient, and called for industrial estates to address youth unemployment in northern districts. He further requested stronger support for marine and freshwater fisheries, including boats and nets, while noting concerns over Tamil Nadu fishermen affecting local livelihoods. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel described the NPP’s inaugural Budget as a “citizens’ Budget” intended to distribute benefits across all regions and communities, with emphasis on youth, children, women, and historically neglected areas such as the plantation sector. She highlighted allocations for maternal and child nutrition, women’s and children’s protection, care homes, child-friendly justice transport, school meals, preschool teachers, scholarships, vocational trainees, sports school nutrition, and drug rehabilitation programmes. She said the Budget also advances commitments to strengthen plantation-area hospitals and improve the living standards of the plantation Tamil community, including allocations for housing, infrastructure, land and house titles, vocational training, and smart classrooms. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala argued that the Budget marks a major shift from the JVP’s past policy positions and largely continues the former Government’s IMF-aligned economic path. He questioned how the Rs. 2,200 billion deficit and non-tax revenue targets would be financed, warning that many proposals may remain unimplemented as in previous years. He said public sector salary and welfare increases are inadequate given rising living costs, and welcomed higher education expansion involving the private sector while criticizing earlier opposition to domestic private education options. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara raised a supplementary question on the condition of the Bandarawela ground, stating that drainage lines within the boundary and poor water management make it unsafe and unsuitable for cricket or athletics. He noted that major matches have been moved to Suriyawewa and linked the issue to broader unplanned development in Bandarawela, including the loss of an alternative route after market and commercial centre developments. He asked whether the Government has a plan to provide a developed alternative sports ground for Bandarawela, suggesting sites such as Kabilla sports ground, Bandarawela Central College ground, or the Teachers’ College ground. Oral Questions: Holuwagoda Development Project and Sports Facilities Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman thanked the Deputy Minister for agreeing to temporarily provide Nikape Vidyalaya’s building to accommodate Grades 1–5 and ensure continuity of education. The sitting then concluded, with Parliament adjourned until 9.30 a.m. on 19 February 2025 pursuant to the Resolution of 6 February 2025. Adjournment Debate: Additional Building for Meelad Vidyalaya, Dehiwala Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna said Meelad Muslim Vidyalaya’s enrolment had risen sharply, creating a shortage of classrooms and no assembly hall, with 26 additional rooms needed. He explained that the temporary use of Sumantha Vidyalaya, approved by provincial authorities and renovated with about Rs. 2.5–3 million, had led to community tensions, prompting officials to examine alternative locations. He stated that the Dehiwala Coordinating Committee had decided to use Nikape Vidyalaya for immediate accommodation, and said the Ministry would implement the move peacefully while upholding equal educational opportunity regardless of ethnicity or religion. Adjournment Debate: Additional Building for Meelad Vidyalaya, Dehiwala Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. S. M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S. M. Marikkar supported Hon. Mujibur Rahman’s motion, arguing that Muslim children in the Dehiwala–Ratmalana–Moratuwa area must have access to education in their preferred language and to religious education under the national syllabus. He urged the Government to address the long-standing lack of facilities at Meelad without allowing the issue to fuel ethnic tensions, and proposed using unused government buildings or land for immediate relief. He also supported making S. D. S. Jayasinghe Vidyalaya a National School and suggested it become tri-lingual to promote integration among Sinhala and Tamil children. Adjournment Debate: Additional Building for Meelad Vidyalaya, Dehiwala Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha supported the motion on Meelad Muslim Vidyalaya, noting severe space shortages at the high-demand bilingual school and delays in making the closed Sumantha Vidyalaya building available despite approval in 2024. She said Grade 1 pupils had been left without classrooms after objections raised on ethnic grounds and emphasized the government’s policy direction toward tri-lingual schooling and equal access to education. She outlined interim and long-term measures, including temporary accommodation at Nikape Vidyalaya and consideration of upgrading S.D.S. Jayasinghe Vidyalaya as a tri-lingual national school, and stated that the issue would be resolved within days. Adjournment Debate: Additional Building for Meelad Vidyalaya, Dehiwala Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman raised an adjournment matter on the lack of space at Meelad Vidyalaya, a Tamil-medium bilingual school in the Dehiwala–Piliyandala Zone with about 574 students. He said an unused building allocated in October 2024 and renovated with about Rs. 3 million could not be used for Grades 1–5 due to protests, leaving children studying outdoors. He urged the Minister of Education to intervene urgently and provide a suitable unused government or low-attendance school building in the area for the school’s use. Adjournment Debate: Additional Building for Meelad Vidyalaya, Dehiwala Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs JJB AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara defended the 2025 Budget as a “Citizens’ Budget” and a first step in system change, arguing that it redirects state resources from political privileges to public benefit and reflects the mandate of the NPP Government. He highlighted allocations for youth and sports, vocational education, digital initiatives, public sector recruitment, youth entrepreneurship, agriculture, and sports infrastructure, including refurbishment of Sugathadasa Stadium. He said 30,000 public sector recruitments would be conducted through planned examinations and interviews, with graduates prioritized, and stated that the Government would implement the Budget after its passage. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →