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- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary In response to a question on legal education, the Prime Minister stated that four State universities currently award the LLB degree: Colombo, Peradeniya, Jaffna, and the Open University of Sri Lanka. She provided year-wise graduate numbers for 2020 to 2023 and said a proposal to establish a Legal Studies Department/Unit at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura is under UGC and Quality Assurance Council review. Oral Question: Bachelor of Laws Degree Awards (Q.1/2024) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to provide details on State universities awarding Bachelor of Laws degrees, including their names and annual graduate numbers from 2020 to date. He also sought information on measures taken to establish law faculties in additional universities to promote legal education, and requested reasons if such information could not be provided. Oral Question: Bachelor of Laws Degree Awards (Q.1/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary Hon. T.K. Jayasundara asked under which category grants of up to Rs. 1 million from the President’s Fund had been provided to certain MPs, as shown in a list tabled by the Chief Government Whip. He further questioned whether the same mechanism would be used to open higher education opportunities. Oral Question: President's Fund Distribution (Q.288/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister, responding to Hon. T.K. Jayasundara, outlined the sectors supported by the President’s Fund under Act No. 7 of 1978, including poverty alleviation, education, religion, national service grants, and public welfare, with assistance such as medical aid, scholarships, and self-employment support. She provided annual beneficiary and expenditure figures for 2015–2024, noting the Fund’s main income sources are dividends and interest from the Development Lotteries Board. She stated that the Government plans to simplify access by enabling applications and payments through all 341 Divisional Secretariats, supported by officer training and a new online IT system for verification and approval. Oral Question: President's Fund Distribution (Q.288/2024) Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Due to litigation concerning issues with the Scholarship Examination, the court ordered a suspension of marking, delaying the release of results. The case concluded about two weeks earlier, allowing marking to resume, and results are expected to be released soon. Oral Question: Educational Reforms and Student Welfare Programmes Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga asked the Prime Minister, who holds the Education portfolio, when the results of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination would be released. She noted that the examination had faced difficulties and that concerns had been raised on behalf of affected students. Oral Question: Educational Reforms and Student Welfare Programmes Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary A student welfare programme includes distributing shoes, with beneficiaries selected using school size as the current criterion. Shoes are to be provided to all students in schools with fewer than 250 students, covering an estimated 700,000 children this year. Oral Question: Educational Reforms and Student Welfare Programmes Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara thanked the Prime Minister for prior answers and asked for clarification on the Government’s school shoe distribution programme. He specifically requested whether there is a defined mechanism to ensure rural poor schools, estate schools, and children in areas such as Haputale in Badulla District are covered. Oral Question: Educational Reforms and Student Welfare Programmes Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister outlined planned education reforms to be implemented by 2026, incorporating feasible elements of previous proposals while revising curricula, subject clusters, and assessment methods to make learning less exam-centric. She stated that Aesthetics, IT, and Accounting will remain in the curriculum with updated content, and highlighted priorities including teacher training, school infrastructure, reduction of disparities, and school-based grants for national and provincial schools. She also said higher education expansion in 2025 will focus on addressing university infrastructure, staffing, programme quality, student welfare, and increased opportunities in technology and vocational education. Oral Question: Educational Reforms and Student Welfare Programmes Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education whether the previous Government’s proposed education reforms would be implemented and whether subjects such as Aesthetics, Information Technology and Accounting would be removed. He sought clarification on planned changes to the national education system, how reforms would reduce pressure on students, and what measures would ensure equitable school resources, reduce competition, and expand university opportunities. Oral Question: Educational Reforms and Student Welfare Programmes Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the issue involving principals had been raised several times and that inquiries were already underway. He added that alleged politicization of schools should be examined more broadly, including remarks made by the Leader of the Opposition to Grade 1 students. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi questioned the lack of programme details in the Prime Minister’s statement on the Clean Sri Lanka programme and asked how it would address political activity by school principals and teachers. He cited allegations involving nine principals in Hambantota during the Presidential Election and a specific case at Ambalangoda Theraputta National School, requesting an inquiry, legal action if warranted, and a report to Parliament. He proposed implementing Clean Sri Lanka through the 339 Divisional Secretariat divisions and 14,022 Grama Niladhari divisions using local state officers for structured delivery. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary The member supported the Clean Sri Lanka initiative but raised objections to a proposed liquor outlet in Periya Neelavanai, citing a protest by more than 500 residents at the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat. He said the outlet had previously been closed after public opposition and that moves by 660816 Beverages Company Limited to reopen it would harm schoolchildren and daily wage earners. He urged the Government to uphold its pledge to cancel new liquor licences and take legal steps to prevent the shop from opening. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB AI summary Recruitment irregularities over a period are being reviewed, with an assurance that action will be taken without prejudicing any group. The Minister explained that the contested 100-mark threshold should be assessed according to available vacancies, similar to annually varying university admission cut-off marks, and stated that steps would be taken to prevent injustice. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera asked the Minister what steps would be taken to resume or address stalled admissions following the settlement of the relevant case. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa provided answers regarding petitioners connected to the Ayurveda Shastri course, stating that the first petitioner had not submitted an application to the Department of Ayurveda. He detailed the examination status of the other petitioners, noting who had passed, failed, completed the course, or not appeared for examinations. He clarified that the Department of Ayurveda conducts only the relevant examinations and does not conduct the Ayurveda Shastri teaching programme. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media whether the Ministry is aware of the settlement in Supreme Court fundamental rights case SC FR 55/2019 concerning admission to the Ayurveda Shastri course. He sought confirmation that the first petitioner was admitted in 2019, that the other petitioners had completed their examinations, and whether the Department of Ayurveda has taken steps to commence the Ayurveda Shastri course, requesting reasons if not. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya presented foreign exchange and import/export control instruments issued under the Foreign Exchange Act and Imports and Exports (Control) Act, and moved that they be referred to the Committee on Public Finance. She also presented a report responding to matters raised by the Committee on Public Accounts regarding the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and its institutions, moving its referral to that Committee. In addition, she tabled multiple Orders under the Universities Act relating to degree-awarding approvals for specified private and professional higher education institutions, which were ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Presented Read →
- 10 January 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised an urgent concern during a sitting reserved for Votes of Condolence, noting the absence of Oral Questions. He asked the Prime Minister to address the alleged injustice faced by the 2023 G.C.E. Advanced Level cohort due to the non-publication of the university admissions gazette and reported refusal by some universities to recognize certain degree certificates. Procedural Matters: Oral Questions Postponement and Sitting Hours Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani attributed current rice and commodity issues to long-term economic mismanagement by previous governments, citing high food inflation, malnutrition, school dropouts, and the hardship faced by children, pregnant mothers, and families during the recent crisis. She said the government had taken measures within its first 100 days, including tax reductions on local dairy products, lower import duty on big onions, short-term imports of essential goods, and a Rs. 6,000 education grant for children in schools with fewer than 300 students. She also referred to past attacks on journalists in responding to Opposition comments on media freedom, and stated that the government’s priority under the Clean Sri Lanka programme is poverty reduction and rebuilding living standards. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →