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- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the government has decided to provide a Rs. 6,000 grant to every child in schools with fewer than 300 students. He noted that this policy will apply to more than 6,000 schools. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka questioned whether rice was available to the public at Rs. 230 per kilo and criticized the Government’s handling of food availability within its first 100 days. He also raised concerns about VAT on school supplies and books, arguing that parents and public servants with children were burdened, and criticized welfare and insurance schemes linked to the Rs. 6,000 Aswesuma payment as creating divisions based on income. He referenced earlier policies such as free textbooks under J.R. Jayewardene and free uniforms under Ranasinghe Premadasa as examples of universal support. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella seconded the Adjournment Motion and compared the Government’s first 100 days with earlier “100-day” programmes, citing price reductions under the 2015 Yahapalana Government. She argued that the current administration’s promises to reduce or abolish VAT on essentials such as food, medicine and school supplies have not been implemented, noting that VAT remains at 18 per cent and Special Commodity Levies continue on several goods. She also raised concerns about shortages of essential medicines in state hospitals and the cost burden on patients, and condemned social media defamation targeting two women Members of Parliament. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera AI summary Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera defended the Government’s position on the Peradeniya University Vice-Chancellor incident, stating that the National People’s Power Government would protect student movement rights and freedom of expression. He rejected opposition criticism over rice and coconut prices, arguing that past governments and former Kegalle representatives had left large areas of paddy, estate, coconut, and cinnamon land abandoned. He said the Government’s 2025 plan for Kegalle includes restoring fallow lands, developing estates, improving urban facilities such as the Mawanella bus stand, and addressing living conditions and education needs of estate communities, including Tamil-speaking residents. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan urged authorities to ensure that Aptitude Tests are designed in a way that does not disadvantage visually impaired candidates, particularly by avoiding reliance on images and maps. He also raised concern over an incident in Sittandy where two children were critically injured by a temple elephant, calling for appropriate action and caution against treating such elephants as harmless pets. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Academic freedom should be protected through decisions made primarily within universities, through bodies such as Councils, Senates, Faculty Boards and student unions. The Government’s role was described as setting policy to uphold academic freedom, intervening only when it is obstructed, and avoiding undue interference in university affairs. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra asked what remedies or measures are available to students and student bodies when university administrations obstruct discussions. She also requested the relevant Minister’s position on such administrative interference with student discussions. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Prime Minister stated that the Government’s policy is to ensure universities operate independently with strong academic freedom. She denied allegations that her Office or the Ministry intervened in university activities, saying the report was false, and noted that she had told Vice-Chancellors, including Peradeniya’s, that debates and events within universities are legitimate and healthy. She also said Vice-Chancellors have a responsibility to uphold academic freedom. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary From 2026, the Department of Examinations is expected to restore examination schedules to normal, following disruptions to school calendars from 2020 to 2024 caused by COVID-19 and related crises. For the 2025 school year, 181 school days have been allocated to complete syllabi by December, enabling a return to the normal calendar thereafter, with further details tabled in the Library. Plans for education reform include ensuring 13 years of uninterrupted education, strengthening teacher and principal recruitment and training, upgrading infrastructure, reforming curricula and institutions from 2025 with phased implementation from 2026, and expanding higher education opportunities in technology, science and vocational fields. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra asked the Prime Minister whether national examinations, disrupted by COVID-19 and the economic crisis, are now being held according to scheduled timetables. She also sought details on measures taken by the Ministry to prevent future interruptions to education and requested an update on the status of the new education reform process. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Asked how the Government plans to build a “new society” and ethical order beyond politics, including in education, media and other key sectors. He specifically questioned how the authorities would address perceived partisanship among some media institutions while establishing this broader ethical framework. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary B. Ariyawansha argued that welfare and relief programmes must be better targeted to poor households, citing cases in Godakawela where wage labourers were excluded from Aswasuma while wealthier households received benefits. He proposed that future Aswasuma selection be conducted transparently at GN division level by a committee of six state officers ranking households for graded payments of Rs. 15,000, Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 5,000. He also requested an increase in the Rs. 110 per-child school meal allocation, action on high retail kekulu rice prices and shortages in Sabaragamuwa and the South, and lawful, traditional procedures for appointing the Basnayake Nilame of the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya following protests. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about unresolved education-sector issues, including unpaid salary arrears for teachers, stating that two-thirds of the dues remain unpaid. He said further discussions were needed with the relevant Minister on matters affecting non-academic staff, teachers, principals, advisors, educationists, and administrators, and rejected the suggestion that members had merely gone for lunch. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government intends to prioritize the completion of school buildings that are 80 to 90 per cent finished. She said all such buildings are being reviewed and considered for attention, in response to a question raised in Parliament. Oral Question: Bandaragama Central Secondary School Development (Continuation of earlier question) Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Minister said the school’s development began under the “Nearest School is the Best School” project during 2016-2020 and that the Government is reviewing selected schools, many of which have incomplete construction. She stated that the plan is to ensure every child has access to a primary school within 3 kilometres, with clusters feeding into fully equipped secondary schools, while prioritizing schools where work has already begun. She undertook to examine the specific school, including any existing master plan, and said it would be considered if viable. Oral Question: Bandaragama Central Secondary School Development (Continuation of earlier question) Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera requested priority funding to complete the remaining work under the “Nearest School is the Best School” project at K/Ramukkana Vidyaloka Primary School in Bandaragama, noting the shortage of advanced secondary schools in the area. He said the primary section and part of the secondary building have been completed under an existing master plan, while the halted secondary section requires about Rs. 300 million, and asked whether the Government would complete it in the coming year as a model fully fledged school. Oral Question: Bandaragama Central Secondary School Development (Continuation of earlier question) Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that, in response to concerns raised by a Member, the management board of the relevant society would be urgently summoned to review its decisions and current status. He assured Parliament that the Government would intervene to ensure depositors are not disadvantaged and would report back on the matter. Oral Question: Maharagama Multi-purpose Co-operative Societies (Q.233/2024) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha argued that the proposed education allowance is a targeted, fiscally constrained measure to support schoolchildren facing shortages of food, clothing and learning materials, while noting that universal provision for about four million students would cost around Rs. 23 billion. He said eligibility issues under Aswesuma stemmed from technical data-collection problems and bank account gaps, and called for reviewing the 22 selection criteria and correcting unpaid cases. He defended the Government’s policy direction and debt restructuring approach as pragmatic given inherited debt and near-completed agreements, emphasizing stabilization of markets and expected improvement in the foreign debt rating. He also rejected claims that the Government had abandoned its policy commitments or entered disadvantageous agreements during the Indian visit. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Prof. Anil Jayantha stated that education is of significant importance to Sri Lanka and referred to the Government’s approach to the sector. The remarks were brief and did not include specific proposals, questions, or legislative references. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha defended the supplementary estimate allocation for allowances to help children purchase school stationery and equipment, noting that members did not oppose the objective but raised concerns about the payment method. He argued that, in the current context, the measure would support school attendance and motivation while recognizing broader social factors affecting education. He framed the allowance as an investment in human resource development and productivity, and said public expenditure on education should be gradually increased as part of the country’s economic development strategy. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →