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 April 2026 The Hon. Nihal Galappaththi (on behalf of the Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama) JJB AI summary The Member, on behalf of Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama, asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education for details on current academic staff vacancies in Sri Lankan universities and the steps being taken to fill them. He also requested reasons for the delay in commencing Allied Health Science courses for students enrolled at the University of Ruhuna in 2023 and the expected date of commencement. Oral Questions: Second Round (Q.3, Q.4, Q.5/1563-1655/2025) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran raised concerns over repeated “service requirement” teacher transfers in the Northern Province, noting court and Human Rights Commission interventions, and asked the Government to ensure accountability, equal access to education, and urgent remedies for affected students. On the anti-doping regulations, he welcomed alignment with international standards after Sri Lanka’s WADA non-compliance listing, but questioned whether athletes in all districts, especially the Vanni and Mullaitivu, would receive equal awareness, facilities, coaching, nutrition, sports medicine and monitoring. He requested compulsory island-wide anti-doping education before enforcement, improved sports infrastructure and resources for Mullaitivu, and corrections to typographical and drafting errors in the relevant Gazette, tabling a list of issues. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara criticised the Government’s relief package and economic claims, arguing that higher taxes and living costs have prevented meaningful relief from reaching the public. He questioned the use and distribution of funds promised after the “Ditsa” cyclone, including housing assistance and rent support, and raised doubts about ministers’ personal wealth and fundraising claims. He also criticised delays and inadequacies in agricultural subsidies, rising cultivation costs, rice import policy shifts, and the impact on farmers, while highlighting education and illicit liquor issues in the North Central Province and unmet hardship allowance promises for teachers. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Supported the Orders under the Convention against Doping in Sports, the Government’s approach to Port City benefits, and measures to ease public burdens, while criticizing Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe over past claims that rice imports would cease and questioning continued imports. Raised delays in enrolling students selected for the University of Colombo Faculty of Nursing, and in appointing 46 qualified national school principals whose results are before the Public Service Commission. Urged action on regularizing over 80 unpaid casual workers at the Pulmude Mineral Sands Company instead of new recruitment, and called for implementation of Cabinet-approved MSME relief loans, noting delays by banks and administrative bodies. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Minister stated that committees appointed in 2025 and 2026 reviewed the National Institute of Social Development and recommended its affiliation to the University of Kelaniya. He said the NISD Academic Board and Governing Council approved the proposal on 24 March 2026, preliminary discussions with the university have been held, and an operational plan and compliance report are in place. He added that the Government expects to table the required legal instrument by 31 May 2026, including amendments to the existing Act, and tabled further details as an annex. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, raising a matter under Standing Order 27(2), asked the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment about the future of the National Institute of Social Development, tracing its development from the Ceylon Institute of Social Work to a degree-awarding institution. He noted student protests and long-standing requests for affiliation with a national university, and referred to a technical committee proposal prepared following a 2025 Cabinet decision. He requested clarification on whether the Government would agree to affiliate NISD with a national university, whether such affiliation is possible in future, and what steps have already been taken. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath asked whether the Ministry has taken steps to assist beneficiaries who are digitally and educationally disadvantaged and face difficulties accessing information and dealing with officials. He sought clarification on the measures or solutions being implemented to address these barriers. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary A concern is acknowledged regarding the unfair concentration of teachers in Jaffna and the need for balanced teacher distribution. Members are urged not to challenge or appeal transfer and assignment decisions intended to ensure equity, including postings to more remote areas or islets within Jaffna District. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that teacher transfers are carried out according to established procedures, not arbitrarily. She acknowledged significant teacher shortages in the Northern Province, particularly in Kilinochchi, Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu, and said recruitment exams scheduled for May and the placement of graduate teachers this year would prioritize the most deficient areas. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised concerns about poor educational performance and teacher shortages in Kilinochchi and other northern districts, noting that many teachers seek transfers to Jaffna. He referred to the Governor’s recent transfer of 190 teachers to Kilinochchi under “service exigency,” which was stayed by the Human Rights Commission, and said over 360 teachers had reportedly been transferred from Kilinochchi to Jaffna. He asked the Prime Minister to clarify the situation and address the impact on staffing in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Mannar. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Regular awareness programmes are being carried out to address recurring issues in schools. Based on a report by Prof. Asvini Fernando and Prof. Gamila Samarasinghe, a response protocol for schools has been prepared and issued to the school system through a circular or regulation. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Chamindranee Kiriella urged that communication-related guidelines not be limited to media institutions but also be implemented in schools. She requested that awareness programmes be conducted at school level to address communication issues there. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella asked a supplementary question on whether the Ministry of Education has revised guidelines on communicating information after child abuse, violence, or suicide-related incidents in schools. She highlighted risks such as school dropout, harm to families and other students, and copycat suicide, noting that WHO and UNICEF have issued relevant guidelines. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary A total of 1,026 incidents of abuse and violence were reported, resulting in 425 school dropouts and 6 suicides. The response outlined measures including strengthened school counselling, activation of attendance committees, teacher and principal training on professional ethics, coordination with child protection, social services and police authorities, and awareness programmes for school communities and parents. The Minister also noted the issuance of Circular No. 11/2026, reaffirming the Supreme Court ruling in FR 461/2012 prohibiting corporal punishment and any physical or mental harm to children, and said a common action plan is being developed with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs following an expert review. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education for annual data from 2015 onward on reported abuse and violence in government and private schools. She also sought separate figures on related school dropouts and suicides, details of measures taken in response, and the steps being implemented to prevent abuse and violence within the school system. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister presented the 2024 annual reports of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Limited and the National Lotteries Board, which were referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations. She also presented the 2024 annual reports of five universities, including Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo, Peradeniya, the Buddhist and Pali University, and the Open University, which were referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital. Several statutory documents, including an Essential Public Services proclamation, virement and supplementary allocation reports, and a Universities Act order establishing departments in the Faculty of Arts and Culture of Eastern University, were tabled. Papers: Auditor-General's Report and Ministry Annual Reports Tabling Read →
- 19 March 2026 Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth welcomed education reforms but urged the Minister of Education to establish a separate Pottuvil Zonal Education Office, arguing that current arrangements split nearby Muslim, Tamil and Sinhala schools among three zones and require long travel for services. He said a Pottuvil zone would address a two-decade demand, improve supervision and support integrated education across communities without needing a new building. He also raised local concerns including staffing shortages at Panankadu Hospital, land and hospital development matters, inadequate QR fuel allocations and agricultural inputs for farmers, Forest Department restrictions on fallow lands, unresolved issues affecting Village Officers, and requests for sports and tourism facilities in Navithanveli and Pottuvil. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis Read →
- 19 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said the Government recognizes teacher shortages and other education challenges in the estate community, and will consider special deployment and training measures within the ongoing recruitment of over 23,000 teachers required by a Court determination. She said the current fuel and energy pressures arise from a global crisis linked to the Middle East war and rising commodity prices, not from Government failure, and outlined measures including monitoring fuel supplies, using diplomatic channels, reintroducing the QR fuel system, and daily Cabinet subcommittee meetings. She also stated that a committee chaired by Hon. Upali Pannilage has been appointed to propose social protection measures for informal workers and small businesses likely to be affected. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis Read →
- 19 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan welcomed the rescue of Iranian sailors but focused on shortages of fertilizer, petrol and diesel in Nuwara Eliya, warning that these would disrupt agriculture, transport and the April tourism season. He requested additional fuel supplies for Nuwara Eliya during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period and relief or grace periods for three-wheeler drivers unable to meet vehicle loan repayments due to fuel shortages. He also urged the Prime Minister to reconsider teacher appointment procedures and allocate a separate quota of 3,000 to 4,000 graduate teachers for plantation schools, citing longstanding educational disadvantages in estate areas. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis Read →
- 19 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna outlined two education policy tracks: digitizing about 6,200 secondary schools through fibre or broadband connections by year-end, and reorganizing schools using criteria such as catchment population, transport access, teacher deployment, and infrastructure capacity. He stated that Rs. 500 million supported 31 schools last year, while Rs. 1 billion is allocated this year for 169 schools, with future emphasis on primary schools. He also detailed allocations for Pirivena and special education, national school infrastructure, estate sector schools, and pending “Nearest School – The Best School” projects, arguing that infrastructure funding is being targeted through defined programmes. Oral Question: Schools in Monaragala District: Auditoriums (Q.1860/2026) Read →