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- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister tabled an answer on staffing and resource shortages at Kili/Mulankavil MV, stating that while teacher shortages have affected activities, recent O/L, A/L and SEQI data do not show a clear academic setback. He said the school has 22 academic vacancies and that proposals for non-academic cadres have been submitted following its conversion to a National School, with appointments to follow approval. He also stated that furniture will be provided in 2026, a building is expected to be completed that year, and teacher vacancies may be filled through ongoing 2026 recruitment and the 2027 intake of NIE diploma-holders. Oral Question: Kili/Mulankavil Maha Vidyalaya (Q.10/1831/2026) - Stand Down Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan) SJB AI summary A question was raised to the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education regarding Kili/Mulankavil Maha Vidyalaya, a National School in Poonakari, Kilinochchi District. It asked whether the Government acknowledges shortages of teachers, non-academic staff, furniture and other resources affecting academic activities, and sought details on current staffing levels, reasons for 17 unfilled junior staff vacancies, and timelines for addressing building, furniture and staffing needs. Oral Question: Kili/Mulankavil Maha Vidyalaya (Q.10/1831/2026) - Stand Down Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage — Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports AI summary The Minister replied to Question 1476/2025 on youth and sports projects in Trincomalee District, listing completed and ongoing programmes including youth festivals, drama workshops, leadership camps, job-orientation courses, Youth Day activities, and overseas exposure opportunities. He stated that sports allocations include national funding with Rs. 200 million for the McHeyzer Stadium indoor complex, Rs. 50 million for outdoor works, and planned funding for school sports grounds, noting that the 400-metre track has been completed and remaining works are to be finished this year. He also said 2026 plans include expanded sports competitions in Trincomalee and other Northern and Eastern districts, with further details tabled in annexes. Oral Question: Projects in Trincomalee District (Q.1476/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary The Minister stated that a circular on mid-stream admissions is being issued to allow entry for students with special talents. He confirmed that sports schools will continue, with capacity assessments conducted jointly with the Ministry of Sports to ensure selected schools have nutrition programmes, coaches, and development capability, and said selections will follow evidence-based procedures. Oral Question: Special Sports Schools Development (Q.1468/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Asked for clarification on the circular governing mid-stream admissions for talented students, specifically whether it contains a mechanism for admissions based on sports talent. He also sought to know whether the Government’s new education reforms would retain the existing sports school concept or replace it with another approach. Oral Question: Special Sports Schools Development (Q.1468/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary The Minister said the Ministry of Sports is reassessing sports schools to decide which should continue and how talented students can be placed in suitable institutions, noting the need for nutrition, qualified coaches, and timetable adjustments. He stated that listed schools will proceed under the current year’s allocation, while future plans include establishing comprehensive sports schools in each province, including facilities for swimming and other sports. He also referred to education reforms to strengthen school coaching and resources, and said circular provisions allow mid-stream admissions for students with national-level potential. Oral Question: Special Sports Schools Development (Q.1468/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda raised concerns that school sports opportunities are increasingly concentrated in well-equipped urban schools while rural schools, including two designated sports schools in Galle District, lack facilities and coaches across many disciplines. He asked whether the Government would create or restore a pathway through mid-stream admissions for talented rural students to enter better-resourced schools and develop their sporting abilities. Oral Question: Special Sports Schools Development (Q.1468/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna — Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education AI summary In response to Question 1468/2025, the Deputy Minister stated that a 2025 special project to develop sports schools selected five provinces and six schools, funded by Rs. 200 million from the Department of Sports Development out of a Rs. 500 million allocation. He said the Southern Province was not permanently excluded, but the 2025 phase was limited to the selected schools under budgetary constraints. He reported that Rs. 150 million had been released to District Secretariats by August 2025, with 44.823% financial progress and 62.1% physical progress, while the remaining Rs. 50 million would not be used that year due to practical constraints including cyclone damage. Oral Question: Special Sports Schools Development (Q.1468/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the 2026 education reform allocations aim to address resource gaps in secondary schools, including laboratories, IT connectivity, equipment, devices, and smart classrooms. She said facilities had been assessed and would be provided in phases, with all secondary schools targeted to receive at least one smart classroom and adequate connectivity by year-end through negotiations with internet service providers. She also noted that identified schools would receive special support and that provinces would receive funds in addition to Line Ministry allocations. Oral Questions: Paddy Marketing Board and Fertilizer Subsidies Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran raised safety concerns about Mulliyawalai Kalaimagal Vidyalayam in Mullaitivu, noting that he had inspected it and that there are no alternative buildings for students and staff. He also questioned the Government’s education reform commitments, asking whether schools in the Vanni District will receive sufficient computers and priority support in 2026 to address inadequate laboratory, IT and practical learning facilities. Oral Questions: Paddy Marketing Board and Fertilizer Subsidies Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a project begun in 2016 and stopped in 2020 had led to contractual and cost-related complications, requiring a review of projects in 2025–2026 and renegotiations with contractors. She said budget allocations had been prioritized for completing incomplete infrastructure, while some unusable buildings would be abandoned and unsafe school buildings should not be used pending decisions. She requested details of any specific unsafe school so the matter could be investigated. Oral Questions: Paddy Marketing Board and Fertilizer Subsidies Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Thurairasa Ravikaran raised concerns over accident risks from unfinished school constructions, citing a National Audit Office report, a Sunday Times report, and his own visit to a Mullaitivu school. He asked the Government to ensure proper barricading to prevent student and staff access to incomplete buildings and to state the Budget provision and priority order for completing such works. Oral Questions: Paddy Marketing Board and Fertilizer Subsidies Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya replied to Question 1269/2025, stating that 356 partially constructed and abandoned buildings exist in government schools, with larger inventories identifying 468 projects under various categories. She attributed the delays to the closure of the “Nearest School – Best School” Project Management Unit in 2020, shortage of technical staff, COVID-19 disruptions, the economic crisis, contractor unwillingness to continue at old prices, and insufficient donor or private funding. She said the Government reviewed these projects in 2025 and 2026, allocated funds to complete viable buildings subject to contractual renegotiation, and would abandon unusable structures while instructing principals not to use unsafe buildings and to ensure student safety where limited use continues. Oral Questions: Paddy Marketing Board and Fertilizer Subsidies Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister provided a detailed update on relief measures following Cyclone “Ditcha”, stating that 2,487,114 persons were affected and tabling district-wise annexes on impacts and grant payments. She said one-time housing grants of Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 50,000 had largely been disbursed, while compensation for fully and partially damaged houses was still at an early stage, with remaining funds requested and appeals under review. She also reported that 207,312 affected schoolchildren were eligible for a Rs. 25,000 grant for books, stationery and clothing, funded through Disaster Management allocations and the President’s Fund, with most payments completed but no fixed date set for full completion. Oral Question: Cyclone Ditcha Relief and Compensation (Q.1368/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister stated that selected individuals would be appointed under agreements and bonds, with compliance mechanisms in place. She said the policy mirrors practices in other countries that identify top talent for specialized training, and is intended to address existing skills or capacity gaps. Oral Question: Government Printing Department Vacancies and Qualifications Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister stated that the Government has begun programmes to improve professionalism and qualifications in the public service, including MoUs and training opportunities with India and Singapore for serving officers. She also said high-performing A/L students will be funded to study critical fields at leading international universities, with the expectation that they return to serve the country. Oral Question: Government Printing Department Vacancies and Qualifications Read →
- 4 March 2026 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake argued that Sri Lanka’s pool of specialized expertise is diminishing and called for stronger emphasis on technical competence in public life. He referred to his earlier proposal that minimum qualifications should be required even for politicians, and urged reforms to prioritize merit and experience in national decision-making. Oral Question: Government Printing Department Vacancies and Qualifications Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Over the past year and a half, the Prime Minister said the Government had begun orderly, merit-based recruitment processes to address the issue under discussion. She presented these recruitment measures as the relevant policy response within her education-related ministerial responsibilities. Oral Question: Government Printing Department Vacancies and Qualifications Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister stated that the decline in the public service is a long-standing issue caused by factors including improper recruitment practices, affecting multiple institutions. She indicated that the relevant subject Minister would provide details regarding the specific institution in question. Oral Question: Government Printing Department Vacancies and Qualifications Read →
- 4 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 responded on Sri Lanka’s participation in the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit held from 16 to 20 February, stating that it focused on responsible, inclusive and human-centred AI governance under the themes People, Planet and Progress. She said Sri Lanka’s Head of State-level participation emphasized fair access, cultural and linguistic diversity, safety, and regional cooperation through affordable access, curated language datasets, common evaluation and safety tools, and capacity building. She also outlined bilateral meetings held with leaders from India, France, Bhutan, Brazil, the UAE and the United States, covering cooperation in digital technology, AI, trade, investment, tourism, education, health, maritime affairs and regional partnerships. Oral Question: Artificial Intelligence Summit 2026 Read →