2026-02-17 / Question by Private Notice: Registration of Madrasas and Arabic Colleges 2026-02-17
## Summary
The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs addressed the registration status of Islamic educational institutions, confirming that Qur'an madrasa registration is proceeding without difficulty, while the registration of Arabic colleges has faced delays since the 2019 Easter attacks due to increased scrutiny. Currently, 321 Arabic colleges are registered with 82 applications pending, with delays attributed to the interconnected drafting of a Madrasa Schools Bill and a revised syllabus, which must be harmonised before either can be finalised. Three nine-member review committees are working on the legal and curricular framework, with both documents reported to be at a final stage following instructions from the Minister of Education. The Minister personally committed to intervening to resolve remaining obstacles and expedite the registration process.
Hon. Speaker, I respond as follows.
1. It is possible to grant approval. Registration of Qur’an madrasas (after-school classes for Qur’an recitation) is ongoing without issue. The primary focus is on Arabic colleges.
2. Steps taken:
- On 2024-04-01, then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe called for a Madrasa Schools Bill; work commenced. On 2025-10-13, the present President convened all stakeholders to expedite matters.
- Other religions have long operated religious institutions (e.g., Pirivena) without issue; difficulties regarding Arabic colleges arose after the 2019 Easter attacks, necessitating closer scrutiny.
- Currently, 321 Arabic colleges are registered; 82 applications are pending.
- Delays stem from the ongoing revision of the syllabus. The Ministry of Education has appointed a committee; the Madrasa Bill and the syllabus are interlinked and must be harmonised to avoid overlaps.
- Three nine-member review committees are functioning to draft the legal and curricular framework; their TORs were sent to the President’s Office on 2024-04-30.
- According to the Director of Muslim Schools Development, both the Bill and the syllabus are at the final stage. The Minister of Education has instructed that both be considered together and finalised expeditiously.
I personally take a keen interest in this matter and will intervene to complete the final steps and remove obstacles to registration.