Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Matara

Minister of Women and Child Affairs

Profession: Teacher

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 75 #66 of 225·#29 in party

Attendance 4/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

75 speeches

24 September 2025 AI summary Moving the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill for Second Reading on behalf of the Minister of Justice and National Integration, the Minister said the amendments seek to prohibit all forms of violence against children, particularly corporal punishment, in line with constitutional obligations, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and Sri Lanka’s 2024 international commitment to end corporal punishment. She cited rising and recurring complaints under Section 308A and examples of abuse in homes, schools and care settings, stating that physical, psychological, verbal or sexual violence used for “correction” or discipline would be criminalized except in good-faith emergencies. She said the reforms would strengthen child protection, align policy with international guidance, and be supported by a multi-sectoral mechanism under the National Child Protection Authority, while emphasizing that legal change must be accompanied by cultural, educational and institutional change. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Justice & Human RightsWomen & Children Read →
12 September 2025 AI summary The Minister of Women and Child Affairs moved that Parliament adjourn. The motion was agreed to, and Parliament adjourned at 3.56 p.m. until 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 23rd September 2025. Adjournment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj defended the dignity and role of women MPs, rejecting sexist, ethnic, physical, and family-based attacks and stating that the 20 women Members represent the interests of women across the country. Referring to the Supplementary Estimates for the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, she said Rs. 1,500 million is proposed to provide Rs. 5,000 nutrition packs to undernourished pregnant and lactating mothers over a 10-month period. She cited concerns over malnutrition, low birth weight, stunting, and wasting, and said around 160,200 beneficiaries would be identified from about 280,000 pregnant mothers, using funds saved after an earlier Aswesuma-related food concession was halted during the local election period. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Women & ChildrenPublic FinanceHealthcare Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Moved the Second Reading of the Bill on behalf of the Minister of Justice and National Integration. She also presented two supplementary provision items under Head 123, Programme 02 and Head 171, Programme 02, after which the question was proposed. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary The Minister supported the Bill to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986, arguing that lifetime official residences, allowances, staff salaries, and utility payments for former Presidents and their widows are unjustifiable while large numbers of citizens lack housing or land. She said the Bill ends the conversion of official perks into permanent benefits, while leaving former Presidents’ pensions and security unaffected. She framed the repeal as part of a broader policy of accountable governance, responsible use of public resources, and redirecting attention to housing needs, including among marginalized communities such as plantation workers. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Public FinanceLand & HousingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
22 August 2025 AI summary The Minister thanked Hon. Shritharan for the motion in the context of the upcoming UNHRC session and argued that sustainable peace depends on equal opportunity, justice, accountability, and equitable economic development across communities and regions. She outlined Budget priorities for the North and Malaiyaha areas, including rural roads, bridges, agriculture, transport, education, housing, land, sanitation, and recognition of Malaiyaha people as Sri Lankan citizens. She also highlighted legal measures prohibiting child domestic labour, child begging, and hazardous work under 18, and emphasized women’s political participation, women’s action societies, cottage industry development, equal pay, media freedom, and protection of fundamental rights. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Women & ChildrenEmploymentEducation Read →
22 August 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj presented Supplementary Estimate No. 02 of 2025 and moved that it be referred to the Committee on Public Finance. The House agreed to the motion. Papers Presented Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
21 August 2025 AI summary Mrs. Saroja Savithri Paulraj moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne vacated the Chair and Prof. Nanayakkara assumed it. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Nanayakkara assumed it. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj stated that establishing a regulatory authority to supervise gambling is a necessary and timely measure in a rule-of-law state. She described the initiative as fulfilling a long-neglected responsibility. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Law & Order Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj supported the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, arguing that Sri Lanka needs formal regulation to protect vulnerable groups and prevent gambling-related outflows of money. She linked the Bill with the Public Debt Management Act regulations and Foreign Exchange Act orders as part of broader financial management reforms aimed at accountability, debt discipline, and compliance with international practice. She stated that stronger rules are necessary for Sri Lanka to manage borrowing, meet repayment obligations, and move toward financial stability by 2028. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Law & OrderPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Moved the motion that Parliament do now adjourn. The Presiding Member then proposed the question to the House. Adjournment Debate: Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat in Batticaloa Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary A motion was moved for Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne to take the Chair. The House agreed, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Ariyarathne presided. Debate: Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary The Minister of Women and Child Affairs presented the Department of Probation and Child Care Services Annual Performance Report for 2024. She moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women’s Empowerment, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Reports and Regulations Women & ChildrenParliamentary Procedure Read →
24 July 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Government’s planned education reforms are intended as a systemic change rather than a syllabus revision, beginning with Grade 1 in 2026 and aimed at preparing students for work and society by around 2035. She said the reforms will shift education away from an exam- and marks-centred model toward concept-centred, activity-based learning, particularly in mathematics, science and languages. She outlined the national goals of education and said the reforms will focus on communication, personal development and environmental skill sets to support national unity, democratic values, adaptability and future employment needs. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) Education Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary The Minister, speaking in the adjournment debate on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, recalled the deaths, injuries, and subsequent social distrust, particularly the suspicion faced by Muslim communities and women wearing Islamic attire. She argued that politicians had exploited language, ethnicity, and religion for power, drawing parallels with Sri Lanka’s war experience and global conflicts in which civilians became victims. She stated that the Government is committed to social justice, equal citizenship for Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities, and ensuring justice and punishment for those responsible for the Easter attacks. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Justice & Human RightsSecurity & DefenceEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary Presented a petition on behalf of Mr. S.R. Sunil of Mahachatta, Bandaragama, Kakanadura. Petitions: Presentation of Citizens' Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 June 2025 AI summary The Minister linked the debate on regulations under the Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement, Registration and Execution) Act, No. 49 of 2024, to broader themes of legal reform, justice and social inclusion. She argued that recognition of foreign judgments, particularly in debt and matrimonial matters such as divorce, maintenance and property division, would benefit citizens, including women, while urging reciprocal recognition of Sri Lankan judgments abroad. She also called for faster legal and administrative processes relating to family law, foreign marriages, citizenship and spouses separated by overseas employment, and referred to recent government measures on political privileges, pensions and illicit assets. She additionally noted the National People’s Power’s control of the Colombo and Nuwara Eliya councils and described the election of Vrai Kelly Balthazar as Mayoress of Colombo as significant for reconciliation and women’s political leadership. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Justice & Human RightsWomen & ChildrenEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
6 June 2025 AI summary The Minister of Women and Child Affairs said incidents of abuse highlight the need to strengthen and, where necessary, reform laws and procedures. She emphasized that abuse affects men, women, and children in multiple contexts, and stated that the Government is committed to programmes aimed at building a more humane and caring society. Adjournment: Adjournment Motion and Questions Justice & Human RightsWomen & Children Read →
6 June 2025 AI summary The Minister said official labour force statistics understate women’s contributions by excluding unpaid care, household and voluntary work, and outlined a rights-based approach to increase women’s economic participation, particularly in rural and conflict-affected Northern Province districts. She detailed programmes for female-headed households, entrepreneurship, vocational training, market linkages, safe-house reintegration support, and coordination through Women Development Officers, Advisory Assistants, the Women’s Bureau, NGOs and other ministries. She said that from 2026 the Ministry would formally coordinate women’s empowerment funding across ministries and NGOs, and noted planned social security, pension and livelihood support measures, including prioritising female-headed households under the Praja Shakthi Programme. She also undertook to consider concessional two-wheelers for marginalized women in the North and loans for women entrepreneurs. Adjournment: Adjournment Motion and Questions EmploymentEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionWomen & Children Read →