Sitting of Wednesday, 26 November 2025

Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

1. 1 Opening Speaker's Announcements: New Methodology on Placing Private Members' Motions for Debate 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers Presented: Orders and Regulations 1 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions: Acceptance of Petition from K.M. Manawasinghe Bandara 1 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Central Bank Bond Scam: Impact on the Government (Q.116/2024) 11 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: National Schools and Provincial Schools: Vacancies for Labourers (Q.563/2025) 7 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Questions: Second Round - Colombo-Mannar Train Service and Related Questions 11 speeches ▸
7. 7 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Minimization of Unemployment 4 speeches ▾
   • Mr. Speaker procedural
     Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB

     AI summary The Prime Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on unemployment, stating that Sri Lanka’s unemployment rate had declined to 3.8 percent in the first two quarters of 2025, with 365,958 persons unemployed and the highest numbers among those with G.C.E. (A/L) and below qualifications. She said the Government has short-, medium- and long-term measures to reduce unemployment, including targets under the State Investment Programme 2026–2030 and Budget 2026 allocations for public sector regularization, disability employment incentives, women’s self-employment and training. She also stated that Cabinet-approved recruitment processes would fill public service vacancies, including around 37,000 graduate jobs, with about 25,000 teacher service recruitments to proceed after the relevant Court of Appeal judgment.

     Public FinanceEmployment Full speech →
   • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB

     AI summary Sajith Premadasa noted that the education allocation had increased only from 1.8% to 2% of GDP between 2025 and 2026, arguing that progress toward the 6% target should be faster. Citing the Government’s Policy Statement on recruiting 35,000 graduates, he proposed a one-year stipend-supported apprenticeship programme for unemployed graduates before recruitment into teaching, STEM, technical and other sectors. He also urged diplomatic action with South Korea to restore EPS-TOPIK job placements, saying around 5,000 qualified candidates risk losing opportunities due to the two-year departure limit, and called for filling identified public sector vacancies.

     Foreign AffairsEducationEmployment Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB

     AI summary The Prime Minister thanked the Leader of the Opposition for his proposals and said they would be referred to the relevant authorities, with government intervention where possible. She stated that more than 12,000 graduates had already been recruited and that, following formal notification from the Court of Appeal ending litigation on teacher appointments, the recruitment process would begin immediately to meet the stated targets.

     EducationEmployment Full speech →
8. 8 Papers Papers Presented: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill 1 speeches ▸
9. 9 Debate Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day 157 speeches ▸
10. 10 Procedural Committee Report: Amendments Agreed to in Committee 1 speeches ▸
11. 11 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Grant of Freehold Deeds to Occupants of State Lands 18 speeches ▸