Topic
Employment
1,754 speeches · 310 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. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 84 |
| 2 | Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF | 78 |
| 3 | Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, M.P. JJB | 60 |
| 4 | Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P. JJB | 45 |
| 5 | Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe, M.P. JJB | 41 |
| 6 | Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, M.P. JJB | 32 |
| 7 | Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, M.P. JJB | 31 |
| 8 | Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe, M.P. JJB | 30 |
| 9 | Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, M.P. NDF | 29 |
| 10 | Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 23 |
Speeches
1,754 on this topic- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran warned that the CEB’s proposed 13.56 per cent tariff increase and losses linked to coal procurement would place a further burden on low-income consumers, and called for a proper mechanism for coal imports and electricity generation. He urged the Government to protect the jobs of about 23,000 CEB employees amid unbundling, remove dangerous electricity poles in Ampara and Batticaloa, and expedite delayed new electricity connections. He also requested paddy drying facilities, concessionary electricity, and fair procurement prices for farmers affected by heavy rains in those districts. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that economic indicators show a recovery, moving from contraction in 2023 to 10% growth in 2024 and 25% in 2025. He said around one quarter of the increase was linked to pawning, leasing, and motor vehicles, including commercial vehicles for transport, while about three quarters went to SMEs and other business sectors. He argued that quarterly growth above 5% indicates that government policies are supporting economic recovery. Ministerial Statements: Credit Expansion and State Security Mechanism Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Central Bank’s credit allocation, noting that despite 25% private sector credit growth, much of it is going to pawning, credit cards and leasing rather than SMEs, youth, women and capital expenditure. He argued that this pattern should be redirected to support higher economic growth of 8–10%, while also criticizing the Central Bank’s close alignment with IMF reserve-focused priorities. Ministerial Statements: Credit Expansion and State Security Mechanism Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha — Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Minister tabled an answer detailing Board of Investment-approved foreign investment projects from November 2024 to 31 January 2026. The response stated that 29 approved expansion projects amounted to an estimated US$419 million, while 78 new projects amounted to US$541.38 million, with India accounting for the largest share among new projects. It further reported that 45 projects had either commenced implementation or entered commercial operation, and said the BOI was coordinating with relevant agencies to expedite remaining projects subject to permits, environmental approvals, land selection, investor requirements, and statutory compliance. Oral Question: Investments Received (Finance Ministry); Point of Order on Question Scheduling Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa provided data showing agricultural employment declined from 28.7% in 2015 to 26.0% in 2024, while services employment rose to 48.5%, attributing the shift to expanded industry and services opportunities, higher education, and instability in agriculture. He said the Government is implementing the “Dawn of Revival” food crop promotion programme under the “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life” policy framework, covering rice production, seed security, mechanization, soil nutrient management, protected-house cultivation, value addition and selected food crops. He also cited a Rs. 750 million 2026 credit line for youth entrepreneurs and Department of Agriculture programmes through youth farmer organizations, school clubs, training, technology promotion and market linkage initiatives to attract young people to agriculture. Oral Questions on Tourism, Agriculture and Deferred Question (Q.883/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to provide annual data from 2015 to the present on the percentage of employment in Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector. He also sought reasons for any decline in agricultural employment and asked whether programmes have been formulated to attract youth to the sector, requesting details if such programmes exist or reasons if they do not. Oral Questions on Tourism, Agriculture and Deferred Question (Q.883/2025) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Stepni Fernando JJB AI summary Stepni Fernando asked the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources for details on traditional beach-seine (madäl) fishing, including where it is practiced and whether a licensing system and conditions apply. She sought clarification on whether tractors and winches are permitted or prohibited, the period and number of permissions granted if applicable, and the reasons for any current restrictions. She also asked what steps the Government will take to address fishermen’s concerns and whether scientific methods and regulated distances from shore govern the use of mechanized equipment. Adjournment Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth urged the Government to improve sports infrastructure in Pottuvil, including a modern sports ground, a sports complex, school playgrounds, completion of existing grounds, and the prompt appointment of a sports officer to the Divisional Secretariat. He also called for a Youth Vocational Training Centre and equipment support for local youth training facilities, noting the large number of youth and sports clubs in the area. He requested that the Government purchase wet paddy at a guaranteed price due to heavy rains preventing farmers from drying their harvest, and asked for appointments for candidates who passed the Eastern Provincial graduate teacher recruitment examination but remain unappointed due to cited vacancy issues. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman referred to wage negotiations through the Wages Board, stating that an earlier request for a Rs. 1,700 basic wage had been rejected in favour of Rs. 1,550, contributing to the current dispute. He cautioned against combining trade union activity with politics for political advantage, thanked the President for agreeing to raise the basic wage to Rs. 1,700, and requested continued oversight of wage proposals, including earlier figures of Rs. 2,138 and Rs. 1,750. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Jeevan Thondaman said his party supported the Budget on the basis of the Government’s promise of a Rs. 1,750 daily wage for estate workers and a Rs. 5 billion allocation, but demanded transparency over the agreement underpinning the wage payment. He stated that the document was an MoU, not a collective agreement, and tabled it, objecting in particular to Clause 4.1, which makes gratuity conditional on completing 180 days of work. He argued that plantation companies could use this condition to deny registration and statutory benefits such as EPF, ETF, gratuity and maternity or death benefits, and urged the Government to publish the MoU and reject provisions that undermine workers’ protections. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe (on behalf of the Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody) JJB AI summary The Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe, on behalf of the Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media for details on the attendant cadre in government hospitals and whether there is a shortage against recommended staffing ratios. He further questioned whether patient guardians have had to seek external attendants due to any shortfall, and what measures are being taken to recruit attendants to address the issue. Oral Question: Consumer Price Controls and Raids (Q.10-1834/2026) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister stated that 10,000 postal substitutes are being regularized into permanent service, acknowledging that many have served for 7 to 10 years and are now over the applicable age limits. He said that, after the first batch is absorbed, the Government intends to consider the remaining group fairly through discussions with trade unions, with a view to accommodating them. Oral Question: Drug Varieties Manufactured by SPMC (Q.) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara urged stronger enforcement in response to serious incidents. He also raised concerns about a Gazette relating to the appointment of external postal substitutes as registered substitutes, arguing that delays had unfairly excluded some eligible persons who had passed the age limit of 30. He asked whether the age cap could be relaxed to 35 or 40 to address this issue. Oral Question: Drug Varieties Manufactured by SPMC (Q.) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara raised concerns about Civil Security Department personnel being transferred far from their home districts with inadequate allowances, and requested fair treatment for long-serving officers. He asked for transitional relief for over-30 Postal Department substitutes and for public servants who completed degrees late due to COVID-19 and the economic crisis to be eligible for graduate teaching recruitment. Addressing the SCL Gazette on levies for items such as potatoes and onions, he supported farmer protection but called for seasonally informed, data-based rates and a transparent mechanism to use levy revenue to support farmers while stabilizing consumer prices. He also highlighted falling paddy prices in Anuradhapura and asked when funded paddy dryers would be installed and made operational. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa criticized the Government’s reduction of import duties on food items, arguing it undermines local farmers and fishers while benefiting import traders, and questioned whether promised funds for paddy purchases and disaster compensation are actually available. He demanded timely fertilizer support, fair crop purchasing, and delivery of promised compensation and housing assistance for those affected by the “Ditwah” cyclone. He also raised concerns over foreign employment schemes, alleging that a Government quota for jobs in Israel was being diverted to private agencies while 750 trained applicants remained waiting, and asked that similar issues with Korean employment be addressed. He further questioned the Government’s claims on national security, citing recent murders near Akuregoda and contrasting them with references to cricket-related security arrangements. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj JJB AI summary Kitnan Selvaraj supported the Special Commodity Levy regulations, Customs resolution, and Motor Traffic regulations, arguing that the NPP Government had restored economic stability, increased exports, and enabled measures such as vehicle imports after the earlier crisis. He cited export growth, service export earnings, and sectoral improvements as evidence of progress toward a production economy. He also highlighted the abolition of parliamentary pensions, wage increases for estate workers, and programmes for workers’ welfare, while rejecting Opposition criticism. He said the Government was promoting ethnic, religious, and linguistic harmony through support for major religious and cultural observances, and framed its agenda around building a “prosperous country” and improving citizens’ lives. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana rejected claims that he had not contacted the Fisheries Minister regarding protesting stilt fishers, stating that he spoke to the Minister through a fisherman’s phone and demanding verification and a solution for their grievances. He criticized the Government over alleged unfulfilled promises, investigations, and what he described as attempts to blame stilt fishers for coral damage. He also accused the Government of pursuing political vendettas, cited public dissatisfaction and recent killings as evidence of governance failures, and called for Provincial Council elections if the Government believes it retains public support. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth asked whether the Government would reconsider the ban on using winch machines in shore seine fishing, citing livelihood difficulties for 16 identified fishers in Pottuvil (Jalaldeen Square) and Kuda Kallli. He acknowledged the environmental rationale for the prohibition but proposed allowing controlled use of winches in a manner that avoids environmental harm while reducing the need to mobilize 30–50 labourers for each operation. Oral Question: Fishery Buildings and Shore Seine Fishing in Pottuvil (1750/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe reported on Sri Lanka’s participation in the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour in Marrakesh, noting global figures of about 138 million child labourers despite the 2025 elimination target. He said Sri Lanka records very few complaints annually but is focusing on eradicating child labour in informal sectors, especially agriculture and plantations. He linked the issue to poverty and said poverty alleviation, community awareness with the relevant Ministry, and further targeted measures are being pursued to eliminate child labour in Sri Lanka. Oral Question: Labour Complaint Resolution and Child Labour (1748/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga asked whether labour laws are being updated to reflect emerging technologies and changing work environments. She also requested an update on the progress of the committee previously mentioned in relation to these reforms. Oral Question: Labour Complaint Resolution and Child Labour (1748/2025) Read →