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- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara challenged the claim that the current administration inherited a collapsed economy, stating that when his side handed over power, growth was about 5 per cent and reserves stood at US$ 6 billion. He raised a supplementary question on problems faced by those who retired between 2020 and 2024, particularly regarding permits and retirement-related entitlements. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary Nishantha Jayaweera clarified that the figure of over 20,000 related to general permits, not retirement concession permits, which are one-time benefits limited to eligible designations. He stated that the retirement concession provides duty relief in bands equivalent to Rs. 12 million, Rs. 16 million and Rs. 22 million, and said the Government is considering options for eligible retired officers amid ongoing economic stabilization and major disaster-related expenditure. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara asked whether the Government would prioritize vehicle permit issuance for about 1,900 retired eligible officials who had not received permits, noting that only 729 permits had been issued annually despite around 20,000 eligible officials. He proposed issuing permits to retirees first, for example 100 per month, before addressing other eligible applicants, and sought clarification in light of differing statements made by the President on whether the permit scheme would continue. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Industry and Entrepreneurial Development AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Industry and Entrepreneurial Development met under the chairmanship of Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, with the participation of members from government and opposition benches. The listing records the members present for the committee proceedings on 3 February 2026, but does not include substantive debate, proposals, questions, or decisions. Opening and Parliamentary Announcements Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha questioned the lowering of qualifications for appointing Deans under the Universities (Amendment) Bill and urged a broader reform approach to higher education. He proposed mandatory service bonds or legal mechanisms requiring beneficiaries of free university education, especially doctors, engineers, specialists and technical graduates, to serve in Sri Lanka for a defined period and return after overseas training. He also called for engagement with destination countries on retaining Sri Lankan professionals, the establishment of reputable private universities to reduce foreign education costs, and increasing education expenditure toward 5 per cent of GDP. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake supported the Universities (Amendment) Bill as a necessary step toward broader education reform, citing the large gap between students qualified for university entry and those actually admitted. He argued that reforms should address outdated curricula, labour-market mismatch, weak vocational pathways, language and digital gaps, politicization, and graduate unemployment, while strengthening TVET, innovation, entrepreneurship, and human capital development. He welcomed the Government’s continuation of policies such as the IMF programme, open-economy measures, privatization initiatives, and tariff rationalization, but urged reforms to be institutional rather than dependent on individuals. On university governance, he called for democratic checks and balances, including limiting ministerial appointees to university councils to around 40–45 per cent to improve merit-based decision-making. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth requested infrastructure, education and administrative improvements for Pottuvil, Nintavur, Akkaraipattu, Attalaichenai and surrounding areas, including a Tourism Faculty at South Eastern University, urgent repair of a flood-damaged bridge, bilingual translation of government circulars, and more Tamil-speaking officers. He highlighted severe teacher shortages, inadequate English-medium subject teaching, lack of ICT facilities, and specific school building needs, while calling for teacher appointments to match divisional vacancies. He also sought upgrades to vocational training centres, roads, bridges, street lighting, government vehicles and local authority machinery, and requested a permanent Irrigation Engineer to better serve farmers and tourism-related local services. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman challenged claims about plantation wage increases, arguing that higher daily wages have been offset by increased plucking targets and asking the Labour Minister to investigate and issue a Gazette to prevent such practices. He defended the Saumyamoorthi Thondaman Memorial Foundation, citing its establishment in 2005 and comparing it with other memorial institutions, while rejecting criticism of its naming and family involvement. He also questioned government relief commitments to cyclone-affected hill country communities, especially landless and homeless people, and requested that Hansard correct a reference to “Mulloya Govindan.” Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara supported the Universities (Amendment) Bill, arguing that it expands democratic participation in dean selection and introduces term limits rather than promoting authoritarianism. He rejected Opposition criticisms on education reform, stating that current reforms aim to strengthen public education without burdening parents, unlike earlier proposals he said would have shifted costs to families and privatized aspects of schooling. He also addressed estate worker wages, saying an additional Rs. 400 would be provided from 10 February through company and Government contributions, and described contrary claims about work norms as misinformation. The speech further criticized vulgar language and conduct in Parliament, corrected the term “Malaiyagam community,” and cited economic indicators such as investment, tourism, remittances, and stock market performance as signs of progress. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said he would continue raising allegations against the Government despite indictments filed against him. He criticized the Education Ministry over alleged politically motivated transfers in the Southern Province, lack of inquiry into similarities in the A/L Economics paper, a Western Province Grade 11 History paper leak, proposed closure of small rural schools, and possible withdrawal of difficult area allowances for teachers. He urged the Government to provide 50,000 jobs for unemployed graduates and called for action over an allegation involving the OIC of Ranajayapura Police, while also arguing that the Education portfolio should be reassigned if current problems persist. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa addressed the GMOA’s 48-hour island-wide strike, acknowledging doctors’ contribution to health services while arguing that the Government has already granted substantial salary and allowance increases despite inheriting a bankrupt economy. He detailed phased public-sector salary increases from April 2025, January 2026, and January 2027, including higher overtime, holiday pay, extra-duty rates, and tax relief through the raised APIT threshold. He cited specific increases for preliminary grade, Grade II, and Grade I medical officers to support the Government’s position that doctors’ remuneration has improved significantly. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj JJB AI summary Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj raised concerns that many estate cooperatives providing loans to workers are not being audited. He asked whether the Government would audit these estate co-ops and submit the audit reports to Parliament. Oral Question No. 8 (Deferred) and Question Stand Down Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Upali Samarasingha - Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development JJB AI summary On behalf of the relevant Minister, the Deputy Minister provided figures on co-operative outlets in Badulla District, stating that 58 outlets were operating as at 1 January 2026, including 9 within estate areas. He reported that 180 outlets had closed between 2015 and 2025, mostly those run by Multipurpose Co-operative Societies. He also clarified that no separate estate co-operative societies are registered specifically for housing construction and loans, though estate workers’ co-operatives provide loans and consumer goods, with 3 Estate Shop Co-operatives and 63 Estate Housing Co-operatives operating in Badulla. Oral Question No. 8 (Deferred) and Question Stand Down Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB AI summary W.H.M. Dharmasena questioned the Minister on whether workers at the Sevanagala and Pelwatte state sugar factories would receive the public sector pay increases granted since 2025. He linked the issue to falling ethanol prices, increased imports, delayed maintenance, and factory breakdowns that have left the workers in distress. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa detailed land use, production, sales, operational issues, and employee payment matters at the Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugar factories. He said Sevanagala’s 2025 output was affected by machinery failures, procurement delays, farmer protests, field burnings, VAT-related sales constraints, and cash-flow problems, while Pelwatte production proceeded as planned. He reported that EPF arrears at Sevanagala had been settled, Pelwatte arrears were being addressed through Cabinet-approved funding and the 2026 Budget, and monthly EPF/ETF payments had resumed on schedule from October 2025. He also stated that formal cadre approval, recruitment, promotion procedures, and placement on government salary scales for Lanka Sugar Company employees were being finalized. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep JJB AI summary While welcoming training and cultural facilities, the speech notes that previous operations were slow and that many trainees had difficulty finding suitable employment locally or abroad. It states that the Government will seek to place trainees from the Thondaman Vocational Training Centre in government service where possible and connect them with foreign employment opportunities. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel raised concerns that certificates issued through the Thondaman Vocational Training Centre and Hatton Norwood Stadium are often from unrecognized bodies and that institutional activities are limited. She asked whether NVQ certificates awarded there will be officially recognized by the Government and what employment prospects upcountry youth can expect from them. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 22 January 2026 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised an urgent question under Standing Order 27(2) regarding a Deputy Minister’s statement on converting EPF lump-sum gratuity into a monthly pension, noting unrest among workers and unions and recalling the 2011 controversy and Roshen Chanaka’s death. He questioned whether IMF conditions, actuarial studies, Cabinet discussions, or comparative analyses support the proposal, and asked that relevant material be presented to Parliament. He sought assurances on safeguards for the Rs. 6.2 trillion EPF/ETF asset base, continued pre-retirement withdrawal facilities, prevention of political or debt-financing use of funds, and a transparent consultation process with trade unions before any gazette is issued. Question by Private Notice: Employees' Provident Fund Gratuity to Pension Scheme (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe stated that unsafe settlements and unauthorized constructions remain a long-term consequence of inadequate planning. He outlined measures to revive industries affected by recent damage, including the IRFP to connect major enterprises with 200 affected industries, Industrial Development Board assessments for machinery replacement, possible tax relief, and UNDP-supported guarantee and risk systems. He also called for a national approach to flood insurance, especially for riverbank businesses, and for embedding risk management and business continuity planning in industrial development. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary During the debate on recovery from the “@OOo” cyclone, the Deputy Minister said the Government’s priority was to restore affected industries and businesses, with over 90 per cent of large industries resuming within one to two weeks after road, power and water services were restored. He outlined Ministry actions including a dedicated Disaster Management Centre, use of floodsupport.org to collect business data, Rs. 200,000 grants for MSMEs, and a target to pay 6,370 agency-linked beneficiaries by 31 January. He also cited Central Bank moratoria, subsidized credit facilities, a Rs. 10 billion on-lending scheme, a corporate-supported Industry Recovery Foster Programme, and plans for machinery replacement support, credit guarantees, risk management, insurance, and a national industrial resilience plan. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →