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- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sundaralingam Pradeep defended the Government’s response to the recent “Hour” cyclone, stating that relief efforts were carried out swiftly with support from officials, public representatives, NGOs, the diaspora and foreign leaders, while accusing the Opposition of politicizing shortcomings. He said plantation workers would receive a daily wage of Rs. 1,750 from 10 February and criticized Opposition members over their stance on wage increases. He also announced that, following NBRO guidance, safe land would be identified for affected Hill Country residents and that 7,000 houses with 10 perches of land would be built and handed over in 2026 as the first phase of assistance. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna welcomed the Motion and stated that the Government had approved Rs. 5,000 million to support an increase in estate workers’ daily wage from Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,750, effective from January and payable by February 10. He outlined the scale of damage from Cyclone “Ditwah”, citing Disaster Management Centre and NBRO figures for Matale and nationally, and said relief payments, resettlement, school repairs and irrigation restoration were progressing with support from State agencies, security forces and volunteers. He argued that, despite shortcomings, the disaster response had been effectively managed and called for a constructive Opposition and national cooperation, while also referring to Government efforts against narcotics, organized crime, corruption and fraud. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake criticized the Government’s welfare, foreign employment, and public sector management policies, arguing that earlier opponents of welfare now accept its necessity while youths seeking jobs in Israel face unfair selection processes and possible exploitation by agencies. He raised allegations of mismanagement and losses at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, concerns over removal of senior citizens’ preferential deposit interest, irregular Police transfers, education standards, displacement at Ridigama Tank, CEB promotions, and transfers affecting military intelligence personnel. He also questioned the functioning of the State Plantation Corporation and urged the Government and President to treat communities in the North, East and South equally while respecting war heroes and avoiding communal tensions. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe defended the Aswesuma welfare payment scheme, linking it to the Government’s wider plan to eradicate rural poverty by 2030 and criticizing the Opposition’s record on poverty. He said Budget 2026 allocates Rs. 240 billion for Aswesuma, supporting 1.9 million poor people and 1.27 million elderly persons, disabled persons and CKD patients, while also funding school supplies, shoe vouchers and meals for low-income students. He stated that the programme would extend across about 14,000 GN divisions and be paired with measures to build a production economy, rural housing and infrastructure, MSME support after the “Diththa” cyclone, wage increases and rural livelihood development. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth urged the Government to expedite review and payment issues under the Aswesuma welfare programme in the Pottuvil DS Division, including about 5,000 pending applications and 19 delayed payments, and requested revisions to the points-based selection criteria to better cover poor families. He also called for graduates employed in lower public service posts to be regularized onto appropriate MN salary scales and assigned work relevant to their qualifications. He requested that Eastern Province volunteer teachers appointed under Cabinet Decision No. 19/0314/127/009 have their 2005–2019 volunteer service counted for pension purposes, and asked authorities to upgrade lower-tier Muslim religious education institutions so their qualifications are recognized. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad argued that welfare and social protection are necessary but must be financed sustainably through revenue, productive investment and systemic reform rather than continued borrowing. He proposed reviving a national disaster insurance scheme, creating contributory or dedicated funds for elderly pensions, and changing laws to reduce long-term Treasury dependence. He also urged integrating low-income and disabled beneficiaries into productive community roles and expanding technical and vocational training to help move households from welfare dependence to higher incomes. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. K. Ilankumaran JJB AI summary Hon. K. Ilankumaran outlined the Government’s continuation and expansion of Aswesuma welfare payments, including support for poor and very poor families, vulnerable households, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, CKD patients, and students in Jaffna. He said “at-risk” payments would continue until June 2026 and core benefits until 2027, while the Government’s longer-term aim was to reduce dependency through employment and economic growth. He also referred to recovery from bankruptcy, improving state enterprises, and plans for Northern Province development, including restarting the Paranthan Chemical Factory and promoting equitable development across communities. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel said discrepancies in the Aswesuma Welfare Benefits Payment Scheme, including exclusion of eligible plantation communities and inclusion of ineligible recipients, are being corrected by the Government. She noted increases in elderly, disability and CKD payments, support for children from low-income families, and argued that welfare should help families recover from poverty rather than create dependency. She also linked poverty reduction to education reform, defending the Government’s reform programme against calls for the Prime Minister’s resignation and stating that promised measures, including a Rs. 1,700 daily wage for plantation workers from the 10th of the next month, would be implemented. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana said he would support the Aswesuma payment scheme if it is properly delivered and expanded to eligible poor families, but questioned claims that poverty could be eliminated within five years amid high living costs. He urged the Government to fulfil election promises by reducing fuel prices, commodity prices and electricity tariffs, citing higher-than-expected revenue from vehicle imports as a source for relief. He also called for action against wastage and delays in the Central Expressway project, protection for officials handling disaster compensation, and safeguards for livelihoods such as traditional stake-net fisheries alongside welfare payments. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage JJB AI summary Over 25,000 staff serve in the Samurdhi Development Department, but the issue raised concerns a small group lacking minimum educational qualifications. The Minister said discussions were held with pensions and ministry officials, and that an interim allowance cannot be granted under current regulations without Cabinet approval, so a Cabinet Paper is being prepared. He added that other issues related to converting employees from EPF contributions to pension entitlements during the transition from the Samurdhi Authority to the Department have now been resolved. Oral Question: Pension Entitlements and Samurdhi Banks Computerization (Q.67/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath raised a supplementary question regarding long-standing pension issues faced by Samurdhi Development Officers, including some recruited after exceeding the usual age limit following a past political upheaval. Acknowledging current fiscal constraints, he asked whether the Government could provide an interim allowance or other relief until their pensions are regularized. Oral Question: Pension Entitlements and Samurdhi Banks Computerization (Q.67/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Minister said many pension entitlement and arrears issues relating to Samurdhi Development Officers had been resolved, but officers recruited in 1995 without minimum educational qualifications remained an issue, and steps were being taken, including individual Cabinet decisions and termination of service for those continuing beyond age 55 without qualifications. He stated that promotion schemes for Samurdhi Development Officers and Manager-grade officers had been prepared, with the Management Assistant scheme approved by Cabinet in December 2025 and referred to the Public Service Commission. He also said Samurdhi banks had been brought under Government audit through an amendment to the Act, internal audit and investigation capacity had been strengthened, and procurement and Cabinet action had begun to computerize all Samurdhi banks on a unified digital network. Oral Question: Pension Entitlements and Samurdhi Banks Computerization (Q.67/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said SMEs in the coconut husk sector are struggling against large, technology-intensive producers and high husk prices, which reached about Rs. 22 per nut in some areas in November 2025. He stated that recent foreign investment approvals were withheld to protect SMEs, while the medium-term policy is to expand domestic husk supply by increasing coconut production and productivity. He identified improved fertilization, irrigation and moisture conservation, and pest and disease control as necessary to raise yields from existing coconut stands and meet the target of 4.2 billion nuts by 2030. Oral Question: Export Crops and Coconut Production Targets (Q.49/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Asked what measures the Ministry will take regarding large-scale husk-based manufacturers in the Kurunegala District, particularly around Chariyapola and Panduwasnuwara, where major firms and multinationals are said to influence husk and related product prices. He stated that this situation disadvantages small and medium-sized enterprises and sought a ministerial response on possible intervention. Oral Question: Export Crops and Coconut Production Targets (Q.49/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna asked when the Government would gazette and complete formal appointments of Principals, noting that delays were affecting school management and that about 500 interview-qualified candidates from a pre-2020 examination remained unappointed as teachers. She also questioned when vacancies would be filled and whether pay disparities between officers of the Educational Administrative Service and teachers would be rectified. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Educational Administrative Service Officers (Q.13/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary Recruitments in the education sector were carried out twice in the previous year, and the Ministry plans to proceed this year with placements at zonal offices and schools. No final decision has been made on further recruitments, but the planned placements are expected to support administrative functions to some extent. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Educational Administrative Service Officers (Q.13/2026) Read →
- 9 January 2026 Hon. M.S. Abdul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abdul Wazeeth highlighted severe staffing vacancies at the Pottuvil and Lahugala Divisional Secretariats in Ampara District and requested urgent cadre appointments, especially management service and land administration officers, to maintain public services. He also called for improved education administration in Pottuvil, localised teacher appointments, action on Eastern Province teacher shortages, and consideration for graduates in Siddha, Ayurveda and Unani medicine. He further requested measures for Lahugala’s drinking water and lawful sand extraction needs, immediate coastal protection for the eroding Maligakadu central cemetery, and a slight reduction in the Health Management Service Officer recruitment cutoff mark. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary The Minister explained that the Order under the Shops and Office Employees Act permits women to work at night as food and beverage attendants, particularly to support longer operating hours in the hospitality sector, with safeguards requiring suitable rest accommodation or secure transport after duty. He said the change was requested by employers, employer associations and trade unions, and discussed at the National Labour Advisory Council. He also outlined broader labour law reforms, including a consolidated bill, ratification of ILO Convention C190 on violence and harassment at work, improved industrial relations, and measures to increase women’s labour force participation through safer workplaces, care economy support, and protections against discrimination. Debate: Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Regulation Amendment Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi welcomed the Regulation under the Shops and Office Employees Act to facilitate women’s night employment in the tourism sector. She argued that despite women comprising a majority of the population, low female labour force participation and unemployment require legal measures to expand work opportunities, particularly amid increased tourist arrivals in 2025. She supported the Regulation’s provisions on accommodation, transport and safety, saying they would address parental concerns and enable more women, including those from the hill country, to work without fear. Debate: Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Regulation Amendment Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran supported the regulations under the Shops and Office Employees Act, noting women’s economic contribution and calling for protection of their rights, safety and basic pay. He urged that education reforms preserve Tamil identity, arts, culture, traditions and history, following discussions with the Prime Minister. He also questioned the requirement for low-revenue local authorities to contribute 20 per cent of employees’ salaries, saying they first need income-generating plans, and called for basic wages and pension schemes for three-wheeler drivers, farmers, fishers and similar workers. Debate: Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Regulation Amendment Read →