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- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Jeevan Thondaman questioned the need for emergency powers and alleged that plantation workers are not properly receiving wage increases, calling for direct payment mechanisms, enforcement against estate companies, and a monitoring committee for government allocations to large estates. He disputed government claims on hill-country housing, saying an India-funded scheme had already been revived and approved under his tenure but was delayed after the change of government due to beneficiary-list changes, and claimed no promised new houses had yet been built. He also called for a Parliamentary Select Committee, involving party leaders and the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, to address child abuse following the alleged rape of an 11-year-old linked to a religious institution. He further criticized selective use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and reiterated concerns over increased workloads and targets for plantation workers. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 9 June 2026 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa criticised the Government for failing to implement election promises to farmers, citing high input costs, poor-quality and scarce fertilizer, lack of guaranteed prices, and inadequate action on the human-elephant conflict. He called for the promised guaranteed paddy price, including the stated Rs. 150 per 8 kg pledge, to be delivered and for Treasury allocations to be used to protect livelihoods. He also raised concerns about Divisional Secretaries and other public officers lacking fuel allowances and facilities, and about the suspension of examinations and stalled registrations for over 700 traditional and specialist Ayurvedic practitioners under issues linked to Act No. 31 of 1961. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne supported the extension of the Emergency in the context of Cyclone “Ditva,” rejecting Opposition claims of government inaction and citing housing damage figures, compensation entitlements, and relief allowance disbursements. She said rebuilding and resettlement must proceed with legal, environmental, capacity, and safety considerations, while acknowledging unresolved hardships. She also defended the Government’s broader record, referring to health, wage, energy, and cultural allocations, including funding for mammography machines, cardiac catheterization machines, solar storage systems, and development of the Jaffna Public Library. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera argued that Sri Lanka is approaching a serious economic crisis, saying official indicators such as the primary surplus do not reflect weaknesses in the real economy, including agriculture, tea, manufacturing, SMEs and industry. He compared Sri Lanka’s low usable reserves with India’s and said tourism policy should focus on increasing revenue per visitor, claiming this could generate an additional USD 2–3 billion. He also denied allegations of interfering in investigations relating to Major General Suresh Sallay, stating that he had only participated in a Bodhi Pooja for Sallay’s health and objecting to his continued detention. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan discussed Orders under the Stamp Duty, Ports and Airports Development Levy, Excise, and VAT laws, noting exemptions for disaster relief payments, new levies on plastic water pipes and consumer durables, and the imposition of 18 per cent VAT on certain textile imports. He raised concerns that VAT on imported textiles would strain apparel exporters’ cash flow, that broader consumption taxes would burden low- and middle-income households, and that a lower VAT registration threshold could pressure SMEs. He recommended expedited VAT refunds for apparel exporters and greater reliance on direct taxation while reducing consumption taxes on essential household items. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva said the Deputy Minister had confused Governance-Linked Bonds with Macro-Linked Bonds, noting that the relevant relief under Macro-Linked Bonds depends on GDP exceeding USD 108 billion. He criticised the removal of SVAT, arguing that imposing 18 per cent VAT on domestic inputs while imports for BOI exporters remain zero-rated disadvantages local suppliers and discourages their integration into export value chains. He proposed retaining SVAT for exporters while addressing past abuses, and called for lower electricity tariffs to improve export competitiveness. He said the measure should be withdrawn and amended to better support domestic production and reduce energy costs. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined four fiscal measures: remitting stamp duty on government disaster-assistance payments, updating Ports and Airports Development Levy and excise provisions to align with new HS sub-classifications, and replacing the specific Cess on imported textiles with VAT from 01 April 2026. He said the textile VAT change responds to local garment manufacturers’ requests for equal treatment, allows VAT-registered producers to claim input credits, and should not undercut domestic apparel production because finished apparel imports remain taxed. He also stated that Sri Lanka has met the macroeconomic targets and reporting timelines required under the IMF-linked debt restructuring, making it eligible for a 0.75 percentage point interest relief under Macro-Linked Bonds. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Prime Minister, under Standing Order 27(2), for a detailed assessment of the 2023 IMF Extended Fund Facility following approval of the fifth and sixth reviews and a further US$695 million tranche. He sought information on whether the programme has met its economic, fiscal and social objectives, including effects on living standards, growth, employment, investment, exports, MSMEs, wage earners and vulnerable groups. He also questioned whether Sri Lanka can proceed without another IMF arrangement, whether further engagement with the IMF beyond 2027 is being discussed, and what alternative strategy exists if not. He requested disclosure to Parliament of the total repayment cost of the IMF facility and the annual external debt service schedule from 2028 to 2048. Oral Questions 8-27(2): Standing Order questions Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa stated that people across multiple sectors, including farmers, fishers, workers, industrialists, MSMEs, the self-employed, salaried employees, and entrepreneurs, are facing hardships and expect practical solutions. He called for Government intervention to address their difficulties. Oral Questions 8-27(2): Standing Order questions Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised questions under Standing Order 27(2) on the Government’s economic policy framework, focusing on the coordination of fiscal and monetary policy within the IMF programme and related agreements with international institutions. He asked for details on policy instruments, targets, responsible institutions, risks, and assessments of impacts on inflation, interest rates, the rupee, investment, employment and cost of living. He also sought clarification on reported differences between the Treasury and Central Bank, including the alleged missing US$25 million, and requested that the Treasury’s report on the matter be tabled in Parliament. He further asked what measures are being taken to ease economic pressures on middle-income groups, professionals, MSMEs, farmers, fishers and low-income households, and to strengthen parliamentary oversight and public accountability. Oral Questions 8-27(2): Standing Order questions Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB AI summary Tabled in response to Question No. 8, the answer stated that seven services fall under the Combined Services and provided vacancy figures as at 1 March 2026, including major vacancies in the Management Service Officers Service, Office Employees Service, Combined Drivers Service, ICT Service, Translators Service, and Librarians Service. It outlined Cabinet approvals, gazette notices, examinations, interviews, and appointments already completed or scheduled to fill vacancies in several services, including translators, librarians, ICT officers, MSOs, and drivers. The answer noted that recruitment restrictions during 2020–2024 had created backlogs, and that ongoing recruitment would proceed through due process, cadre reviews, and institutional requirements. Oral Questions 8-27(2): Standing Order questions Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Waruna Liyanage SJB AI summary Hon. Waruna Liyanage raised concerns that co-operative rural banks must deposit Rs. 10,000 with Divisional Secretariats to obtain pawning licences, diverting member funds from societies intended for welfare purposes. Citing about 250,000 affected members in Ratnapura and 2.5 million nationwide, he asked that the system be regularized or the fee collection stopped, and proposed restoring a People’s Bank facility to allow co-operative rural banks to conduct pawning without this licensing burden. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna responded to criticisms about the treatment of estate workers, stating that the Government is addressing issues raised in selective external reports. He outlined recent measures, including wage increases, expanded housing programmes, land title grants, and an increase in allocated land from 7 to 10 perches, while noting challenges in identifying safe land and releasing plantation lands. He said housing construction is progressing with Indian assistance and that post-disaster needs are being addressed through District Coordinating Committees and presidential visits to affected districts. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman urged the Government to respond to grievances in Wevenden following the Ditwah cyclone, stating that residents were protesting over unanswered letters and needed practical solutions rather than political intervention. He called for implementation of Cabinet-approved land rights for hill-country people and asked that plantation wage issues be addressed through the Wages Board so companies could not avoid compliance. He also requested the President’s intervention to resolve the Wevenden concerns. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan said compensation for fully damaged estate houses had not reached workers because they lack land ownership, and urged the Government to address this long-standing issue by granting land rights to estate workers. He requested the establishment of a Special Task Force to finalize land ownership within the Government’s remaining term, even if housing construction is delayed. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman stated that his intention was not to criticize, but suggested that the matter could be streamlined if handled through the Wages Board. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman noted that the Human Rights Commission had recently stated that estate workers were not being paid their wages properly. He raised this as a brief follow-up to the Minister’s response, drawing attention to wage payment issues in the estate sector. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that the Government has allocated Rs. 5,000 million to his Ministry to cover the State’s Rs. 200 contribution to the announced wage increase from January 2026. He said concerns raised by Opposition groups about legality and complaints to CIABOC and the Ministry of Finance were addressed through a Cabinet decision, Finance Ministry concurrence, and precedents for State support to private-sector wages. He affirmed that five months’ payments had already been made and that the agreed wage would continue to be paid. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that the agreement reached on worker payments does not impose additional burdens, higher leaf quotas, or new conditions on workers. He said the Government and companies will each contribute Rs. 200 as an incentive, and assured that the Government will intervene if reports emerge of companies imposing new burdens, emphasizing that the aim is to improve living standards. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Asked whether, following the new wage increase, the daily leaf-plucking kilogram targets or required tasks for workers have been increased. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →