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- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Labour stated that EPF members with 10 years of active service may obtain a second 30% advance after the first, and that 744 applications were received between 31 July and 5 December 2025, with 702 paid and 42 under processing. He said complaints can be submitted to the Department of Labour by letter, through its online Complaint Management System, or via the Ministry WhatsApp number, and noted that documentation requirements for eligible purposes under the Act may be reduced in forthcoming amendments. He also said discussions have begun at the National Labour Advisory Council to amend the EPF Act and that Digital EPF software has been launched as part of departmental digitalization. Oral Question: Balance Funds of Members of EPF - 30 Per Cent Withdrawal Permitted (Q.1436/2025) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that EPF members may withdraw 30 per cent of their fund balance, including a second withdrawal after 10 years, and that members face difficulties in obtaining the second withdrawal. She requested details of measures taken to reduce those difficulties, or reasons if no such measures have been taken. Oral Question: Balance Funds of Members of EPF - 30 Per Cent Withdrawal Permitted (Q.1436/2025) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan asked the Minister to clarify the status of relief promised by the President to fishermen during a visit to his district. He said relief was reportedly being channelled through Divisional Secretariats, but alleged that fishermen were not receiving it. Oral Question: Fishermen in Pottuvil DS Division - Provision of Facilities (Q.1397/2025) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Ministry provides assistance, grants, and relief in marine disasters affecting fishermen, including damage or loss of boats and persons lost at sea. He invited the Member to submit the specific cases raised so that further information could be provided and follow-up action ensured. Oral Question: Fishermen in Pottuvil DS Division - Provision of Facilities (Q.1397/2025) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth raised a supplementary question on the impact of recent nationwide floods on fishermen, particularly in Ampara District areas including Maruthamunai, Kalmunai, Sainthamaruthu, Nintavur, Attalaichenai, Akkaraipattu, Thirukkovil, Pottuvil, Komari, and Panama. He asked whether the Government would provide grants or loans to restore livelihoods and compensate income losses, and sought clarification on how affected fishermen could access such assistance. Oral Question: Fishermen in Pottuvil DS Division - Provision of Facilities (Q.1397/2025) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake - President, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary The President presented a Rs. 500 billion Supplementary Estimate following a recent disaster, arguing it is necessary to restore livelihoods and support the economy without increasing the 2026 borrowing limit. He said the Government’s fiscal position remains stable, citing a positive Treasury balance, higher-than-estimated revenue, a low deficit, a 3.8 percent primary surplus, and strong remittances, tourism, and export projections. He acknowledged inflation and exchange-rate risks from the spending and said funds would support both relief and production capacity, while the Government seeks rapid IMF support of US$200 million and additional World Bank, ADB, and foreign exchange financing. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva argued that post-disaster rebuilding should not merely restore damaged infrastructure but add net capacity, while prioritizing spending given poverty levels and future financing pressures. He said the Government is in fact taking Rs. 374 billion in debt, urged greater use of PPPs and private participation in areas such as SriLankan Airlines and electricity infrastructure, and cautioned against relying solely on public borrowing. Referring to affected communities in Hanguranketha and surrounding areas, he called for the National Involuntary Resettlement Policy to be enacted in law to prevent forced returns and protect livelihoods. He also urged Parliament to formally establish the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” fund, citing limited market appetite for dollar bonds, potentially costly IMF borrowing, and pressure on the rupee. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa urged that action be taken before the end-March deadline affecting 9,000–10,000 applicants. He noted that the candidates had already incurred significant expenses and completed medical tests, and called for a practical solution in addition to providing answers. Question by Private Notice: Foreign Employment in Republic of Korea Read →
- 19 December 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about Sri Lankan youth awaiting foreign employment, particularly under Korea’s Employment Permit System, and urged the Government to extend or renew relevant bilateral arrangements before thousands are removed from the waiting list. He asked for details on bilateral job schemes, Korean job quotas by category, reasons for any decline in opportunities, and studies conducted by the Government. He also called for a special relief or priority mechanism for over 9,000 qualified Korean job applicants and questioned what new government-to-government agreements have been secured for other overseas labour markets. He further sought an explanation and remedial action for candidates affected under the 2011 G2G agreement with Italy, including those who passed the 2014 examination but did not receive employment placements. Question by Private Notice: Foreign Employment in Republic of Korea Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir AI summary Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir highlighted severe flood damage in Puttalam District, including losses to agriculture, salt production, prawn aquaculture and coir-related livelihoods, and called for practical recovery measures such as reduced fertilizer prices, infrastructure support and industry revival plans. He requested proper access roads and restoration of the Puttalam–Mannar road, urgent action to reopen waterlogged schools, and village-level mobile arrangements to distribute the Rs. 25,000 house-cleaning assistance so affected residents need not travel long distances. He urged that relief and economic restoration be approached beyond party politics, emphasizing the national economic importance of Puttalam’s industries. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB AI summary The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti clarified that the Rs. 200,000 assistance is not intended to fully revive affected businesses, but to help clean and prepare premises for reopening. He said further support, including insurance coverage and bank-backed revival packages, is being discussed with insurers and financial institutions through an inter-ministerial process. The proposed scheme is intended to apply to all affected industries. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem requested the Minister of Industries to reconsider the financial assistance provided to small businesses in districts including Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. He argued that the Rs. 200,000 allocation is insufficient and proposed increasing the initial bulk disbursement to help businesses restart operations. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti – Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti outlined post-disaster support for affected enterprises, stating that nearly 29,649 businesses had been registered, over 10,000 verified, and Rs. 10.5 billion released to 9,628 enterprises in 17 districts, including Rs. 200,000 initial grants per verified enterprise. He said the Government, banks, the Central Bank and the Finance Ministry were coordinating loan moratoria, concessional lending at around 3 per cent, and an Rs. 80 billion enterprise credit programme, while requesting Members to help affected businesses complete registration. He also described expedited mining and material-supply procedures for reconstruction, and reported district-level response and relief figures for Matara and Batticaloa, including flood management, emergency camps, compensation and relief payments. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Dr. V.S. Radhakrishnan raised concerns about disaster-affected estate communities in the hill country, urging that displaced people not be sent back to unsafe homes until proper NBRO certification and basic facilities are ensured. He called for careful handling of relocations in areas such as Vaewandan and Norwood, and pressed the Government to address long-standing estate worker issues by securing wage increases, seven-perch housing land allocations, and permanent settlement in the hill country. He also questioned school reopening claims in the Central Province, requested new buildings for affected schools, and urged immediate appointment of all 1,162 eligible principals. He thanked India, MPs, and the public for relief assistance, while stating that the Government must take responsibility for protecting affected communities. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the State was on a recovery path in 2025, with higher public sector salaries, planned recruitment of 76,000 public servants including about 12,000 graduate positions, and improved revenue collection, but that a recent natural disaster had created a major economic shock. He argued that revenue gains came mainly from better tax administration rather than new taxes, noting reductions or deferrals to PAYE, digital services, property, and milk-product taxes, while Customs, Inland Revenue, and Excise collections had increased. He rejected proposals to halt the Appropriation Bill or introduce an interim Budget, stating that the 2026 Budget formed part of a broader economic strategy and that relief would be provided without destabilizing the fragile recovery. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Continued Budget Debate and Amendments Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary Called for the reinstatement of the disaster insurance fund and urgent measures to protect plantation workers living in designated high-risk zones. He also requested expedited funding for slope stabilization along the upcountry railway and transparent reporting of casualty and missing-person figures. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB AI summary The Government has initiated measures to implement procedures ensuring that opportunities are provided to duly qualified officers. Oral Question: Officers of Sri Lanka Administrative Service - Transfers (Q.1506/2025) Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Recruitment will include an interview after the examination as a second stage. School-based experience, including service by Development Officers functioning as teachers, will be credited, and candidates will make a presentation on the role and functioning of a teacher in a school. Oral Question: Development Officers Attached to National Schools and Provincial Schools (Q.1309/2025) Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi asked whether Development Officers who have served in schools and taught for around 12 years since 2013 could receive special consideration in the teacher selection process, while maintaining fairness for all graduates. He noted their classroom experience and thanked the authorities for efforts to fill teacher vacancies quickly. Oral Question: Development Officers Attached to National Schools and Provincial Schools (Q.1309/2025) Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Direct absorption into the teachers’ service is not available due to Public Service Commission guidelines and Supreme Court judgments. Litigation-related constraints have been addressed through the Cabinet process, and recruitment will proceed by competitive examination under the Teachers’ Service Minute and PSC recommendations, with the age limit extended to 45 as permitted by the Supreme Court. Oral Question: Development Officers Attached to National Schools and Provincial Schools (Q.1309/2025) Read →