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 November 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy argued that industrial revival in the Northern and Eastern Provinces is a priority of the Government, following years of stagnation, limited investment, COVID-era impacts on SMEs, and insufficient post-war development. He outlined proposed initiatives including developing Kankesanthurai as a commercial hub, restarting the Paranthan Chemical Factory, expanding Mannar salt production, creating an industrial estate in Mankulam, reviving the Oddusuddan bottle factory, and hosting a Northern Investment Summit. He identified infrastructure deficits, limited access to capital, weak market access, and skills shortages as key constraints, and said Budget allocations aim to support equitable regional development through industry and tourism. He urged political actors not to obstruct development or inflame communal tensions, calling for cooperation for the benefit of the Tamil people and the country. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara argued that government import and tax policies are undermining Sri Lanka’s sugarcane industry, particularly in Monaragala, despite commitments to promote domestic production. He said large volumes of imported sugar, equal taxation of white and brown sugar, VAT on local sugar, and imported inputs for ethanol production have left local sugar and ethanol unsold, and called for higher duties and tax relief to protect domestic producers. He also requested restoration of fertilizer support, urgent payment of EPF/ETF arrears for workers at Sevanagala and Pelwatte, and asked whether the Government intends to privatize or close sugar mills under the Sri Lanka Sugar Company. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara argued that Sri Lanka must strengthen domestic industrialization to earn foreign exchange ahead of resumed debt repayments from 2028, rather than relying mainly on remittances and tourism. He called for state intervention to revive closed factories, fair treatment of entrepreneurs affected by the reactivated Parate Law, electricity tariff relief and faster approvals for small industries, and better policy handling of sectors such as sugar. He also criticized the implementation of Aswesuma, saying flawed data and criteria excluded some genuinely poor households while including ineligible beneficiaries. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Manoj Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Manoj Rajapaksha spoke in support of the Committee Stage allocations for the Ministries of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, and Rural Development, Social Protection and Community Empowerment, arguing that past economic approaches had left key productive sectors weakened and rural poverty entrenched. He defended the Government’s current programmes, including the national anti-narcotics initiative and the “Praja Shakthi” rural development programme, and said these align with the President’s Budget proposals to eradicate rural poverty through village-level economic empowerment, infrastructure, education, health, and social protection. Citing high rural and estate-sector poverty, including in the Kegalle District and Dedigama electorate, he said social protection and empowerment measures must directly target poor rural and estate communities. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed said the 2026 Budget and industrial development plans should give greater attention to the war-affected Northern and Eastern Provinces, where agriculture and fisheries remain vulnerable to floods, wildlife damage and unresolved subsidy issues. He called for the revival and modernization of factories such as the Kankesanthurai cement factory, Oddusuddan bottle factory, Paranthan chemical corporation, Manthai Salt Limited and Valachchenai Paper Mill, and for new factories and industrial estates in Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu to address unemployment. He also requested an increase in Aswesuma benefits, revision of beneficiary selection criteria, new appointments and higher travel allowances for Samurdhi Development Officers, and increased allowances for elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB AI summary Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena urged urgent intervention to stabilize the Sevanagala and Pelwatte sugar companies, describing them as central to Monaragala District’s economic development since their establishment in 1977. He cited unpaid farmer dues, employee grievances over medical insurance, EPF/ETF, promotions and salary increases, large unsold sugar stocks, and reduced cane-crushing capacity, proposing that stock sales and operational improvements be used to address these issues. He also defended his past involvement in employment matters at Pelwatte as being in the interest of local residents and argued that the factories should be protected for farmers, workers, and the district’s future. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha stated that issues should be escalated to the ministry only if they cannot be resolved at district committee level. He said the Government is supporting entrepreneurs from village to provincial level by allocating funds and creating an enabling environment for industry and entrepreneurship, and expressed confidence that national development goals are achievable. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha said Sri Lanka’s industrial share of GDP has grown only modestly over 75 years and argued that long-term industrial development requires an enabling environment and education reforms to produce entrepreneurs rather than only job-seekers. He outlined planned 2026 reforms introducing Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy from Grade 6, expanding entrepreneurship studies at O-Level and A-Level, and shifting teaching and assessment toward skills such as problem-solving, creativity, collaboration and communication. He also said new technology and vocational streams would support industrial manpower needs, while newly established District and Divisional Industrial Promotion Committees would decentralize support for industrialists and entrepreneurs. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda urged the Government to reduce or restore previous tax arrangements on imported uncut gemstones and gold, arguing that current duties are burdening small and medium gem and jewellery entrepreneurs and undermining a sector linked to tourism. He also requested support for Galle District carving industry entrepreneurs, including improved Laksala payment practices, access to timber, loan facilities, and equipment, in line with the Government’s target of increasing tourism revenue to USD 10 billion by 2030. He called on the Minister to address delays in the Small Enterprise Development Division’s entrepreneurship exhibition, including a stalled stall-tender process despite a Rs. 25 million allocation, so that young entrepreneurs can access markets and support. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Chanaka Madugoda, speaking during the Committee Stage debate on the Ministries of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, and Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, said past infrastructure projects under Mahinda Rajapaksa had created a foundation for industrial and entrepreneurial growth. He argued that successive crises, including the war, insurrections, Black July, the tsunami, terrorist attacks, COVID-19, and recent unrest, had hindered industrial development. He stated that the current Government now has an opportunity to strengthen SMEs, expand large enterprises, and attract major investment. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary Hon. T.K. Jayasundara supported the 2026 Budget allocation for the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, arguing that Sri Lanka should rebuild industrial confidence through collective effort, self-help, and a village-centred entrepreneurship model. He said the Ministry is coordinating district and divisional industry promotion bodies and agencies under a unified framework, while depoliticizing assistance and improving productivity, financial literacy, digitalization, and monitoring. He highlighted measures including anti-dumping and countervailing duties, credit mechanisms, and support for export-oriented sectors such as cinnamon, tea, coir, wood products, spices, food products, and gems, while also identifying narcotics and labour constraints as barriers to industrial development. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Waruna Liyanage SJB AI summary Hon. Waruna Liyanage called for measures to revive industry and employment, citing the closure of two garment factories in Nivitigala that affected about 4,000 workers, and supported a temporary suspension of PAYE implementation to ease recovery. He urged tax relief and regulatory reforms for the Ratnapura gem sector, including removal of VAT and SSCL on gem imports, rationalization of export levies, and safeguards around new rules permitting export of certain rough stones. He also criticized high rental costs paid by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and requested renewed training programmes and cost-effective administrative arrangements to support cutters, polishers, and legal exports. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva marked the first anniversary of the current Government and urged support for its anti-narcotics efforts, arguing that youth protection is essential to national development. He focused on disability rights reforms, stating that amendments to the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, No. 28 of 1996, aligned with the UNCRPD, will be taken to the National Council and then to the Legal Draftsman and Parliament. He cited increased allowances, expanded beneficiaries, vocational training, a proposed three per cent public service employment quota, and a private sector wage subsidy as measures to empower persons with disabilities. He also highlighted support for children with developmental and intellectual disabilities and called on social service officers and state institutions to help integrate persons with disabilities into social and economic life. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Dilith Jayaweera urged that entrepreneurship be treated as a core element of national strategy rather than a vague concept. He called for studying regional and global competition and argued that embedding entrepreneurship in the national mindset would help address social problems such as drug use and support national development. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Dilith Jayaweera said his party would support the Government if it was convinced that the Government’s programme was genuine, nationally focused and not influenced by external interests. Referring to the Tangalle rally on drugs, he argued that addressing drug use requires broader economic development and opportunities for youth, including access to capital, credit, training and scholarships, rather than relying only on political campaigns around a single issue. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera argued that the Budget under Industry and Entrepreneurship Development lacks a clear strategy for wealth creation and should prioritize building an entrepreneurial mindset from early education rather than only focusing on debt and tax revenue. He said Sri Lanka should engage the IMF from a position of strength while pursuing a national economic agenda, and cautioned against policies he described as externally driven. He also called for urgent enforcement action in the tourism sector, alleging that some foreign visitors are operating informal businesses and illegal activities without paying taxes or retaining value in Sri Lanka. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage outlined the Ministry’s 2025 work and 2026 plans in rural development, social security and community empowerment, including new institutions for rural development and an integrated approach to poverty reduction through assistance, empowerment and production. He said the Samurdhi Department has been reoriented toward community empowerment, with family development plans prepared and around 292,000 families economically supported, while 65,670 low-income youth have enrolled in the “Next Sri Lanka” employment and vocational training programme. He also noted reforms to subject 1,097 Samurdhi Banks to government audit, introduce a unified financial system, expand scholarships and housing assistance, address Samurdhi employee issues, and allocate Rs. 27,381 million to the Samurdhi Department in the 2026 Budget. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition questioned the Government’s treatment of MSMEs, citing large-scale closures and urging expedited loan restructuring, improved ease of doing business, a clear export strategy, and dialogue with MSME representatives. He argued that Aswesuma alone cannot eradicate poverty and called for a comprehensive poverty strategy based on production, savings, investment, consumption, and exports, while also proposing support for traditional industry villages to access global markets. He raised an alleged foreign employment fraud involving a licensed agency in Maharagama and requested action by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and relevant ministers to support victims. He also questioned whether projected growth, remittances, exports, and FDI would be sufficient when debt servicing resumes in 2028, and asked the Government to explain the macro-linked bond feature in the IMF agreement. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the Ministry’s 2025 priority was to restore confidence in a distressed industrial and entrepreneurial sector, citing improved indicators including export growth, manufacturing growth, higher industrial production, lower NPLs, and increased registrations of industries, entrepreneurs, and exporters. He outlined Ministry actions such as allocating state land for industry, developing industrial parks, supporting MSME debt restructuring and concessional credit, strengthening productivity and district-level support systems, and reviving or restructuring state industrial enterprises. He said new institutional arrangements, export development measures, SME frameworks, training programmes, and digital decentralization were intended to support industrialization and entrepreneurship under the 2026 Estimates. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri moved the customary Rs. 10 reductions to the relevant expenditure heads during the Committee Stage debate and criticised the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry’s handling of issues including sugar pricing, domestic industry revival, MSME closures, and lack of relief for microfinance and domestic debt-affected borrowers. He questioned perceived inconsistencies between the President’s pledge to eradicate drugs and underworld activity and Minister Sunil Handunnetti’s earlier statements, and urged the Minister to meet expectations created while in Opposition. He also called on the Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Ministry to better support vulnerable groups, including producing Hansard in Braille, reviving welfare-related funds, targeting assistance to those genuinely in need, and designing livelihood-focused programmes rather than characterising beneficiaries negatively. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →