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. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government is addressing medical staff shortages through recruitment, training, extended retirement for doctors up to age 63, and deploying specialists returning from overseas training where necessary. He stated that hospital upgrades would follow the criteria in the relevant circular and would not be limited to changing nameboards. Regarding Puttalam “A” grade Base Hospital, he said an upgrade would be considered once required services, facilities, and staffing are completed. Question by Private Notice: Vacancies and Cadre Revision of Base Hospital, Puttalam Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary 42,254 unemployed graduates were reported in the 2024 Labour Force Survey, and the Government plans employment for 37,309 graduates, including 12,309 Cabinet-approved recruitments and 25,000 recruitments to Grade 3-1(a) of the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service. Public service recruitments will proceed through approved procedures and Cabinet decisions, while the Government also intends to expand opportunities in the SME and private sectors. Teacher vacancies total 36,178 as at 31 May 2025, comprising 4,150 in National Schools and 32,677 in Provincial Schools. Planned measures include further subject-specific National School recruitments, 2,500 English-medium teachers under “English for All,” foreign language teacher appointments, and graduate teacher recruitments subject to the final Court of Appeal order. Oral Questions: Second Round – Unemployed Graduates and Bovine Semen Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka) SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka, on behalf of Suranga Rathnayaka, asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to provide current figures on unemployed graduates as of 1 January 2025, graduate employment provided by the Government, and the sectoral breakdown of such jobs. He also requested details of the Government’s future plan for employing unemployed graduates, the number of existing teacher vacancies, and whether urgent measures are being taken to fill them, including the proposed course of action. Oral Questions: Second Round – Unemployed Graduates and Bovine Semen Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran raised a supplementary question on the condition of herbal gardens in the Northern Province, noting that although nine gardens covering about 119.78 acres reportedly meet 45 per cent of provincial herbal needs, several are poorly maintained, including the Mullaitivu garden. He attributed the problem to shortages of maintenance and minor staff, also affecting hospitals, and asked whether appointments in 2026 could cover both hospital vacancies and the maintenance or co-management of herbal gardens. Oral Question: Medical Centres Providing Siddha Medicine in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya Districts (Question No. 4) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The Minister acknowledged staff shortages in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani hospitals and centres, attributing them to long gaps in recruitment. He stated that 303 Medical Officers (Ayurveda) had been recruited out of an approved cadre of 304, and that recruitment of nurses, dispensers, attendants and health service assistants was being expedited through the Officials’ Committee on public service recruitments chaired by the Secretary to the Prime Minister. Oral Question: Medical Centres Providing Siddha Medicine in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya Districts (Question No. 4) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran thanked the Minister for recent appointments in indigenous medicine, noting that 36 were allocated to the Northern Province and 29 to the Vanni District, filling key vacancies in Mullaitivu and Mannar. He asked whether the Government could fill additional cadre vacancies in 2026 for health assistants, sanitation workers, physiotherapists and related posts to improve indigenous medicine service delivery in the Northern Province. Oral Question: Medical Centres Providing Siddha Medicine in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya Districts (Question No. 4) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary In response to a parliamentary question, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa listed Ayurveda hospitals and dispensaries in the Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Mannar districts and provided vacancy information for Ayurveda Medical Officers. He stated that recent recruitment has filled the vacancies across the three districts, including 303 new Ayurveda Medical Officer appointments on 03.11.2025, with 41 assigned to the Northern Province. He added that professional deployment has been regularized and that no further action arises. Oral Question: Medical Centres Providing Siddha Medicine in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya Districts (Question No. 4) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development about the long-delayed opening of the Vavuniya Economic Centre, noting that it was proposed in 2015, built in 2018 at Madaguwaiththakulam at a cost of Rs. 263 million, and remains unopened seven years later. He sought details on measures to operationalize it, the timeline for opening, the basis for allocating its 52 stalls, and whether existing wholesale vegetable traders would receive them. Oral Question: Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre (Question No. 1) Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Dr. Elayathamby Srinath welcomed the Budget allocations for the Ministry of Power and Energy and focused on electricity access issues in Batticaloa and other rural areas. He called for assistance schemes to reduce the cost of new connections for poor households, higher support for extension lines, faster provision of transformers and three-phase supply, and an upfront assessment process for SMEs. He also raised CEB staffing shortages in the Eastern Province, requesting priority for local recruitment, and asked that tariff issues for battery-backed solar and delays in rooftop solar approvals be reviewed to support renewable energy uptake and livelihoods. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya JJB AI summary Kanchana Welipitiya defended the Government’s power and energy programme, arguing that stalled infrastructure and energy projects are being restarted and implemented while maintaining public ownership. He said the Ceylon Electricity Board would be restructured into four state-owned companies instead of being privatized, and reiterated the Government’s aim to reduce electricity tariffs by 30 per cent. He cited a new wind power procurement price of US cents 3.77 per unit compared with a previous 8.26 cents, and said future plans include meeting projected electricity demand growth, green hydrogen and ammonia production, transport electrification, and related legislation. He requested support for approving the Ministry’s Head of Expenditure for the coming year. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister outlined the 2026 Energy Ministry estimates, stating that recent CEB Act amendments would restructure the electricity sector into four fully state-owned entities while protecting employee rights and avoiding asset sales. He said a National Electricity Policy, fair pricing framework, smart meter rollout, battery storage procurement, and PPP-based competitive investment processes are intended to improve transparency, system stability, renewable generation, and tariffs. He reported progress toward adding 2,000 MW of solar capacity, including about 800 MW added by October 2025, and cited ongoing wind and battery tenders. On petroleum, he noted that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation had recorded a Rs. 32 billion profit by October. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary The Minister outlined planned reforms in the Labour Ministry, including digitalizing Labour Department services to improve efficiency and compensation processes, while criticizing a previous Cabinet proposal to use space in the Mehewara Piyasa building for commercial entertainment facilities. He linked the Ministry’s work to the 2026 Budget framework, emphasizing fiscal discipline, reducing the deficit to 5.1 percent of GDP, meeting salary, pension and interest obligations, and prioritizing human capital through health and education spending. He rejected Opposition claims on low capital expenditure execution, stating that 2025 had higher execution rates than cited past years, and noted that Rs. 6.4 billion had been allocated to the Labour Ministry, including Rs. 1.2 billion for capital expenditure. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan stated that no competitive examination had been held since 2018 to recruit Management Assistants to the Management Service, limiting employment opportunities for young people. He requested that competitive examinations for Management Service officers be conducted and that attention be given to the issues he raised. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha supported the Budget allocations for State Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, and Labour, arguing that government development programmes are now producing measurable results. He cited completed and ongoing projects in the Matugama Divisional Secretariat area, including decentralized, provincial development, model and rural road projects, and rejected Opposition claims that allocated funds were not being used effectively. He also referred to wage increases for estate workers, plans to recruit about 76,000 public servants through competitive examinations, and government support for local authorities through equipment and institutional strengthening. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah called for boundary disputes among local authorities and Divisional Secretariats in Batticaloa, including Kattankudy, Manmunai Pattu, Koralaipattu Central and Kiran, to be resolved through committees and gazetted, with two new corresponding Pradeshiya Sabhas established. He urged an urgent amendment to Section 2 of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act and suspension of a Registrar General’s circular requiring foreign Muslim spouses to submit affidavits denying religious affiliation to obtain marriage clearance. He also requested the long-pending MN 3 salary/service upgrade for Management Service Officers, early Provincial Council elections now that funds have been allocated, and a mechanism to help Eastern Province local authorities meet salary obligations and continue functioning. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake outlined the 2026 allocations under the Ministry of Labour, including funds for labour law enforcement, worker welfare, occupational safety, and employment-related institutions. He said measures are being taken to improve access to EPF through unified data systems and criticized past political misuse of workers’ funds. He highlighted a Rs. 5,000 million Budget allocation to protect EPF, ETF, and gratuity entitlements of workers in ten loss-making State-owned enterprises, and requested ministerial action to recover long-standing EPF arrears with surcharges. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake said the Government had granted a phased 66 per cent public sector salary increase, which would also raise linked pensions, and argued that pension protections had been secured despite earlier attempts to curtail them. He stated that recruitment freezes since 2020 had caused major staffing shortages in sectors such as teaching, policing and administration, and said the Government would undertake large-scale recruitment to strengthen the public service. He also claimed private sector wages were rising alongside public salaries and linked these measures to the Government’s broader economic recovery efforts and the 2026 Budget. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna questioned whether the Budget provides a concrete remedy for pension anomalies affecting retirees from 2020–2024 and urged that postponed pension enhancements for 2016–2022 retirees be brought forward. She sought clarification on reports that Lanka Sugar Company was exempted from statutory payments, asking whether EPF, ETF and gratuity obligations were affected, and called for lawful settlement of such dues. She also proposed alternatives to unusable public officer vehicle permits, urged timely Provincial Council elections under the old PR system, recommended placing SLICTS under the Digital Ministry to support digitalization, and requested clearer guidance and better resources for Divisional Secretariats. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi said the Budget’s provision to recruit 50,000 public servants is necessary to address shortages in key cadres across central, provincial and local institutions caused by past recruitment freezes and post removals. He rejected allegations of ministerial interference in local bodies, arguing that powers are exercised under existing laws while noting that electoral mechanisms can distort control of administrations and should be corrected. He also stated that the Government is addressing pension arrears and gratuity payments, and urged recognition of progress while emphasizing the need to strengthen efficient local authorities for grassroots development. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi supported the 2026 Budget proposal to raise estate workers’ daily wage from Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,750 through a Rs. 200 company increase and a Rs. 200 Government incentive. She criticized Opposition Members, including Sajith Premadasa, for questioning and allegedly obstructing the increase, and said estate workers in the hill country face difficult working conditions and support the Government’s proposal. She urged that the wage measure proceed and framed it as a key issue for public and private estate workers during the Committee Stage debate on the relevant ministries. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →