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- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana asked what measures the Ministry of Public Security would take regarding Civil Security Department personnel from the North Central and Eastern Provinces who are reassigned after the war to “special duties” in Colombo and other areas. He said such deployments, including sanitation work and duties at religious sites, create hardship because many personnel expected to serve near home, depend on farming, lack accommodation when transferred, and incur additional expenses while their fields are neglected. Oral Question: Civil Security Department – Annual Income and Expenditure (Q.1113/2025) Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary The Minister said the Budget has increased gatekeepers’ monthly allowance from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 15,000, while noting that unsafe crossings require a longer-term programme beyond allowances. He stated that the Government plans to regularize about 9,800 to 10,000 non-permanent or irregular public-sector employees, but not through blanket absorption. He explained that minimum educational qualifications will apply, citing RDA workers and gatekeepers as examples, and said some pending workers may become eligible after sitting the next G.C.E. O/L examination. Oral Question: Vavuniya-Kilinochchi Section of Northern Railway Line – Dilapidated Railway Crossings (Q.1085/2025) Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam emphasized the need for community consultation in developing fast train services. He welcomed the Budget proposal doubling temporary railway gatekeepers’ pay from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 15,000, but noted their longstanding difficulties under the Police Department and asked whether the remaining gatekeepers and other temporary or volunteer railway workers could be brought under the Railways Ministry and regularized. Oral Question: Vavuniya-Kilinochchi Section of Northern Railway Line – Dilapidated Railway Crossings (Q.1085/2025) Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary The Minister presented the 2023 Annual Report of the National Institute of Labour Studies to Parliament. He proposed that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour and Human Resource Development, and the motion was agreed to. Auditor-General's Annual Report and Reports Tabling Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim raised an adjournment motion asking the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government to intervene after the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Commissioner, acting on the Governor’s directive, suspended Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha-approved projects worth Rs. 19 million for 47 rural roads and other local development works. He argued that the suspension of funds raised through local taxes undermines the Pradeshiya Sabha’s legal authority and causes injustice to taxpayers. He also sought approval for the recruitment of 10 health workers, saying delays have affected the management of about 10 metric tons of daily garbage despite the council’s stated financial capacity. Adjournment Motion: Suspension of Development Projects Approved by Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage defended the 2026 Budget as setting a broader national economic and social vision beyond short-term price measures. He said implementation delays in areas such as Gampaha were due to shortages of technical officers, vehicles and functioning public buildings, and supported Budget proposals for public service recruitment, rehabilitation of facilities, transport provision and digitalization. He also rejected Opposition claims on unspent agriculture funds and rising poverty, stating that concessional loan schemes are being implemented and that World Bank data shows poverty declining from 2024. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel said the 2025 Budget provides a plantation workers’ wage increase without the pre-Budget protests seen in previous years, with Rs. 200 from the Government and Rs. 200 from companies based on attendance, as part of efforts to reach a Rs. 1,750 daily wage through negotiations. She rejected Opposition claims that infrastructure and housing in the hill country were neglected, citing road carpeting projects in Badulla, Haputale, Bandarawela–Poonagala and Thampetenna, and housing work in Poonagala. She argued that the National People’s Power Government is using public funds for the welfare of Upcountry communities and addressing longstanding needs. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Jeevan Thondaman stated that estate workers would attend work if companies provided 25 days of employment, addressing the Minister directly. He implied that the issue lies with the availability of sufficient work days rather than workers’ willingness to work. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that after years of disagreement between unions and planters over a Collective Agreement, the Wages Board settled on a daily wage of Rs. 1,350 for plantation workers. He said Rs. 200 would be added to the basic wage and a further Rs. 200 provided by the Government, amounting to an additional Rs. 10,000 per month for 25 working days. He called for collective action if plantation workers do not receive the promised increase. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman stated that estate wage increases can be implemented not only through Collective Agreements, but also through the Wages Board and Parliament, as done previously. He expressed support for the Minister’s efforts to secure the increase and said he would back action against companies if they obstructed it, while rejecting calls for his resignation over the issue. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe clarified the Government’s position on plantation workers’ wages, noting that waiting for the existing Collective Agreement process would delay any increase by about one and a half years. He said that, following discussions with planters’ associations and in line with the President’s Budget commitment, Rs. 200 will be added to the basic salary and a further Rs. 200 paid as an attendance incentive, with the Government reimbursing the latter amount. He stated that the measure is funded in the Budget and will take effect from 1 January after the Budget is passed, amounting to an additional Rs. 10,000 per month for workers completing 25 days of work. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman urged the Government to closely monitor plantation companies over wage commitments, warning that firms may reduce workdays or impose conditions while appearing to grant increases. He argued that repeated daily wage hikes are not a sustainable solution and called for a shift to productivity-linked income models, including pilot outgrower or revenue-sharing schemes, while addressing the future of JEDB and SPC. He questioned the sustainability of the Rs. 5,000 million allocation for a Rs. 200 attendance incentive, asked that it be tabled in Parliament at the final stage, and suggested legislating an annual Rs. 200 increase if the policy is to continue. He also highlighted infrastructure gaps in Upcountry schools, hospitals, roads and housing, and questioned the allocation and relocation of housing resources intended for Nuwara Eliya. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman welcomed the Budget proposal allocating Rs. 5,000 million for plantation worker wage increases but sought clarity on whether the proposed Rs. 200 is an attendance incentive or an increase to the basic daily wage. He questioned what discussions had been held with plantation companies, whether they had agreed, and urged that any basic wage increase be formalized through a Gazette amendment from Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,550. He rejected calls for his resignation for raising these questions, citing past unfulfilled promises on plantation wages, housing, and land titles. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi defended the 2026 Budget as part of the NPP Government’s planned economic programme, contrasting it with previous administrations which he said lacked strategy and led the country to bankruptcy. He highlighted allocations to strengthen the public service, including funding for vehicles and machinery, digital access, arrears clearance, public servant property loans, allowances for teachers, principals and railway gatekeepers, and support for estate worker wages. He emphasized the restoration of full pension rights for public servants recruited after 2016 and noted ongoing action on pension anomalies and the planned commission on public sector pay and pensions. He also cited salary increases, higher festival advances, and regularisation of temporary and contract workers as key Budget measures. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi defended the President’s Budget, arguing that Opposition criticism ignored clarifications already given and failed to recognize the circumstances under which the first Budgets were prepared. He said implementation of the 2025 Budget was progressing better than in previous years, with district-level progress expected around 70–80 per cent, and described the 2026 Budget as continuing that work. He highlighted proposed measures including public-sector digitisation, recruitment of 75,000 public servants, support for casual workers, and interest support for senior citizens’ deposits, framing the Budget as aimed at stabilising institutions and improving livelihoods. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe clarified, on a Point of Order, the Government’s role in increasing plantation workers’ daily wages despite an existing collective agreement. He stated that employers had agreed to add Rs. 200 to the daily wage after Government-facilitated discussions with stakeholders, and that the Government would provide a further Rs. 200 for 14 days, not 28 days. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Jeevan Thondaman sought to question the Minister on whether the basic wage would be increased and, if so, by what amount. He objected to interruptions and asked that he be allowed to finish his question, referring to the time and courtesy given to another speaker. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi welcomed the 2026 Budget, emphasizing its provisions for estate workers, including an increase in the daily wage from Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,750 from January. She said the increase was achieved through Rs. 200 from plantation companies and Rs. 200 from the Government, supported by a Rs. 5,000 million allocation as a daily attendance incentive. She described the inclusion of estate wage, housing, infrastructure, and land issues in the Budget as a historic development for hill-country estate communities and criticized those who had questioned the Government’s ability to deliver such an increase. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the Government had moved from crisis conditions to fiscal and economic stabilization, citing improved growth, unemployment, exports, remittances, tourism earnings, revenue, and primary balance figures. He argued that anti-corruption and rule-of-law measures, including amendments to the National Audit Act and legislation on recovery of proceeds of crime with a dedicated Police unit, were central to restoring investor confidence and preventing past abuses. He also defended the Government’s capacity to meet future external debt service obligations, including in 2028, and outlined Budget proposals on disability allowances, accessibility improvements, tourism growth, rural poverty reduction, digitalization, and initial funding for a new National Cardiac Unit. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera defended the Government’s second Budget, arguing that fiscal discipline has reduced the deficit from recent highs and that 2025 revenue is expected to exceed the approved target for the first time in recent years. He attributed improved performance to stronger revenue administration, debt and cash management, and policy coherence, noting gains in the primary balance, exports, remittances, tourism, FDI facilitation, and capital expenditure execution. He highlighted tax relief through a higher personal income tax threshold, funding for public sector salary increases and property loans, and the restart of major infrastructure projects, and urged Parliament to approve the Budget. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →