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- 25 September 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera seconded Hon. Kabir Hashim’s Motion and argued that CEB restructuring is necessary but is being handled in an opaque manner that risks higher tariffs and employee uncertainty. He called for disclosure of the boards, chairpersons, headquarters, governance structures, staff placement arrangements, and migration plan for the six successor companies, noting that four have already been established and the transition is expected around November. He urged the Government to use competent professional advice, resolve labour concerns, build confidence, and ensure the reforms support renewables, a smart grid, investment, and fair tariffs for households and industry. Adjournment Motion: Ceylon Electricity Board Financial Status and Tariff Reduction Read →
- 25 September 2025 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir supported concessions for tourism under the Import and Export (Control) Act but argued that benefits should reach local landowners, workers, fishing and farming communities rather than only large tourism businesses. He called for better organization of tourist areas such as Arugam Bay and Pasikuda, local sourcing of seafood, improved wages and opportunities for trained hotel-sector workers, and expanded fruit exports including star fruit and Karuthakolumban mangoes. He also urged the Government to release war-affected lands for cultivation, housing and livelihoods, particularly for Tamil-speaking Muslim and Tamil communities. He commended Nintavur schools for winning national Kabaddi titles and requested the Sports or Education Ministry to provide indoor facilities and continued support. Debate Continuation: Vehicle Import Regulations Read →
- 25 September 2025 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera said tourism growth should be viewed as the result of measures across successive governments, after setbacks from the Easter attacks and the pandemic, rather than attributed solely to the current administration. He highlighted continuing difficulties faced by small hotels and tourism operators, including unresolved loan burdens, taxes, electricity costs, water and municipal charges, and VAT, and called for targeted relief and stronger attention from the Tourism Minister. He also urged a proper development plan for Kitulgala water rafting in Kegalle District to support local youth and expand that tourism segment. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Regulations for Vehicle Imports Read →
- 25 September 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar criticised the Government for failing, after one year, to deliver on pledges in its manifesto, citing issues including prices of rice, fuel, electricity and essential goods, tax relief, recruitment targets, graduate employment, social security and pensions, Easter Sunday accountability, repeal or amendment of security and online laws, Provincial Council elections, and teachers’ salary anomalies. He questioned claims about investment, reserves, exports, tourism earnings and economic growth, arguing that the data did not support the Government’s presentation of progress. He also criticised the Government’s position on Palestine and relations with Israel, and urged it to answer these concerns and implement its promises in the coming year. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Regulations for Vehicle Imports Read →
- 25 September 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake briefly reiterated his earlier request to the Labour Minister and Acting Finance Minister to ensure fair interest rates for small and medium-sized enterprises. The remark indicates concern over financing conditions for SMEs, though the intervention was cut off before any further details or proposals were stated. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Regulations for Vehicle Imports Read →
- 25 September 2025 Hon. Muhammad Faizal JJB AI summary Hon. Muhammad Faizal defended the Government’s economic management, citing increased revenue, export earnings, Customs income, port profits, reserves, foreign direct investment, and tourism earnings in 2025. He criticised previous administrations for neglecting export sectors, particularly coconut estates in Puttalam, and said the Government is expanding coconut cultivation and fertilisation across over 500,000 acres. He highlighted Kalpitiya’s tourism potential and said measures are being taken to improve safety, transport, and investor interest, while also supporting anti-drug operations in Puttalam in line with the President’s policy. He further referred to Government programmes on poverty reduction, education, public servant pay increases, and allowances for students and senior citizens. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Regulations for Vehicle Imports Read →
- 25 September 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s decision to abolish the SVAT scheme from 1 October, arguing that it would create cash-flow difficulties, delays and higher costs for exporters, particularly MSMEs, and urged reconsideration or deferral until Inland Revenue digitalization is complete. He also raised concerns about future external debt servicing from 2028, the scope of Aswesuma as a poverty-relief programme, and the need for broader measures covering investment, production, savings and exports. He further criticized the Speaker’s handling of the Opposition’s attempt to move a No-Confidence Motion against a Deputy Minister, citing parliamentary reports, the Attorney-General’s position and Westminster and Indian precedents to argue there is no legal impediment to proceeding. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Regulations for Vehicle Imports Read →
- 25 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development JJB AI summary Loans are governed by established regulations and were described as outside the scope of the main question. The Minister said the figure of 513 affected employees was incorrect and attributed the issue to unauthorised salary increments, noting that Circular 01/2025 regularises salaries in three phases so that by 1 January 2026 no employee will be negatively affected. He added that disparities affecting 77 identified employees will be resolved, while any interim relief must await the court’s determination because the matter is pending before it. Oral Answers to Questions Read →
- 25 September 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned why the matter involving 513 staff had reached court and urged the authorities to meet the trade unions and resolve it without further litigation. He also raised concern that the Employees’ Trust Fund had halted housing loans of up to Rs. 2 million against members’ balances, saying plantation workers depended on this facility for housing repairs, and asked why the new Chairman and Board had stopped it islandwide. Oral Answers to Questions Read →
- 25 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development JJB AI summary The Acting Minister said the ETF salary issue stems from irregular salary increases granted in 2006, 2013 and 2015 contrary to circulars, which created disparities. He stated that Management Services Circular 01/2025 requires verification of salary conversions since 2006 and that the ETF Board has regularised salaries accordingly, with the increase paid from May 2025. He said there has been no salary cut, only the removal of unauthorised increments or allowances, and noted that the matter is before court in CA/WRIT/709/2025 following union protests. Oral Answers to Questions Read →
- 25 September 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned the Minister on why the matter had gone to the Court of Appeal and why employees had protested if there was no issue regarding ETF Board salary decisions. He argued that the Ministry of Finance representatives and the Board should be accountable for denying Budget-funded salary increases to about 523 employees, despite a recommendation from the Commissioner General of Labour. He tabled documents from the Labour Commissioner General and the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission in support of his claim. Oral Answers to Questions Read →
- 24 September 2025 Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB AI summary Hon. Vijitha Herath outlined the procedures and support measures for sending Sri Lankan workers to Japan and Korea under existing Memoranda of Understanding. For Japan, he referred to residential training, Japanese language instruction, public notices on skill tests, use of licensed foreign employment agencies, district-level language courses, fee reimbursements and information services. For Korea, he described the transparent recruitment process under the E-9 visa scheme, including language, proficiency and skill tests, verification, medical and police clearances, registration in HRD Korea’s system, and pre-departure residential and practical training. Questions on Defence Advisers, Migrant Workers, and Employment Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB AI summary Minister Vijitha Herath provided detailed figures on foreign employment and remittances from 2020 to August 2025, stating that 1,304,545 workers went abroad during that period and that remittances ranged from USD 3,789.4 million in 2022 to USD 7,103.9 million in 2020. He identified Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Japan among countries with the highest registered job orders, while noting that Sri Lankan workers most prefer Israel, South Korea, Japan and Romania. He outlined government measures including MoUs and agreements with South Korea, Israel and Japan, discussions with Romania, pre-departure training, job fairs, social media publicity, and Job Bank access. He said South Korea, Israel and Japan offer higher-wage markets with fewer labour issues, and described selection, skills testing, language training, and pre-departure procedures used to send skilled workers to those countries. Questions on Defence Advisers, Migrant Workers, and Employment Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism for detailed annual data since 2020 on Sri Lankan migrant worker departures, remittances, and their share of Gross National Product. He also sought information on countries with high demand and better labour-market benefits for Sri Lankan workers, the Government’s programme to meet that demand, annual deployment numbers to those countries, and measures to send highly skilled Sri Lankan workers abroad. Questions on Defence Advisers, Migrant Workers, and Employment Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda argued that schools and families need lawful space for firm, measured corrective discipline, while stressing that abuse and harmful conduct, including incidents linked to tuition classes, must be taken seriously. He then raised constituency concerns, urging the Government to strengthen the Cinnamon Development Department’s regional and field capacity to support cinnamon growers in Galle. He also requested the Ministers of Sports and Education to resolve the job security, classification, assessment, and career progression issues faced by school sports coaches. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns under Standing Order 27(2) over the abolition of the Simplified VAT system from 1 October 2025, arguing that it would create serious cash-flow, refund delay, and competitiveness problems for exporters, SMEs, deemed exporters, and related sectors such as apparel, tea, rubber, logistics and shipping. Citing warnings from export industry representatives, he said the change would replace immediate VAT relief with refunds delayed by 105–180 days and effectively require exporters to finance the Treasury interest-free. He asked the Minister of Finance what measures, safeguards, interim digital mechanisms, and transitional support would prevent insolvency and protect the Government’s stated target of increasing exports to US$36 billion by 2030. He also sought the projected fiscal benefit to the Treasury and clarification to ensure entrepôt trading and related transport sectors are not adversely brought within SVAT-related changes. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Executive Presidency and SVAT Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa thanked contributors to the strengthening of NBRI and recalled support given to victims of the Saammasara Kanda landslide, before urging united legal and diplomatic action over the X-Press Pearl disaster and compensation for affected fishing communities. He highlighted a court ruling on disability access in railway station upgrades and called for all public construction to comply with accessibility standards. He also requested the urgent resumption of the stalled wildlife underpass between Ambanpola and Galgamuwa and urged implementation of the mediated settlement to absorb 16,600 school-based Development Officers into the teacher service. On power-sector restructuring, he said reforms should proceed while protecting the jobs of 23,000 CEB workers and called on the Government to honour commitments made while in Opposition. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Bill to give the National Building Research Organization a statutory basis, arguing that previous governments had allowed it to operate without the necessary legal framework. He defended the Government’s first-year record, citing recent narcotics seizures and action against organized crime, and accused former administrations of enabling criminality and attempting CEB privatization. He said the current Government had reinstated interdicted CEB workers, halted privatization, and would keep the new electricity companies fully state-owned. He also stated that Development Officers could not be directly absorbed into the teacher service outside the lawful examination process, while promising fair priority for school-based DOs in addressing teacher vacancies. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Dr. Najith Indika said the Government was advancing long-delayed legislation, including the NBRI Bill, as part of institutional reforms in its first year. He rejected claims that the new electricity reforms would privatize or fragment the CEB, stating that full State ownership would be retained, job losses would not occur except through voluntary retirement, and reforms aimed to improve efficiency, ensure adequate supply by 2028 and reduce tariffs by 30 per cent. He also argued that current public concern over narcotics reflected unprecedented drug seizures and enforcement activity, including in areas such as Hambantota and Colombo North, and said the Government’s priority was to defeat the drug menace while continuing development and relief programmes. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa welcomed the NBRI Bill, noting the institution’s long existence since 1984 and the delayed move to legislate, and called for a long-term plan addressing climate, geophysical, maritime and aviation-related risks through international collaboration. He criticised the Government’s first year in office, arguing that it should focus on delivering promised benefits rather than blaming previous governments, and cited official statistics on declines in agriculture, fisheries and rubber while questioning import decisions affecting farmers. He also raised concerns over the Electricity Act, treatment of protesting graduates and Development Officers, job losses, factory closures, and pressure on the media, urging the Government to address the problems of workers and affected communities. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →