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- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake supported the Bill to regularize the National Building Research Organisation, noting its long role in disaster management and its importance in landslide-prone districts such as Badulla and Nuwara Eliya. He urged the Government to resolve issues arising from the restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board through discussions with unions and the President, while also addressing the grievances of Development Officers and long-serving Police Sergeants awaiting promotion. He alleged past misconduct relating to CEB manpower workers and tabled a document alleging a Rs. 28 million financial fraud at the Sri Lanka Ayurvedic Drugs Corporation, requesting an investigation. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister supported the Bill to establish the National Building Research Institute, arguing that it gives a long-needed legal basis to an institution responsible for landslide risk mapping, early warnings, building safety assessments, construction criteria in hazardous areas, and related public safety functions. He contrasted this with past laws he said were used to consolidate power or benefit rulers, stating that the Government’s task is to repeal such laws while enacting necessary public-interest legislation. He also addressed unrest among CEB workers, saying the new electricity sector law keeps five successor companies fully state-owned, preserves employee rights and benefits, and already addresses many union demands, while rejecting demands he described as financially excessive or political. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised unemployment, particularly among educated youth and graduates, as a national economic and social concern. He asked the Government to provide current unemployment figures disaggregated by education level, state whether it accepts the social risks of unemployment, and outline short-, medium- and long-term measures and unemployment targets for 2025-2027. He also sought a timeline for fulfilling the Government’s pledge to provide jobs to 35,000 unemployed graduates, including placements in teaching, STEM, and revenue-related services, noting reported vacancies in the IT sector and the potential absorption of development officers into the teaching cadre. Oral Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Unemployment and Vehicle Emission Testing Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Acting Minister of Digital Economy JJB AI summary Acting Minister Eranga Weeraratne, on behalf of the Minister of Digital Economy, provided figures on Sri Lanka Telecom’s workforce, vacancies, and profits in response to a parliamentary question. He stated that SLT has 5,898 employees, 96 identified external vacancies, and recorded 2024 profits of LKR 3,120 million at group level and LKR 2,113 million at company level. He also outlined debt recovery measures, including external collection agents, Mediation Boards, letters of demand, and legal or writ action depending on arrears and location. Oral Question Q.9/2025: Sri Lanka Telecom Employment Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna said the issue concerning a specific group of principals in the North arises because they were not recruited under the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service procedure, leaving them outside standard transfer and allowance arrangements applicable to SLPS principals. He noted that only mutual transfers within the same category are currently possible, limiting options, and stated that the matter would be taken up with stakeholders and referred to the Education Council once it is established. Oral Question Q.6/2025: Principals' Recruitment and Confirmation Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama questioned the Land Reform Commission’s policy of granting 10- or 20-perch plots to employees with five years’ service, noting the high market value of such land at “Ratalankawa.” He asked whether any special risk or justification warranted this benefit for LRC employees compared with other public sector employees, and whether the policy would be reconsidered or extended to departments such as Forest, Wildlife, Railways, and Divisional Secretariats. Oral Question Q.4/2025: Ratalankawa Land - Land Reform Commission Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M.S. Uthumalebbe raised the case of four Point Pedro fishermen who, after departing with Coast Guard clearance on 07.07.2024, suffered engine failure, drifted at sea, and were ultimately rescued by Indian fishermen before returning after 194 days. He noted that local fishermen’s representatives had alerted Fisheries officials and offered to cover fuel costs for a search, and that over Rs. 300,000 was later spent to bring the fishermen back from India. He asked whether the Government would establish a special immediate rescue protocol for fishermen who go missing or face natural disasters at sea. Oral Question Q.3/2025: Fishermen Compensation Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar JJB AI summary Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar responded to a question on assistance for four affected fishermen, stating that compensation for damaged boats and equipment could be examined if the details were clearly provided. He noted that fishermen enrolled in relevant insurance schemes may be eligible for benefits of Rs. 1 million, Rs. 1.5 million, or Rs. 2 million, and asked for accurate written details to consider any further relief through the Ministry. Oral Question Q.3/2025: Fishermen Compensation Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M.S. Uthumalebbe asked whether the Ministry would compensate four Point Pedro fishermen for reported losses totalling Rs. 3.1 million, including damage to an engine boat, nets, gear and GPS equipment. He also requested details on the amount each fisherman would receive, noting that insurance coverage may differ among them. Oral Question Q.3/2025: Fishermen Compensation Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Four fishermen who went missing after leaving Point Pedro in July 2024 were rescued by Indian fishermen, detained by Indian authorities, and repatriated to Sri Lanka on 25 February 2025 through the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources at a cost of Rs. 344,424. The Minister stated that no compensation was paid because they returned safely, noting that government compensation applies to deaths from natural disasters while fishing, with separate insurance and foreign-vessel collision compensation mechanisms available in relevant cases. Oral Question Q.3/2025: Fishermen Compensation Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe asked the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources whether the Ministry was aware that fishermen M.F. Mustakeen, N. Gunapalasingam, A. Radha Krishnan and Premasiri, who departed from Vedithalthivu for deep sea fishing on 7 July 2024, were returned to Sri Lanka from India after 194 days. The question sought clarification in the context of compensation for the affected fishermen. Oral Question Q.3/2025: Fishermen Compensation Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the feasibility and sustainability of increasing Sri Lanka’s official reserves from US$6.1 billion in August 2025 to the IMF EFF target of US$7.2 billion by December 2025. He asked the Minister of Finance to clarify whether the reserve build-up would come from durable inflows such as exports, remittances, tourism and FDI, or from borrowing, swaps, IMF tranches, import compression, higher interest rates, or short-term portfolio inflows. He also sought transparency on gross versus net usable reserves, related liabilities and repayment risks for 2026-2027, including implications for ISB holders and macro-linked bonds, and asked what contingency plans exist if the target is not met. Questions by Private Notice: Issues in Education and Higher Education Sectors (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition questioned why Development Officers attached to schools cannot be absorbed into the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service, citing precedent for absorbing trainee graduates into the service. He alleged that the Government had broken promises made while in Opposition and sought to table a Cabinet memorandum by the Prime Minister in support of his point. Questions by Private Notice: Issues in Education and Higher Education Sectors (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about teacher shortages, inadequate university infrastructure, and their impact on students’ rights, degree quality, and future employment. He requested a categorized report on teacher vacancies in National and Provincial schools and a timeframe for filling them. He also asked about appointments for Dharmacharya-qualified candidates who passed the 2019 examination, including whether petitions before the Public Petitions Committee would receive priority. He further questioned why School Development Officers who have been teaching for several years have not been absorbed into the teaching service under previously proposed conditions, citing precedents and their service during the COVID-19 period. Questions by Private Notice: Issues in Education and Higher Education Sectors (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara JJB AI summary Eranga Gunasekara said the National Youth Services Council had been misused for political patronage and that alleged irregularities would be systematically investigated with legal action pursued through the relevant legal mechanisms. He stated that institutions under the National Youth Services Council and National Youth Corps had sometimes been established on political rather than needs-based grounds, and said the Government would review and reorganize them to better serve youth across the country. Oral Question: National Youth Services Council Objectives (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath asked the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to provide details on the establishment, objectives, affiliated institutions, and training centres of the National Youth Services Council, including whether those centres are operational. He also sought information on building construction projects commenced between 2020 and 2024 under the Council, whether any remain incomplete, and what action will be taken regarding them. Oral Question: National Youth Services Council Objectives (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Asked what measures the Government has taken to implement the National People’s Power policy commitment to provide financial facilities to small-scale entrepreneurs and investors through co-operative societies and rural banks. Oral Question: Co-operative Development Functions (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.-H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government AI summary The Minister responded to questions from Hon. Rasamanickam on public-sector graduate recruitment and Provincial Council vacancies. He said recruitment under the Government’s 35,000 graduate employment programme is being reviewed by a committee chaired by the Prime Minister’s Secretary, with appointments to island-wide, education, departmental, authority and Provincial Council posts to follow relevant procedures. He reported that about 1,000 recruitments have already been made under his Ministry, approval has been obtained for nearly another 1,000, and Provincial Councils had 61,835 vacancies out of an approved cadre of 463,369 as at 30 June 2025. He added that preliminary steps for Provincial Council recruitments have begun, the absence of elected Councils is not an impediment, and elections will be addressed in due course. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the Government on its manifesto pledge to create 35,000 graduate job opportunities, including STEM and teacher appointments, asking how many have been provided and why delays continue. He cited protests by Development Officers and unfulfilled promises to groups including Dengue Prevention Assistants, railway gate watchers, Field Mosquito Control Assistants and Bachelor of Education graduates, particularly highlighting unemployment in the North and East. He also asked for vacancy figures in Provincial Council ministries and sought a definite timeline for Provincial Council elections, raising concern that delimitation may be used to delay the restoration of council powers and related recruitments. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that many young women hesitate to have children due to concerns about their future lives and careers. He said motherhood should be encouraged and supported more strongly, acknowledging its unique role and the need to address career-related barriers to childbirth. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →