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- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa criticized the President’s economic address as lacking a data-driven roadmap on growth, exports, poverty reduction, FDI attraction and debt repayment capacity, especially given expected external debt payments of about US$ 5.5 billion annually from 2028. He welcomed the reduction of US tariffs on Sri Lankan goods to 20 per cent but urged further negotiations toward below 15 per cent, led by trade economists and negotiators. He demanded transparency on any “trade and security” understandings with the United States, including whether SOFA or ACSA were discussed, and called for the Foreign Minister to brief Parliament. He also argued that poverty, unemployment, factory closures and high living costs show that claimed macroeconomic gains are not translating into relief for the public. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe argued that the Government has moved Sri Lanka from stabilization toward growth, citing improved fiscal performance, external stability, export growth, manufacturing expansion, private credit growth, and rising investor interest under the IMF programme. He rejected Opposition claims about the NPP’s economic management and said current appointments and policies reflect rule of law, meritocracy, digitization, better governance, and efforts to expand market access while improving domestic competitiveness. He stated that social indicators such as poverty, employment, and real wages will take longer to improve, and called on the Opposition to support legal reforms, changes in political culture, and accountability for misuse of public funds rather than making statements that could deter investors. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan outlined Sri Lanka’s recovery from the 2022 economic crisis, citing improved exports, remittances, reserves, inflation, debt levels, employment and GDP growth in 2023-2025 under reform and IMF-supported stabilization measures. He warned that trade deficits, domestic imbalances, possible US tariffs on apparel, skill shortages and brain drain could threaten the recovery. He called for stronger export contributions from the Northern and Eastern Provinces, export diversification, reduced reliance on narrow markets, restructuring of loss-making SOEs, promotion of PPPs, and stronger social protection. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka - President, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka said Sri Lanka’s 44 per cent U.S. tariff was derived from the bilateral trade imbalance formula rather than domestic policy failure, and that negotiations by a government team had reduced it by about 20 percentage points, though no final agreement had been signed. He outlined concurrent economic pressures from the IMF programme timetable, the U.S. tariff issue, and the possible loss of GSP Plus in 2027, stating that IMF reviews had proceeded with tax adjustments and tranche approvals. He defended electricity and fuel pricing as cost-based and formula-driven, with targeted subsidies where needed, and said discussions with the EU on GSP Plus involved repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act, amending the Online Safety Act, and investigating disappearances and crimes. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon seconded the Adjournment Motion and argued that Sri Lanka’s economy has shown recovery since the formation of the new government in late 2024, citing improved GDP growth, lower unemployment, near-zero inflation, higher savings, credit growth, and equity market activity. He said the external sector was strengthening through a higher current account surplus, increased exports and services receipts, gradual normalization of vehicle imports, and a managed exchange rate around Rs. 300 per US dollar. He also noted that US tariffs had been reduced from 44% to 20%, and stated that fiscal stability was being restored through improved revenue collection while continuing spending on social sectors, wages, pensions, and priority infrastructure. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that recruitment rules differ across public services and, in the case of teachers, are governed by the relevant Service Minute. She said the Government cannot provide a blanket position on recruitment procedures, but noted that due to long-standing issues and court cases concerning Development Officer and teacher recruitment, a proposal has been submitted to the courts to permit recruitment without an age limit. Ministry Statements: Gampaha Wickramarachchi University and Teacher Recruitment Procedures Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna asked the Prime Minister whether future government recruitment could prioritize seniority for graduates and other pass-outs, similar to medical appointments, rather than requiring a general knowledge examination. He argued that older candidates, despite having completed degrees and being senior in their cohorts, can fail such exams and lose appointment opportunities. Ministry Statements: Gampaha Wickramarachchi University and Teacher Recruitment Procedures Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya — Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education AI summary The Prime Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question by outlining Cabinet-based recruitment of unemployed graduates as Development Officers in 2020-2022 and noting that information relating to alleged 2014 action was unavailable from the Ministry of Public Administration. She stated that about 71 per cent of relevant 2014 A/L intakes at northern and eastern universities had completed degrees by end-2020 and could apply where eligible, but appointments had not been granted under that route. She reported 404 teacher vacancies in the Northern Province as at 30 June 2025 and detailed recent provincial teacher recruitments, while noting that approval to recruit for 1,758 posts out of 3,516 vacancies had been temporarily suspended under Cabinet decisions of 4 June 2025. Ministry Statements: Gampaha Wickramarachchi University and Teacher Recruitment Procedures Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera (on behalf of the Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy) JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government whether the Government is aware of graduates serving in PL 1, PL 2 and PL 3 salary scales under Public Administration Circular 06/2006, and requested their numbers. He further sought details on plans to place such underemployed graduates in suitable posts, the methodology for doing so, solutions for those over 40 years of age, and whether promotions based on qualifications without examinations exist or will be introduced. Oral Question: Graduate Officers in Government Service (Q.11/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said specialist cadre revisions are being carried out with the PGIM and relevant stakeholders, taking into account service needs and training output. He stated that barriers to recalling specialists who had left the country have been eased, some have already returned to fill gaps, and remaining issues are being addressed. He invited specialists abroad to return, saying the Government would assist with practical matters such as children’s schooling and transport according to postings to strengthen the health system and improve Sri Lanka’s Universal Health Coverage standing. Oral Question: Specialist Doctors' Services in Sri Lanka (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera raised concerns that Senior Registrars briefly posted to provide specialist services often leave soon after for overseas training, causing service disruptions. He asked the Government to increase selections for specialist training through an agreed approach with the PGIM and relevant Colleges, and to create legal and procedural pathways for Sri Lankan doctors overseas who wish to return. Oral Question: Specialist Doctors' Services in Sri Lanka (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Adequate specialist staffing was identified as a priority, with the return rate of doctors trained overseas said to have improved from about 40 per cent in September 2024 to around 65–70 per cent. Measures are being discussed with specialist associations to improve retention in peripheral and district hospitals, including salaries, allowances, transport, and facility upgrades. The cadre is also being revised upward, with continued efforts to retain existing specialists and produce new ones over time. Oral Question: Specialist Doctors' Services in Sri Lanka (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that, under Department of Management Services guidance, making a degree class a recruitment requirement would require corresponding salary-grade alignment. She said discussions are ongoing, recommendations have been made, and approval is still pending. She clarified that teaching experience has not been removed as a criterion and affirmed the need to maintain quality. Oral Question: Bachelor's Degree Requirement for NIE Recruitment (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the basic salary of Public Health Midwives had already been increased, resulting in a higher combined allowance, with further increases expected in future. He said related salary issues would be addressed through future public sector salary revisions and that one allowance had already been increased with the recent salary increase. Oral Question: Combined Allowance for Public Health Midwives (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri referred to a police raid in Dimbulagala where ammonia fertilizer allegedly was being repackaged and sold as urea with false nitrogen content, linking it to farmer complaints over poor yields in Polonnaruwa. He questioned the adequacy of the Rs. 5,000 fine for such offences and asked what redress would be provided for the wider economic and social losses to farmers, rice mills, employment, and rice supply. He also referenced the 2021 Qingdao Seawin organic fertilizer procurement and the reported US$ 6.9 million compensation payment. Oral Question: Regulation of Fertilizer Act - Maximum Penalty on Fake Fertilizer Manufacturers (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. M. S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M. S. Uthumalebbe asked whether the Ministry would provide interim livelihood support for four Jaffna District fishermen who were washed ashore in India while deep sea fishing and later repatriated following representations. He noted that the affected fishermen and their damaged boats had not yet received compensation. Oral Question: E.L. Irfan and K.S. Nishfar - Compensation for Boat Accident (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister stated that compensation for affected or deceased fishermen has been increased from Rs. 200,000 to Rs. 1,000,000. He explained that Sri Lankan boats detained in Tamil Nadu, including Nagapattinam, are held by Indian authorities as case properties pending legal proceedings, and that the Government is pursuing their release through the Indian Consulate and dialogue. He added that compensation will be provided where released boats are found to be damaged. Oral Question: E.L. Irfan and K.S. Nishfar - Compensation for Boat Accident (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. M. S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M. S. Uthumalebbe acknowledged ministerial efforts to repatriate a fisherman and initiate compensation for a deceased fisherman’s family. He asked what compensation is payable when fishermen die at sea and requested arrangements to recover boats moored in Nagapattinam for several months, return them to owners, and compensate affected fishermen. Oral Question: E.L. Irfan and K.S. Nishfar - Compensation for Boat Accident (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna defended the Government’s energy and labour policies, arguing that it is ending corruption, accelerating development, and making structural changes to increase electricity generation and improve the CEB’s efficiency. He contrasted current wage increases with past treatment of public servants and workers, presenting the Government as protecting workers’ rights. He also supported regulations under the Tea (Export Duty and Control) Act to levy Rs. 3 per kilogram of exported tea, with proceeds credited to the Sri Lanka Tea Board for fertilizer support, cultivation promotion, and market development. He said the Government aims to restore and modernize the tea industry, including the standing of “Ceylon Tea,” and requested support for the amendments and regulations. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera argued that decisions on CEB staffing should be based on a formal human resource audit and called for a collective agreement to safeguard employees’ jobs, benefits, and any voluntary retirement terms before reforms proceed. He criticised the Electricity Bill for inadequate consumer protections and for classifying LTL Holdings as a transmission company despite its domestic role in generation and manufacturing, urging the Government to bring amendments to correct these issues. He said the Opposition would support reforms that promote smart grids, renewable energy, lower tariffs, and investment, but could not vote for the Bill in its current form. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →