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- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana supported reform of the electricity and wider energy sector, arguing that the 1969 Ceylon Electricity Board framework no longer meets current national needs and must be updated as part of broader state reforms. He said the Bill aims to reduce electricity costs and tariffs, improve rural and island power supply, retain technical expertise, and modernize generation and distribution without harming workers. He rejected Opposition criticism, blamed past governments for CEB losses and staffing problems, and stated that the Government would protect employees through job security, mobility among state companies, and voluntary retirement options. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Arkam Ilyas JJB AI summary Hon. Arkam Ilyas supported the electricity sector amendment, arguing that it would improve service quality, introduce competition, protect consumers, and maintain 100 percent state ownership while safeguarding CEB employees’ jobs and allowances. He said the Bill addresses supply reliability issues, enables consumer choice among licensed providers, and creates scope for competitive generation and overseas opportunities for state-linked power entities. He also criticized past emergency power purchases as costly, called for stricter regulation of such procurement, and urged a review of overly expensive technical standards to avoid waste. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika defended the Government’s electricity sector amendment as a planned restructuring measure consistent with its pre-election commitment to reduce tariffs systematically and protect national energy interests. He said the Bill preserves 100 per cent State ownership, removes the earlier model allowing partial private sale of entities, and still recognises existing private participation, especially in renewables. He rejected claims of job losses, stating that current CEB employees would be protected and contrasting this with a pre-election circular proposing major staff reductions. He also noted the previous day’s parliamentary vote concerning the former IGP, recording that 177 Members voted in favour and none against. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera supported the amendment to the 2024 electricity sector legislation, arguing that it restructures the sector into five fully State-owned entities instead of the earlier model that allowed wider private ownership. He said the amendment protects employees’ jobs, salaries, allowances, pensions and EPF arrangements, while retaining energy as a strategically important public asset. He rejected concerns over PUCSL’s role, stating that “consultation” does not amount to approval and that tariff processes already involve public and institutional input. He argued that the reforms aim to improve reliability, transparency, efficiency, competition and ultimately reduce electricity tariffs. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Geetha Herath argued that reforms to the power sector are necessary to reduce excessive costs, improve efficiency, ensure reliable supply, and lower tariffs, noting that the Ceylon Electricity Board’s 1969 framework is outdated. She stated that the proposed Amendments replace the 2024 model, which she said risked privatization through 12 companies, with four State-owned companies covering generation, transmission, distribution and system control. She said private investment would be leveraged where needed, particularly in distribution, while ownership remains with the State. She also assured that the rights of about 23,000 employees, including jobs, pensions, EPF/ETF benefits, consent-based assignments and voluntary retirement options, would be protected. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa criticized the Government’s handling of the Hambantota LNG power plant project, arguing that it weakened energy security while now calling for growth and private investment. He said the PUCSL’s independence would be compromised if it followed Finance Ministry instructions, and urged the Government to focus on adding new generation capacity. He rejected claims that CEB losses were due to excess employees, stating it had been profitable despite higher staffing, and referred to earlier opposition to Minister Kanchana’s electricity sector Bill. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that the 2025 Electricity Amendment Bill fails to ensure affordable, uninterrupted supply or promote clean energy, and instead weakens consumer protection, regulation, worker safeguards, and investor confidence. He accused the Government of undermining renewables while favouring thermal generation, citing the Sahasdanavi LNG project and PUCSL concerns over allegedly incorrect cost assumptions used for approval. He also criticized reductions in rooftop solar tariffs and said these had harmed solar businesses, jobs, and loan repayments, while accusing the Government of breaking election promises to reduce electricity bills due to adherence to IMF-linked tariff policy. He stated that the Opposition would prioritize and fully implement renewable energy in national policy. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi supported the Second Reading of the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill, presenting it as a corrective transitional step away from the previous restructuring plan that he said would have split the Ceylon Electricity Board and reduced its workforce. He argued that Sri Lanka must move from an electricity-focused framework to a broader energy policy, prioritising renewable and environmentally friendly generation, lower tariffs, consumer protection, investment, and energy independence. He criticised past reliance on diesel and coal, alleged cartels and debt burdens within the sector, and assured CEB workers and the public that the Government would protect the institution, livelihoods, and public ownership. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe supported the Electricity Bill, arguing that it reverses earlier efforts to break up and privatize the Ceylon Electricity Board, including proposals in 1996, 2002 and the previous Government’s legislation. He said the Bill would establish five fully state-owned companies, protect the rights of all 23,000 CEB workers including pensions and EPF, allow voluntary retirement, and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply. He rejected claims of privatization, noting that private power generation already exists through CEB purchases, and urged critics to identify genuine shortcomings rather than mislead the public. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara defended the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill, arguing that it would restructure the Ceylon Electricity Board on a “scientific” basis while protecting workers’ pensions, EPF and employment rights. He rejected Opposition claims that the reforms amount to privatization, stating that hydropower assets would remain fully state-owned while private investment and competition would be enabled transparently. He criticized previous governments over alleged failures on LNG projects, solar power planning and emergency power procurements, and said the new framework would prevent such emergency purchases and better coordinate investment and sector reform. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Ruwanthilaka Jayakody raised concerns that export-oriented agriculture is not receiving adequate practical support despite official reports, noting that exporters profit while farmers receive low prices. He cited an example of young graduates abandoning export agriculture after failing to receive sufficient guidance or facilities from the Ministry and the Department of Export Agriculture, and asked what measures would be taken to better encourage youth participation and improve the sector’s effectiveness. Oral Question: Agricultural Crop Export Producers and Regulatory Framework (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister supported Regulations under the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Act, stating that they are needed to protect domestic industries such as tiles, sanitaryware, leather products and footwear from unfairly priced imports. He said the mechanism would allow producers to lodge complaints and enable verification of import prices through Sri Lanka Customs, helping ensure fair competition. He also noted that the Government is working on a National Tariff Policy with the Trade and Finance Ministries to provide a stable five-year framework for duties and investment planning. Linking the Regulations to broader economic policy, he cited export, tourism and stock market indicators and urged Parliament to approve the measures to support domestic producers. Debate: Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Regulations Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan, speaking during the debate on regulations under the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Act, urged the Government to ensure that any new levies do not further burden small producers who already lack fair market access. He highlighted unfair pricing by intermediaries, inadequate rural market infrastructure, the impact of monkey and elephant damage on farming, rising fuel costs for fishers, and the need to support war-affected farmers, fishers, women-headed households, and palmyrah-based small industries in the North and Vanni. He requested local market facilities, measures to secure fair prices, export support for palmyrah handicrafts, and solutions to the Mannar wind power dispute through ongoing discussions with Ministers and local representatives. Debate: Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Regulations Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe made a brief remark characterizing the opposing group as “the crowd that only howls.” No specific policy, legislative issue, proposal, or demand was raised in the statement. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister addressed delayed payments to Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugarcane outgrower farmers under Lanka Sugar Company, outlining inherited liabilities of Rs. 6.272 billion and current production, sales, and revenue figures for sugar and ethanol in early 2025. He stated that a two-month payment delay was acknowledged, with Rs. 871.86 million paid between 2 June and 1 August against Rs. 1.541 billion due by 31 August, leaving Rs. 669.61 million outstanding. He tabled detailed farmer payment lists, saying they were intended to clarify eligibility and identify persons in protests who were not relevant farmers or who owed money to the company. Ministerial Statement: Lanka Sugar Company - Pelwatte and Sevanagala Sugarcane Farmers Read →
- 5 August 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the adequacy of teacher salaries, noting that while only about 10% of teachers reach around Rs. 153,000, most earn between Rs. 53,000 and Rs. 80,000, and asked whether the Government would address the disparity compared with Central Bank salaries. He also raised concern over the decline in Grade 1 admissions from about 360,000 six years earlier to 298,000, asking what measures would be taken to correct it. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 5 August 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister provided a detailed response on school numbers, staffing, salaries, vacancies, and Grade 1 admissions on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education. He stated that Sri Lanka has 396 National Schools and 9,700 Provincial Schools, with 237,787 teachers and 12,567 principals, and placed district-level salary and school data in the Library. He reported 1,497 vacancies in National Schools, noted legal and policy-related delays to major teacher recruitment processes, and outlined recent and planned appointments including diploma teachers, English-medium teachers under “English for All,” and estate-sector Tamil-medium Teacher Assistants pending court proceedings. He also stated that 3,148 schools have fewer than 100 students and provided recent and projected Grade 1 admission figures, with further details in annexures. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary The Minister responded to questions on youth organizations under the National Youth Services Council, citing the National Youth Services Act No. 69 of 1979 as the basis for establishing and reorganizing youth societies. He said the “Connect 2025 Youth Clubs” programme is a rebranding effort to attract youth and denied using political symbols or exerting political influence. He stated that officers involved are carrying out official duties, not political work, and that the Government aims to establish youth clubs in all 14,022 Grama Niladhari Divisions, with about 11,000 already formed on a non-party, non-ethnic and non-religious basis. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned the Government’s lack of a decision on vehicle permits for around 25,000 eligible officers, including retirees and judicial officers. He proposed that, instead of providing vehicles or using foreign exchange, the Government should take over the permits and compensate holders in rupees, using savings from underperforming capital expenditure. Oral Question: Import of Vehicles Under Duty-Free Permits (Q.508/2025) Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara raised concern that certain measures could affect the EPF and asked about the status of a proposed hospital to be built using private sector EPF contributions for private sector workers, noting that land and funds were reportedly allocated. He also drew attention to kidney disease affecting workers and questioned the lack of accessible testing and support for kidney patients. Oral Question: Employees' Provident Fund - Investments in Share Market (Q.217/2024) Read →