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 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the original question concerned EPF investments and that he had explained the basis of the investments and resulting profits or losses. He said issues relating to worker engagement or labour matters should be directed separately to the Labour Ministry, while assuring that workers’ rights would not be undermined and that the Government sought to maintain industrial peace under proper labour regulations. Oral Question: Employees' Provident Fund - Investments in Share Market (Q.217/2024) Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara questioned a Presidential Gazette, challenging whether a party claiming to represent workers should act in that manner. He urged attention to the issue, framing it as a concern about workers’ interests and government action. Oral Question: Employees' Provident Fund - Investments in Share Market (Q.217/2024) Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the supplementary question was not related to the original question and clarified that the EPF does not apply in the circumstances as framed. He noted that Colombo Port City is governed by a separate Act under which certain labour law exemptions apply, and said no decisions have been taken contrary to existing rules and regulations. Oral Question: Employees' Provident Fund - Investments in Share Market (Q.217/2024) Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara raised concerns about past and potential political influence over EPF investment decisions, citing investments such as Mihin Air, and urged the Minister to take legal measures to ensure proper future management of the fund. He also questioned, in the context of the published Labour Policy, whether Sri Lankan labour laws apply to Sri Lankan and foreign workers in Colombo Port City and whether such workers contribute to the EPF. Oral Question: Employees' Provident Fund - Investments in Share Market (Q.217/2024) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Nalin Hewage - Deputy Minister of Vocational Education JJB AI summary Nalin Hewage supported the proposed education reforms as a means of strengthening Sri Lanka’s human capital, arguing that the country must compensate for limited physical resources by developing integrated, skilled citizens through education combining science, technology, humanities and arts. He highlighted that only about 40,000 of 300,000 annual Grade 1 entrants reach university, and said vocational education should be brought into schools, modernized, and made attractive to create dignified employment and increase skilled remittances. He also called for the Ocean University, under his Ministry, to be strengthened so that Sri Lanka can develop expertise to use marine resources for national development. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan supported education reform but urged that it address past shortcomings by promoting sustainable development, national unity, moral values, employability, and stronger technical, scientific and mathematical education. He called for equitable teacher allocation, especially for difficult schools in Batticaloa’s Paduvankarai areas, and emphasized shortages in mathematics, science, IT and vocational subjects that limit students’ subject choices. He also proposed stronger qualifications and training for preschool teachers, reconsideration of the Grade 5 scholarship exam, prompt recruitment of B.Ed. graduates without additional diploma requirements, and swift release of O/L re-correction results. He stressed that reforms should be practical and ensure students leave school with vocational skills as well as certificates. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir supported education reform while cautioning that it should not focus only on credentials, but should produce disciplined, culturally grounded students with proficiency in all three languages. He argued that curricula should be better aligned with local and overseas job-market needs. He also called for reforms affecting teachers, including merit-based recruitment, stronger training, better pay and improved working conditions to enhance teaching quality and student outcomes. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) Read →
- 24 July 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised the issue of around 250 education graduates from the Universities of Colombo and Peradeniya and the Open University who have not received teacher appointments for nearly two years. He noted that three cohorts remain unappointed despite having state university qualifications and teacher training amid teacher shortages, and asked why appointments are being delayed citing a Cabinet decision. He requested that the Government take steps to resolve the matter. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman argued that the “Ceylon Tea” brand should not depend on exploitation and called for greater state intervention to address long-standing inequities in the plantation sector. He supported proposed education reforms but said implementation must account for plantation communities’ limited access to quality education, teacher shortages, and historical disadvantages, including by considering alternative teacher recruitment and training models. He urged the Government to implement a previously approved Cabinet decision on estate medical offices and to address the lack of drugs, doctors, and services in 456 such facilities. He also requested revival of a World Bank/ADB-supported programme that provided morning meals and repairs for plantation crèches and daycare centres serving around 22,000 children. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake - President, Minister of Defence; Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary President Anura Kumara Dissanayake argued that education reform must be broad and aligned with Sri Lanka’s economic strategy of developing human capital, noting weak outcomes in migrant labour, poverty alleviation, and social problems linked to low education. He identified school dropouts, under-enrolled schools, misallocated teacher resources, excessive tuition pressure, and a narrow focus on medicine and engineering as key systemic problems. He proposed ensuring all children complete 13 years of schooling, investigating absences, reviewing small schools for closure, amalgamation, relocation or support, reallocating resources to well-equipped schools, restoring extracurricular childhood experiences, and professionalizing diverse vocational pathways through standards and certification. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri raised concern that former district fuel distribution tanks are no longer in use and that islandwide fuel distribution now depends on bowser owners. He asked whether the Ministry has called a tender to award fuel distribution to a single individual, warning that such a move could affect around 400 families operating bowsers. Oral Question: Petroleum Storage Tanks in Cities (Q.9) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy raised concerns about Development Officers, Management Assistants and Technical Assistants in the Northern Province, noting that some officers appointed to Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Mannar have served far from home for long periods while transfers within nearby Jaffna areas are granted. He asked whether a formal transfer system exists for these categories, and if not, whether one will be established, also highlighting that Technical Assistants serving since 2014 have not received officer-grade placements and continue to perform combined duties. Oral Question: Foreign Graduate Appointments (Q.7) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy asked why graduates with foreign degrees who received appointment letters during the good governance period, and in some cases assumed duties at Divisional Secretariats, were later rejected from graduate appointments. He noted that over 4,000 such graduates had served during COVID with official identity cards and submitted required documents, and questioned whether it was unjust to deny them appointments while foreign-trained medical graduates can enter government service. Oral Question: Foreign Graduate Appointments (Q.7) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath - Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister answered on behalf of the Minister regarding the 2020 Employment Programme for Unemployed Graduates, explaining that appointments were halted after the Election Commission’s order during the general election and later reviewed by the Presidential Secretariat. He stated that the rejected list provided no provision to appoint foreign university graduates as Development Officers under that programme, although foreign graduates may enter the public service under other service minute schemes where permitted. He also clarified that the programme’s age limit was assessed as at 31 December 2019, so eligible trainees were confirmed even if they had exceeded 45 by the date of formal appointment. Oral Question: Foreign Graduate Appointments (Q.7) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy asked the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government about the revocation of Development Officer appointments granted to foreign university graduates under the previous Government. He sought the reasons for the revocations, remedies for affected graduates, assurances on non-discriminatory future public sector recruitment, and a solution for those now over the age limit despite being eligible at the time of recruitment in 2020. Oral Question: Foreign Graduate Appointments (Q.7) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana thanked the Deputy Minister for the response and highlighted that Sri Lanka’s coastline is environmentally sensitive and important for tourism. He raised concern that small coastal businesses in the south, including coconut sellers and surfing-related livelihoods, are being removed, and requested a programme that balances coastal protection with safeguarding local livelihoods and the tourism economy. Oral Question: Mount Lavinia Coastal Belt Project (Q.3) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni stated that the NMRA’s pending files had been reduced from over 2,400 in June to around 200. He said local manufacturers’ applications receive priority processing, but noted that applications still require assessment time, with the NMRA’s 300-day timeframe aligning with international practice. He added that efforts are underway to reduce this period further and that there is no significant overdue backlog for local manufacturers beyond the stated timeframe. Oral Question: Apeksha Hospital Treatment and Medicines (Q.1) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary The member questioned the Government’s commitment to prioritizing local manufacturers, noting that 60–70 per cent of required medicines are still imported. She asked what steps would be taken to address delays in NMRA registrations affecting local pharmaceutical manufacturers, including delays that hinder export registration. Oral Question: Apeksha Hospital Treatment and Medicines (Q.1) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna raised an adjournment question to the Prime Minister and Education Minister on salary anomalies affecting the Sri Lanka Teacher Educators’ Service following the Sobodhini Salary Schedule and related teacher/principal salary revisions. She asked whether the Government accepts the anomaly, how and when it will be resolved, whether an interim allowance will be granted, and why officials were absent during a protest at Isurupaya. She also questioned the longer promotion period for Teacher Educators compared with other executive grades, sought a date for admitting 2023-2024 Advanced Level qualified students to Faculties of Education, and asked what measures are being taken to address shortages of physical and technological resources in those institutions. Adjournment: Questions at Time of Adjournment Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to reconsider the handling of the SVAT system, arguing that manual intervention and VAT cash-flow burdens could undermine exporters’ profitability and competitiveness. He warned that without appropriate tax relief, especially for SMEs, businesses may be weakened or relocate overseas, and asked the Minister to address these concerns. He also defended continuation of the IMF-supported open economic policy framework, crediting earlier reforms and recent economic stabilization efforts for enabling current operations. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →