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- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri argued that Sri Lanka should learn from Vietnam’s advanced agricultural methods to improve yields, food security, and an agriculture-based economy, noting that the country still imports rice and that such technologies should be taught through universities. He called for modernizing traditional agriculture while retaining national identity and questioned whether university education is being effectively directed toward national development. He also highlighted the value of vocational and technical skills in vehicle repair and upgrading, proposing an island-wide expansion of the University of Vocational Technology to support youth employment and economic productivity. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.18/2024 - Formulating a Programme to Make School Students Aware of University of Vocational Technology Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri moved a resolution calling for a government programme to inform school students about the University of Vocational Technology and its job-market-oriented degree courses. He cited Vietnam’s education and labour-force model, including foreign-language vocational pathways linked to overseas employment, and urged Sri Lanka to use vocational and technological education to develop human capital beyond traditional university disciplines. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.18/2024 - Formulating a Programme to Make School Students Aware of University of Vocational Technology Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi supported a proposal to create a dedicated educational pathway for high-performing athletes, beyond merely adding 0.5 to the Z-score for university admission. He argued that athletes who represent Sri Lanka nationally or internationally should be able to pursue diplomas and degrees despite academic disruption, especially given limited university places for qualified A/L students. He also urged consideration of past international medal winners, including Susanthika Jayasinghe, and called on the Sports Minister and relevant Deputy Ministers to advance the proposal. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.17/2024 - School and Higher Education Frameworks for Sportspersons Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education (Dr. Madhura Senevirathna) AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the motion to expand degree opportunities for athletes and said school-level sports selection and training lack clear, scientific processes. He noted disparities in resources and coaching, and said the Ministries of Education and Sports will establish a joint committee to develop a scientific school sports system for early identification and proper pathways. He also said the existing university allocation of up to 0.5 per cent for students with special talents, including athletes, will be reviewed to better accommodate national athletes in relevant degree programmes through transparent and equitable criteria. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.17/2024 - School and Higher Education Frameworks for Sportspersons Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Sugath Thilakaratne - Deputy Minister of Sports JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakaratne supported Hon. Hesha Withanage’s Motion, arguing that national and international athletes sacrifice education and personal life and should receive expanded access to university degree opportunities. He noted existing Sports Science and Sports Management programmes at several universities and said the current limited non-Z-score intake for athletes is insufficient. He also referred to the need for more qualified coaches, better school placements for previously recruited coaches, stronger sports administration, and legal arrangements to bring university sports structures under the UGC to improve participation pathways, including in events such as the World University Games. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.17/2024 - School and Higher Education Frameworks for Sportspersons Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth seconded a Private Member’s Motion and called for a modern public sports ground on 10 acres of identified State land at Sarvodaya Puram in Pottuvil, as well as playing-field facilities for several named schools in the area. He urged the Youth Services Ministry to appoint long-serving local volunteers in Pottuvil and Lahugala as Assistant Youth Services Officers during the current recruitment process. He also requested implementation of a 2021 recommendation to place court matters from 12 GN divisions in Irakkamam under the Akkaraipattu Court, and asked the Power Minister to establish a separate Electricity Consumer Service Centre for Irakkamam. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.17/2024 - School and Higher Education Frameworks for Sportspersons Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Moved a Private Member’s Motion calling for national-level sportspersons and record-holders to be allowed access to sports-related degree programmes based on demonstrated sporting competence, rather than only academic qualifications or Z-score. He argued this would help address the shortage of qualified school sports coaches, citing problems with the 2017–2018 recruitment of coaches as non-academic staff, including low pay, lack of job security and attrition. He urged the Prime Minister, as Minister of Higher Education, and the Minister of Sports to develop a framework, and also commented on the need for proper governance and qualified appointments in Sri Lanka Cricket. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.17/2024 - School and Higher Education Frameworks for Sportspersons Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar said recent estate-related incidents in Ragala, Maskeliya and Ratnapura had been addressed through police action, trade union involvement or official discussions, and alleged that some political groups were exaggerating them during the Emergency and public safety debate. He argued that estate workers’ long-standing problems in education, health, transport, wages and land rights were being addressed by the Government, citing the Rs. 1,750 wage arrangement with a Rs. 200 state contribution. He rejected racist and sectarian politics, referred to past ethnic violence against estate workers, and said the Government was pursuing housing, road repairs, local industry support and anti-narcotics measures in the North while encouraging diaspora investment. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Shantha Padmakumara Subasingha AI summary The Hon. Shantha Padmakumara Subasingha supported the extension of the emergency, citing the recent landslide risk in the Opatha DS Division of Ratnapura where 30 families were evacuated and 11 high-risk families were sheltered with relief. He defended the Government’s disaster relief and estate-sector measures, including a proposed Rs. 5,000 billion relief package and a Rs. 400 estate wage increase, while accusing the Opposition of politicizing incidents in Kahawatta, Nuwara Eliya and the hill country. He said the Government had acted promptly over the Neelagama estate assault by arresting suspects, warning the estate company, and working to provide land and housing to affected families. He also referred to past ethnic violence and disaster resettlement failures under previous governments, and urged the Opposition to present evidence before the appointed commission and act responsibly. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan said emergency relief for Ditha cyclone victims had not reached estate communities and welcomed the President’s planned visit to Nuwara Eliya. He argued that land rights for estate-line communities remain the core solution to many estate problems, and called for equal enforcement of the law against estate officials accused of assaulting workers. He also requested intervention on low potato prices and imports affecting Nuwara Eliya farmers, provision of fire engines for estate and industrial areas after the Brookside Estate factory fire, and noted the importance of continued ties with Tamil Nadu. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera questioned the Government’s continued use of emergency powers after Cyclone Ditha, arguing that promised relief—particularly Rs. 500,000 housing grants and land or houses for displaced families—had not been delivered six months later. He cited high-risk families in Kegalle, especially Yatiyantota, who had been instructed to vacate but had not received land or housing, and requested an investigation and expedited payments and allocations. He also challenged government claims on estate worker wage increases, saying part of the increase came from companies and that higher workloads undermined the benefit. He demanded amendments to circulars that restrict land allocation for estate worker housing and called for action on evictions, housing shortages, assaults on estate workers, and basic protections. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Krishnan Kalaichelvi raised several incidents of alleged intimidation and violence against estate workers in Ratnapura, Maskeliya, Ragala and Delmar, stating that ministers, MPs, local councillors, unions, police and the Justice Ministry had intervened and taken legal action in some cases. She criticised opposition representatives from the hill country, arguing that past leaders had failed to resolve estate workers’ issues and that the current government had acted on wages and plantation concerns. Speaking on the resolution under the Public Security Ordinance, she said emergency powers had previously been misused but argued that their extension was necessary to expedite relief and recovery work after the 2025 “Ditha” cyclone, and expressed support for the resolution. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Condolences were offered on the death of Dhanigala Mahabandara of the Rathugala Veddah community before raising a series of questions on disaster relief, damaged infrastructure, fertilizer shortages, harvest relief, and public security. Concerns were raised over the alleged loss of US$ 250 million from the Treasury and a further US$ 6 million from the Department of Posts, with a demand that COPF proceedings and Treasury Secretary responses on the matter be made public. The speech also criticized proposed removal of CESS and PAL under IMF commitments, questioned fertilizer procurement decisions, and asked the Government to clarify reports of a Polish complaint to the EU over passports. It further called for stronger action to protect and empower the Malaiyaha estate community amid reported violence and rejected claims that the Opposition opposed wage and benefit increases for estate workers. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 1 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan said recurring incidents involving the plantation sector should be addressed without politicization, while acknowledging the Minister’s remarks. He requested that the Minister convene the heads of Regional Plantation Companies, the IGP, and relevant members for a discussion to find a resolution. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 1 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan addressed the 2026 regulations under the National Transport Commission Act and Motor Traffic Act, noting that they create a formal mechanism for private inter-provincial bus permit transfers and extend access to special forward vehicle registration numbers for a Rs. 1 million fee. He welcomed the objectives of transparency and revenue generation but raised concerns that the Rs. 2 million financial capacity requirement could exclude smaller investors and that high-fee special numbers may reinforce wealth-based prestige. He also requested urgent support for Trincomalee SLTB services, including repairs to unserviceable buses, at least 10 additional buses, and action to address a 50 per cent staff shortage. Debate: National Transport Commission Act Regulations, Motor Traffic Act Regulations, Immigrants and Emigrants Act Regulations Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the opposing party collectively resisted increasing estate workers’ wages, noting that one of its Members filed a complaint and that the Party Leader had not withdrawn it. He demanded that the Party Leader first express regret for that action. Presentation of Bills and Regulations Approval Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake criticized Opposition figures, including Sajith Premadasa, for allegedly opposing wage increases for Malaiyaha Tamil estate workers and taking the issue to the Bribery Commission. He urged Mano Ganesan to align with those supporting the wage increase rather than with those who challenged it. Procedural Matters: Points of Order, Privilege, and Parliamentary Business Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Minister responded to the Opposition Leader’s SO 27(2) question by outlining official poverty measurement, noting that the latest district estimates are from 2019, the 2025 HIES results are due in October 2026, and the Welfare Benefits Board identified 1,695,843 poor beneficiary households as at March 2026. He stated that poverty is defined through the Official Poverty Line, Rs. 16,690 per person per month nationally in March 2026, supplemented by multidimensional poverty indicators covering education, health and living standards. He described economic and social impacts of poverty and listed current Government responses, including Aswesuma cash transfers, programmes for persons with disabilities and older persons, a contributory pension scheme for informal workers, and livelihood and empowerment initiatives under Samurdhi. He highlighted the National Social Protection Policy, the 2025–2035 strategic plan, and the Rs. 25 billion “Praja Shakthi” poverty eradication programme focused on community-level empowerment, food security, human capital, supply chains, care services and productive economic development. Ministry Statements: Agriculture, Poverty Alleviation Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer regarding Vaddakkachchi Agriculture School and Farm, stating that it falls under the Northern Provincial Ministry and that the central Ministry does not hold primary land data. He reported that 52 acres are currently under the Northern Provincial Department of Agriculture and 165 acres under the Civil Security Department, with steps required among relevant central, provincial and district authorities to release the latter for provincial agricultural development programmes. He also stated that proposals to operationalise 416 acres have been submitted for approval and funding, and outlined ongoing crop varietal research and livestock genetic improvement efforts, noting that new animal breed discovery research is not currently undertaken. Ministry Statements: Agriculture, Poverty Alleviation Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister tabled a written answer on behalf of the Minister detailing Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment registrations of housemaids from 2015 to March 2026, totaling 767,809, with country-wise data and death statistics provided in annexes. The response stated that worker information is entered into the SLBFE computerized system at registration and listed deaths by year and cause categories for 2015–2026. It also outlined SLBFE welfare measures, including free and optional enhanced insurance, scholarships and school supplies for children, concessionary loans, welfare fund assistance, entrepreneurship grants, emergency and housing support, a contributory pension scheme, and increased death and funeral benefits. Second Round of Oral Questions (Q.10 and Tabled Answers) Read →