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- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara supported the Adjournment Motion, citing shortages of experienced personnel in essential public services, particularly doctors, prosecutors and foreign service officers. He urged the Government to retain or re-engage retired specialists and legal officers on contract, noting the impact of doctor migration and a large backlog of files at the Attorney-General’s Department. He also criticized political appointments in the Foreign Service and called for experienced diplomats to be posted to key economic missions, while asking the Minister of Public Administration to reconsider Circular No. 19/2022 and re-implement Circular No. 02/2022. Adjournment Debate: Public Administration Circular No. 19/2022 Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Urged the rapid revival of village-level cooperative programmes, citing earlier models under J.R. Jayewardene and Ranasinghe Premadasa, and called for collapsed rural cooperatives to be rehabilitated. He also proposed integrating fisheries cooperatives, including those now under Provincial Councils, into a national framework with rural fisheries organizations. He raised concerns about the Weeraketiya Multi-purpose Cooperative Society election held on 16 March 2025 despite Election Commission-related correspondence advising postponement during the local authority election period, and requested an inquiry and compliance with election guidance. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged reforms to company registration and SME incorporation, proposing a reduced Rs. 10,000 fee and rapid online registration for companies with paid-up capital under Rs. 500,000 to improve access to credit and growth. He called for the Consumer Affairs Authority under Act No. 9 of 2003 to be digitized and reoriented toward effective consumer protection, including action on monopolistic or oligopolistic pricing in essential sectors. He also discussed the Mahapola Trust Fund and SLIIT issues, stating that any dues to Mahapola should be examined, and advocated stronger national branding, export expansion, and pragmatic use of open-economy policies. He supported the President’s USD 36 billion export target by 2030, stressing the need for FTAs with countries such as India, Singapore, Thailand and China to build market access and reduce external risks. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 Hon. S. Sri Bachanandaraja AI summary Hon. S. Sri Bachanandaraja called for the revival of the cooperative sector in Jaffna District, citing decline due to politicization, mismanagement, maladministration, and unqualified appointments. He requested reopening the Cooperative Training College at Poontottam, resolving encroachment on land allocated in Kurunagar, strengthening the Consumer Affairs Authority, and providing financial or concessionary loan support to restore non-functional cooperative societies. He also urged that Northern Province economic centres be made operational, the Jaffna City Market be rebuilt with support from the Chamber of Commerce and diaspora organizations, and a dedicated jetty be provided to supply Jaffna’s island communities. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition urged the Government to pursue country-specific trade arrangements despite the general lapse of GSP benefits, citing the Multi-Fibre Arrangement concessions linked to the “200 Garment Factories Programme” as precedent. He proposed establishing a specialised Sri Lanka Trade Representative and team to conduct government-to-government negotiations, and offered his side’s expertise on a pro bono basis. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa argued that the Ministry must strengthen consumer protection, trade promotion, food security policy, and support for MSMEs through better laws, enforcement, market access, infrastructure, innovation, and public–private collaboration. He questioned whether the official poverty line reflects current living costs, criticized the Aswesuma beneficiary selection process as insufficiently evidence-based, and called for a fairer, data-driven approach. He urged durable debt resolution and rehabilitation for MSMEs affected by recent economic shocks, rather than only suspending parate execution. He also asked the Government to clarify its trade policy and negotiating capacity, proposed a Sri Lanka Trade Representative mechanism, and called for strategies to retain EU GSP Plus and restore US GSP access while also considering broader well-being indicators such as Gross National Happiness. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Anton Jayakody stated that the Government plans to recruit 3,530 assistants for electric fence protection, while continuing to use Civil Security Department officers and community participation in some areas. He said steps are being considered to confirm long-serving temporary workers, and that qualified graduates from the planned 35,000 graduate recruitment programme will be assigned to the Department of Wildlife Conservation to fill vacancies. He expressed confidence that many cadre and staffing shortages in the sector would be addressed by the end of the year. Oral Question: Anti-Elephant Electric Fencing (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Environment stated that 3,530 electric fence maintenance assistants have been identified and that no appointments have yet been made. He explained that recruitment was delayed due to a Supreme Court interim order in SC FR 278/2023, which was discharged on 19 December 2024, and that the recruitment procedure has since been resubmitted to the Public Service Commission for urgent approval. He added that interviews, digitization of appointment lists, PSC follow-up, and collection of bank details for salary payments have been completed or initiated. Oral Question: Anti-Elephant Electric Fencing (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra said foreign employment is a major source of foreign exchange and emphasized the need to curb irregular migration while noting a decline in the share of workers leaving as domestic workers. He urged all migrant workers, including those travelling on visit visas for work, to register with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, stating that registration is necessary for effective state intervention in disputes or emergencies. He said the Government is reforming the Bureau, addressing past political interference, and developing mechanisms down to Divisional Secretariat and Grama Niladhari levels to provide guidance, training, and family support for migrant workers. He stated that the Government’s objective is to regulate the sector, ensure migrant safety, and address the economic pressures that compel people to seek work abroad. Adjournment Motion: Protection and Support for Migrant Workers Abroad Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper supported the motion on regulating Sri Lankan domestic workers abroad, but argued that the central issue is why women, especially mothers from economically vulnerable Tamil-speaking communities in the Eastern Province, are compelled to migrate for such work. He objected to the term “housemaid,” urged recognition of domestic work as skilled labour requiring training, dignity and protections, and recalled the case of Rizana Nafeek as an example of the risks faced overseas. He said laws alone are insufficient because people circumvent them, and called for broader attention to economic conditions, family impacts and proper institutional support for migrant domestic workers. Adjournment Motion: Protection and Support for Migrant Workers Abroad Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilusha Lakmali Gamage JJB AI summary Nilusha Lakmali Gamage seconded the Adjournment Motion on migrant workers and emphasized the need for mandatory SLBFE registration, sector-specific pre-departure training, migration orientation, skills development, and financial literacy. She highlighted language barriers and inadequate training on machinery and workplace processes as causes of hardship and accidents, and called for a systematic programme to provide basic language and job-related training before deployment. She also noted the sacrifices made by women migrant workers who leave their families to improve their children’s future and household economic conditions. Adjournment Motion: Protection and Support for Migrant Workers Abroad Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi moved an Adjournment Motion calling for stronger protection of Sri Lankan migrant workers, particularly unskilled and female workers who face exploitation when migrating without proper registration. He proposed mandatory SLBFE registration, sector-relevant pre-departure training, migration guidance, skills development, and financial literacy, alongside stronger regulation of the SLBFE and legal reforms where needed. Citing complaint statistics, safe house numbers, court cases, and incidents involving workers in Oman, Dubai, Russia, Myanmar, Kuwait, and elsewhere, he argued that regulatory failures have left many workers vulnerable to abuse, trafficking, abandonment, and death. Adjournment Motion: Protection and Support for Migrant Workers Abroad Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha raised concern that scrap iron exports are harming small industries working with lac, copper, and brass, affecting an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people. He requested the Minister to look into the matter. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary The Minister outlined Budget allocations and programmes to strengthen youth institutions, sports governance, infrastructure, and athlete development. He said new sports legislation and gazette provisions would address corruption, irregularities, and prolonged disputes in national sports associations, while legal steps would be expedited for suspended bodies including motor sports, cycling, netball, and rugby. He highlighted major investments in sports facilities in the North and East, village-level sports and youth clubs, women’s participation, national athlete support, nutrition, competitions, and fitness initiatives, stating that the Ministry would not interfere in elections but would act against fraud and corruption. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha urged the Government to prioritize adequate infrastructure funding for the existing Bingiriya Export Processing Zone rather than describing it as a new zone or spreading limited funds across multiple projects. He said the Rs. 900 million allocation is insufficient for Bingiriya’s required electricity, water, effluent and land development needs, despite existing investor interest, and also noted the potential to develop Hambantota EPZ. He raised difficulties faced by coconut-based industries due to high raw material and energy costs, taxes and import implementation barriers, and called for continued banking relief for industrialists affected by COVID-era debt restructuring and parate action. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe JJB AI summary The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe stated that the National People’s Power’s first Budget is framed as part of an overall plan rather than being centred on a single Ministry. He said the coordinated work of industry, transport, technology, and agriculture is intended to establish the foundation for a production-based economy. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe defended the Ministry’s Estimates by arguing that Sri Lanka must build a production economy linked to global value chains, citing stagnant export earnings around USD 17 billion and weak growth as evidence of past policy failures. He outlined measures to support SMEs, improve market access, provide research, certification and skills support, address industrial land issues, improve ease of doing business, and coordinate entrepreneurship services across ministries and institutions. He also announced policy initiatives including a new SOP for vehicle assembly, changes for the gems and jewelry sector, an anti-dumping policy approved by Cabinet, duty-free raw materials for export production, and greater priority for local content in construction and development projects. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper said suspending or ending the moratorium alone is insufficient and called for a structured system to guide small entrepreneurs on appropriate loan sources. He argued that ordinary commercial bank loans are often unsuitable for sustainable small-business development, and that development banks should provide project support, expertise, and motivation rather than only disbursing funds. Referring to his legal experience with stays of parate execution, he noted abuses by both lenders and borrowers and urged the Government to introduce practical measures acceptable to all parties. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper requested an additional Rs. 4 million to provide a dedicated electricity transformer needed to commission the Sandankeni swimming pool in Kalmunai, noting that about Rs. 60 million has already been spent and that the facility should be affordable for local Tamil and Muslim students. He welcomed the Rs. 150 million allocation in the 2025 Estimates for completing the adjacent indoor sports arena and asked that it include dedicated facilities for girls and women, such as a badminton court. He also raised concerns about small entrepreneurs’ access to capital and asked whether the government would further extend the moratorium suspending parate executions beyond 31 March. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva questioned how the Government intends to achieve its stated target of USD 28 billion in industrial exports by 2030 and argued that an export-led strategy requires a clear shift from earlier positions opposing export- and FDI-led growth under the Economic Transformation Bill. He urged the Government to expand and protect market access through agreements such as RCEP and other FTAs, noting risks to Sri Lanka’s US trade surplus and the need to maintain arrangements such as GSP+. He said high para-tariffs and resistance to services liberalization, including Mode 4 professional mobility, are inconsistent with joining major trade frameworks and building exports. He also referred to domestic innovation in electric three-wheelers and implied the need for supportive policies for such industries. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →