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- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the allocations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism and argued that improved domestic stability and international confidence are increasing tourist arrivals and foreign exchange earnings. He highlighted the Eastern Province’s tourism potential, including Trincomalee, Pasikuda, Arugam Bay, Kumana and related natural and cultural attractions, and proposed upgrading the Pottuvil aerodrome into a runway and developing a rail link from Batticaloa to Pottuvil/Arugam Bay. He also raised concern over the relocation of the Foreign Employment Bureau office from Kalmunai and urged that foreign employment and tourism services be made accessible to people across the Eastern Province. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to provide targeted incentives for high-remitting migrant workers, including higher duty-free allowances and improved airport services, arguing that legal remittances are a major source of foreign exchange. He also called for a stronger tourism strategy to reach higher visitor and revenue targets by 2030, including rapid airport development, expanded international flight frequencies, revival of domestic scheduled air services, and better regulation of online booking platforms to retain foreign exchange locally. He proposed airport information centres, tourist credit card benefits, benchmarking against regional competitors, and reforms to address scams and procedural weaknesses at Cultural Triangle sites and other tourist infrastructure. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake addressed the Ministry’s work amid Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange constraints, commending attention to foreign employment while urging a shift from low-skilled domestic work to officially trained, skilled migration. He proposed strengthening vocational skills, technology training, and English proficiency, citing the Philippines as an example, to increase the value of remittances. He noted that remittances reached US$6.58 billion in 2024 and said current monthly inflows of US$700–750 million could support higher annual foreign exchange earnings if sustained. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi argued that foreign employment has long sustained Sri Lanka’s economy but was historically unmanaged, particularly through the untrained migration of women to domestic work in the Middle East, creating social and family hardships. He called for a structured system to train workers for overseas employment, involving the Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment authorities, vocational training institutions, and the Education Ministry, citing the Philippines as an example. He also urged urgent action to address unpaid Cyprus social security contributions owed to Sri Lankan migrant workers, including opening a Sri Lankan embassy in Cyprus and recovering the funds. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne addressed migrant worker issues during the debate on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, citing COPE revelations on underage domestic workers, fraudulent certification, untrained placements, and institutional malpractice involving recruitment networks. She said the Government would strengthen Missions, implement the National Policy on Migration for Employment, amend the SLBFE Act, address trafficking, and establish migration policy and resource mechanisms. She outlined plans to increase skilled migration, support returnees through social protection and enterprise assistance, and use SLBFE allocations for training, loans, scholarships, housing support, and export-oriented businesses. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath argued that the Budget’s allocations for the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure address long-standing problems in the tea sector, particularly affecting tea-producing districts such as Matara, Galle and Ratnapura and the large estate-worker population. He identified labour shortages, high production costs, poor-quality fertilizer, the impact of the previous organic fertilizer policy, climate-related risks, weak use of contingency funds, and inadequate support from institutions such as the Tea Board as key challenges. He said the Budget provides for research, factory modernization, replanting and infilling, and improved support across the production-to-export chain, while also emphasizing the need to protect and modernize the “Ceylon Tea” brand in global markets. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB AI summary Aboobucker Athambawa supported the Budget allocations for the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure, citing Rs. 17,488 million for plantation development and community infrastructure and additional funding to improve estate schools. He said the Government was prioritizing estate workers’ education, vocational training, health, housing, infrastructure and wages, including discussions with employers, training for 1,000 unemployed estate graduates, food assistance, land deeds, roofing sheets and smart classrooms for 60 schools. He also rejected Opposition remarks concerning the Muslim community and the NPP’s support base, alleging attempts to inflame communal tensions and referring to reported corruption issues involving a former local authority chairman. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna – Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna clarified that land identification for the 4,700 planned estate houses is largely complete, but some sites still require NBRO reports and company land allocations, while deeds for houses completed last year remain to be issued. He stated that the Government’s policy is to grant land rights to about 261,000 estate families in phases. On estate wages, he noted that increases must be handled through the legal collective agreement or Wages Board process with companies, and said the Ministry is ready to engage within that framework. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman clarified that issuing land titles should include allocating land for people to build their own houses, not merely granting titles for existing houses. He also requested that the Labour Minister convene the Wages Board to address wage issues with company representatives present. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna – Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna responded to concerns raised about estate workers, stating that the Government is in discussions with plantation companies to secure a daily wage of Rs. 1,700 and expects company cooperation, especially as public funds are being used for estate roads and housing. He said the Government will implement commitments in the Hatton Declaration by granting land rights, house ownership and proper addresses to Malaiyaha people, with funds allocated this year for issuing deeds. He also cited Budget allocations of Rs. 1,800 million for vocational training and basic facilities for estate youth, plans to build 4,700 houses this year and next year with Indian assistance, and continued implementation of the smart classroom project with an additional Rs. 600 million from the Government. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB AI summary Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena highlighted the economic importance of plantation crops and urged continued support for rubber cultivation in Monaragala, including action on yellowing disease. He called for a compensation mechanism for coconut growers affected by porcupines and wild elephants. He also raised concerns about the sugar industry, particularly Pelwatte and Sevanagala, seeking better market conditions, stable prices for sugar and spirits, restoration of employee benefits and wages, retention of long-serving temporary workers, and ministerial attention to the financial and administrative difficulties facing these institutions. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan thanked the Minister’s commitment to provide ten-perch land plots and individual houses for estate workers, and urged equal attention to tea and rubber alongside coconut. He argued that plantation estates must be protected with workers’ welfare central to policy, called for clearer lease conditions or cancellations where companies fail to invest, and cited issues including blocked estate roads, barriers to electricity connections, and non-payment of the Rs. 1,700 basic wage. He also requested expanded housing for workers, staff and teachers, action on malnutrition and child health, and reopening closed factories to generate local employment. He supported recognition of “Malaiyaha people,” noted the dominance of smallholders in tea production, and urged mechanisms to better support them while addressing the gap between public investment in estate infrastructure and company responsibilities. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Ajith Agalakada JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Agalakada highlighted the plantation sector’s importance for foreign exchange earnings and Sri Lanka’s international reputation through products such as Ceylon Tea and Ceylon Cinnamon, while arguing that weak planning and mismanagement had contributed to decline. Focusing on Monaragala District, he cited rubber and cinnamon cultivation figures and national targets for rubber production, yields, and export earnings under the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure budget. He proposed a government-led project to cultivate 250–300 hectares of new rubber in Monaragala, expand nurseries at Padiyathalawa and Kumbukkan Oya to address plant shortages, and use capital allocations to strengthen local plantation infrastructure. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Palani Thigambaram SJB AI summary Palani Thigambaram welcomed the Budget’s acknowledgement of the Hill Country Tamil community but urged the Government to move beyond statements and implement concrete programmes for estate people. He defended his record as Minister during 2015–2019, denying allegations of corruption or political favouritism and citing housing and development work carried out for estate communities. He called for continuity in addressing the long-standing problems of the Hill Country population, offered cooperation if the Government delivers, and asked the Minister to focus more on estate residents as well as plantation issues. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel focused on housing conditions in the Hill Country, citing overcrowded line rooms and associated social and educational problems, and thanked India for continued housing assistance. She said 62 housing projects begun between 2016 and 2021 remained incomplete despite contractor and supervision payments, and noted that 1,300 Indian-funded houses still require completion. She stated that the Government plans a 10,000-house programme with infrastructure, seven-perch land and title deeds, including 6,000 houses this year, prioritising disaster victims and vulnerable families rather than political beneficiaries. She also referred to plans under “Clean Sri Lanka” to renovate 75 line-room clusters and to allocate Rs. 2,450 million to revive vocational training and livelihood support for estate youth. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said estate companies were neglecting maintenance, cutting estate trees for firewood, overusing herbicides, and failing to invest in fertilizer, drains, terracing and weeding, leading to deterioration in the plantation sector. He noted a sharp decline in estate labour as youth move to tourism or better-paid work in Colombo, leaving only areas with fewer alternatives still dependent on estate employment. He urged the Minister to deliver visible results for plantation communities, arguing that expectations in the Province are now focused on the Minister and that stronger powers, including over lands, would have improved implementation. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that there is a modest staffing shortfall, mainly in higher technical positions such as engineers, while some lower-grade divisions have excess staff. He said the Government is implementing the post-2016 Cabinet decision to discontinue manpower recruitment and therefore does not need external recruitment for lower grades. Applications are currently being called through the relevant website to fill higher-level technical vacancies. Oral Questions and Answers Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha asked how the Government would address the current staff shortage at the Ceylon Electricity Board, noting that manpower workers had previously been regularized into the permanent cadre in 2015. He sought clarification on whether the shortage would be met by rehiring manpower workers or through permanent cadre recruitment. Oral Questions and Answers Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha highlighted problems across agriculture beyond paddy, including high input costs for vegetable and fruit farmers, crop losses, wildlife damage, marketing failures, and the lack of fertilizer support outside paddy cultivation. He questioned whether rice could be maintained at around Rs. 220 per kilogram given current paddy purchase prices, and urged measures to protect both farmers and consumers. He called for action against chemical fruit ripening, better marketing and price support for banana, cinnamon, pepper and clove producers, and an investigation into the closure and debts of the Spices and Allied Products Marketing Board, while expressing support for effective government programmes for farmers. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa argued that current paddy prices and the reduced fertilizer allocation require more practical intervention to protect farmer incomes, questioning whether the Rs. 5 billion set aside for paddy purchases is sufficient to influence market prices. He proposed soil testing and technology-based fertilizer distribution, greater adoption of modern farming methods, and credit support through cooperative and rural banks. He also raised concerns about police officers being required to vacate quarters within six months and requested a more practical timeframe, while noting issues at the German Technical College and expressing support for the planned count of monkeys, porcupines and langurs. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →