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- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised a Point of Order questioning how the Budget was prepared without clarity on measures for 35,000 unemployed graduates. He noted that requests for time to provide answers are usually accommodated, but asked for an explanation regarding the absence of a clear plan for this group. Procedural Matters: Standing Order 27(2) Question on Graduate Unemployment Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government on graduate unemployment and the mismatch between education and employment, seeking data on public spending per student, studies on graduate job search periods, and plans for 580 local medical graduates awaiting internships. He asked how the Government will implement the National People’s Power pledge to employ 35,000 unemployed graduates, including sectoral recruitment numbers, budget allocations, and whether selection will use skills-based criteria or competitive examinations. He also called for targeted reforms for Arts graduates, age-relaxed access to public competitive exams up to 45 years, and a meeting led by the Prime Minister to present concrete solutions to unemployed graduates. Procedural Matters: Standing Order 27(2) Question on Graduate Unemployment Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer regarding Regidale Estate in Kahapola, stating that 72 of its 77 acres are vested in the Department of National Zoological Gardens and 5 acres in the Ministry of Buddhasasana, with deeds, Cabinet memoranda, and a layout plan placed in the Library. He said the Department is using part of the land for fodder and farm cultivation to supply animal feed, with plans to expand production to meet the Dehiwala Zoo’s full fodder requirement. He also noted that a coordinated programme has been prepared jointly with the Ministry of Buddhasasana. Oral Questions: Moulavi Certificate and Regidale Estate Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad argued that Sri Lanka’s education system must be reformed to prepare children for future labour markets, particularly the period after 2045, rather than focusing only on current curricula or past expenditure. He highlighted past education initiatives by right-of-centre governments, defended the Opposition Leader’s “Sakwala” programme as a non-election initiative supporting ICT access and schools, and called for acknowledgement of such efforts. He urged reconsideration of the 1982 Education White Paper’s proposals, including wider scope for private and vocational education while preserving free education, and questioned the efficiency of spending in small schools compared with larger schools. He also raised concern over shortages of science and mathematics teachers at A/L level due to salary pressures. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said the Government has made education a top Budget priority, allocating Rs. 619 billion and moving to fill long-standing vacancies in teaching, principals’ posts, the Education Administrative Service, and the Teacher Educators’ Service. He argued that simply designating schools as National Schools without resources was ineffective and said the policy should be to treat all schools equitably. Addressing the teachers’ and principals’ salary anomaly, he stated that recent salary increases exceed earlier union monetary demands but do not fully resolve the structural anomaly, which the NPP policy pledges to address along with establishing a Teachers’ Council and improving the status of the teaching profession. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy supported the Education Ministry allocation, citing Rs. 271 billion for eight months and outlining government plans for sports schools, preschool teacher pay increases, school infrastructure improvements, curriculum reform, and major teacher and education service recruitments from 2025. He highlighted poor sanitation and water facilities in teacher training institutions, disparities between elite and rural schools, and lower employability among graduates of Eastern and Jaffna Universities due to course-market mismatch. He also requested intervention to issue long-delayed original certificates for teacher trainees who completed training between 2010 and 2016. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam urged fuller implementation of the Subodhini Salary Commission recommendations for teachers and principals, arguing that the current Budget’s three-year increments fall short and proposing that funds be reprioritized from areas such as unnecessary Ministries and Defence. He called for an end to Civil Security Department-run preschools in the Northern Province, describing them as militarization of education, and requested that all preschools be brought under the Education Ministry with comparable salaries. He also highlighted urgent Northern Province education needs, including about Rs. 2 billion for incomplete facilities and significant teacher, administrative and minor staff vacancies, and asked that a UGC promotion examination be held in Jaffna or at least Vavuniya for the convenience of affected applicants. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir highlighted inadequate school infrastructure, including shortages of desks and chairs, poor toilet facilities affecting girls, and the lack of night watchmen and sanitation workers. He requested direct Government funding for these needs instead of indirect contributions from parents, and called for hygiene and female-friendly toilets to be prioritized in future school plans. He also raised concerns about Tamil and Muslim HNDE English teachers posted to Sinhala areas in Ampara District, urging resolution of language and transport difficulties and action on English teacher vacancies in Akkaraipattu and Sammanthurai. He further requested graduate appointments and internal placement policies for long-waiting graduates and teachers, and briefly responded to remarks by Hon. Dr. Archchuna concerning Islamic religious matters. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna objected to a claim that teachers and principals lacked the qualifications to receive relief for salary anomalies. She stated that she had served as a teacher until 2015 and distinguished her own professional background from trade union activity related to securing salary benefits. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe rejected another Member’s claim that he had denied the existence of a teachers’ salary anomaly, saying his remarks had been taken out of context. He requested that a six-minute video of his earlier explanation be shown and stated that he would clarify the matter in detail in Parliament. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe rejected claims that he had denied the existence of teacher salary anomalies and challenged members to produce evidence, including video, before the debate ended. He said he had consistently represented teachers on the issue and indicated that he would explain the nature of the salary anomaly, including clarifying references made to “2/3,” with supporting documents. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Rohini Kumari Wijerathna urged the Minister to respond with practical solutions to issues in education, particularly the reported shortage of about 40,000 teachers despite an approved cadre of 235,924 and improved teacher-student ratios. She cautioned against using Development Officers to cover teacher vacancies and called for National Colleges of Education and Teacher Training Colleges to be modernized and elevated to university level. She also challenged claims that there is no two-thirds teacher pay anomaly, referencing the 2/97 Circular, the B.C. Perera Commission, her earlier parliamentary intervention in 2020, and the death of teacher Waruni Asanka during the related struggle. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana welcomed increased allocations for education and asked the Government to clarify proposed reforms, including the reported Grade 9 examination and possible changes to the Grade 5 Scholarship, O/L and A/L examinations. He sought an explanation of the status and selection criteria for schools previously designated as National Schools under the programme to convert 1,000 Provincial Council schools, warning that unclear responsibility between provincial and central authorities could harm those schools. He also urged the Government to meet teachers’ and principals’ salary expectations and said strikes in health and education should be avoided because of their impact on lives and children’s futures. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan called for reforms to curricula, teaching methods, teacher recruitment, and higher education to make learning more student-centred and employment-oriented, including the introduction of polytechnic-style diploma programmes for students not entering universities. He noted that the 2025 Budget increases education allocations to Rs. 271 billion but argued that the sector’s share should rise to at least 10 per cent, while expressing concern over reduced funding for primary school facilities. He highlighted infrastructure, research funding, staffing, and teacher deployment problems, particularly in the North and East, and proposed recruiting teacher trainees locally for appointment to underserved areas. He also detailed shortages and facility needs in Trincomalee District, including 1,875 teacher vacancies, schools without principals or watchmen, dilapidated buildings, lack of technology labs, and flood and elephant risks, and urged urgent funding and appointments. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa argued that education reform must begin with early childhood education and address inequalities between urban and rural schools while strengthening all 10,096 schools. He questioned the Government’s failure to remove VAT on educational equipment and noted that education spending remains far below the previously advocated target of 6 per cent of GDP. He proposed supplementary financing through education philanthropy, sister-school and foreign institutional partnerships, and school trust funds, while calling for action on staff shortages, teacher and principal salary anomalies, inclusive education for persons with disabilities, and integration of AI and STEAM education. He also sought clear plans for promised graduate recruitment, raised concerns over allowances for university staff, treatment of development officers, and alleged political reprisals in the education sector. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Padmasiri Bandara JJB AI summary Hon. Padmasiri Bandara raised concerns about the separation between Provincial and National School teacher transfer processes, noting that zonal transfer boards lack authority to transfer teachers into National Schools. He said many teachers in Polonnaruwa’s provincial schools seek such transfers but have no clear mechanism, and asked whether powers would be adjusted to allow zonal boards to address these transfers and correct staffing imbalances. Oral Answers to Questions Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government supports the objective of eliminating violence and harassment in workplaces, noting its relevance to productivity and the disproportionate impact on women. He said discussions have been held with the ILO Country Director and that a multi-ministry workshop on ILO Convention C190 and related conventions was conducted on 6 March. He emphasized that ratification and legislation must be accompanied by broader social awareness and rejection of harassment, particularly given workplace power imbalances. He said the Government will move swiftly towards ratifying C190 and promoting a decent, safe working environment. Adjournment Motion: ILO Convention No. 190 - Empowerment of Women at Workplace Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe thanked Rohini Kumari Wijerathna for raising ILO Convention No. 190 on International Women’s Day and said the Labour Ministry has begun preliminary work on labour law reforms needed for its ratification, alongside attention to other ILO conventions on fishing, occupational safety and health, and maternity protection. He said successive governments had not ratified C190 since its adoption in 2019, despite continuing violence and psychological pressure faced by women in and outside workplaces. He also linked workplace protections to the low female labour force participation rate of about 32 per cent and said the Government would seek employer-employee consensus to amend relevant laws. Adjournment Motion: ILO Convention No. 190 - Empowerment of Women at Workplace Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra seconded the motion supporting ratification of ILO Convention C190 on violence and harassment in the world of work, noting that it broadens responsibility beyond individual victims to employers, managers, colleagues, and society. She argued that ratification must be followed by domestic implementing legislation to prevent workplace harassment and violence, particularly against women, and to make workplaces safer and more productive. She urged the Minister of Labour to move swiftly from ratification to legislation, framing the call in the context of International Women’s Day. Adjournment Motion: ILO Convention No. 190 - Empowerment of Women at Workplace Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna moved an Adjournment Motion on International Women’s Day urging the Government to ratify ILO Convention No. 190 on eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work. She argued that workplace-related physical, verbal, psychological and sexual harassment is a major barrier to women’s labour force participation, noting survey findings that many women would return to work if such harassment ended. The motion states that the Convention covers workers and others across contractual statuses, sectors and locations, and calls on Sri Lanka to adopt it to ensure safe workplaces and support women’s empowerment and economic participation. Adjournment Motion: ILO Convention No. 190 - Empowerment of Women at Workplace Read →