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 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that women and children can report violence through the 1938 and 1929 hotlines, while acknowledging limited public awareness, Tamil-language capacity, staffing, and follow-up legal support, and said a broader awareness campaign and service improvements are planned. She outlined measures to improve and expand childcare facilities, including at Sethsiripaya and for parliamentary staff, and noted that regulation of day care centres under the National Child Protection Authority has resumed. She said appointments to the National Commission on Women are pending through the Constitutional Council process, after which a Women’s Empowerment Fund could be established, and added that concerns of women-headed households and vulnerable groups in the North, East, and plantation communities would be considered. She also explained that the apparent reduction in the Ministry’s budget reflects the separation of social development from women and child affairs, and cited the Rs. 6,000 schoolchildren’s allowance as part of efforts to reduce family burdens and prevent school dropouts. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem spoke during the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, commending women’s leadership in government and marking International Women’s Day with references to women’s rights in Islam. He urged consultative reform of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, increased support for child-care institutions and school supplies, and livelihood assistance, equipment and market access for widows, separated women, war-affected families and women’s micro-enterprises in the Eastern Province and other areas. He also requested action on unresolved murders in 2016, improved maternal health services and non-discriminatory treatment in Puttalam, the immediate appointment of a Qazi for Puttalam, and measures against false online allegations linking Eravur mosques to extremism. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Geetha Herath supported the 2025 Budget allocation for the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, stating that it contains more deliverable measures for women’s safety, recognition, and economic empowerment. She cited allocations including Rs. 63 million for women’s entrepreneurship and highlighted concerns such as low female economic participation, poverty among plantation and rural communities, women-headed households, and the rising number of women prisoners with limited education. She outlined planned programmes for low-income urban women, widows, cottage industries, plantation women, families of migrant women, girls leaving care institutions, and protection from exploitative microfinance, linking these measures to the Government’s “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Life” policy framework. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hasara Liyanage, speaking during the debate on the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs expenditure on International Women’s Day, emphasized women’s economic empowerment as essential to sustainability and dignity. She cited rising female contributions to household income and said the Budget allocates Rs. 63 million for women’s economic empowerment, particularly for low-income urban women, through projects, market access, and training. She also referred to support for young women entrepreneurs, alternative livelihood programmes for women working abroad, and measures such as preschool breakfast programmes to reduce the burden on women managing households and income activities. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer supported the Head of Expenditure of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs on International Women’s Day, arguing that the Government has prioritized women’s and children’s rights within its development programme. He highlighted increased women’s representation under the National People’s Power, while noting remaining issues in safety, poverty, equality, education, political participation, and access to state services, and called for further representation, including at local government level. He said the Budget provides measures to support mothers, strengthen children’s health, safety and education, and promote play and sports, and stated that the Government would work with all parties on necessary legal reforms. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, speaking during the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs on International Women’s Day, argued that women’s empowerment is essential for social and economic development. He called for expanded employment opportunities, childcare services, new labour laws, support for women-led SMEs and self-employment, low-interest credit, training, and action against predatory microfinance and unsafe foreign employment practices. He also urged focused government attention on the North and East, citing the needs of female-headed households, children with special needs, and orphans following the war, including over 90,000 female-headed households. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Hon. Krishnan Kalaichelvi highlighted the hardships faced by women in plantation communities, including long working hours, lack of basic field facilities such as toilets and rest areas, safety risks, and the absence of regular monthly wages. She called for monthly salary regularization, basic amenities, and an insurance scheme for estate workers, framing the long-standing wage issue as a human rights concern. She also expressed support for implementing the 2025 Budget allocations aimed at women, children, the sick and the elderly, including those in estate areas. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara urged gender-responsive budgeting across ministries, stronger coverage for widows and vulnerable women under Aswesuma, and improved wages and protections for women workers in the plantation sector and Free Trade Zones. He called for Sri Lanka to engage with the ILO “Decent Work” framework, for effective measures against sexual harassment in public transport, and for special courts or fast-track procedures to conclude rape cases without long delays. He also raised the unresolved disappearance of Ishara Sewwandi and requested that the Imams, Alwis, and Batalanda Reports be tabled in Parliament, while expressing support for advancing women’s political and social equality. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara commended recognition of women MPs and urged the Government to extend the 25 percent women’s quota from local authorities to Provincial Councils and Parliament before future elections. He raised concerns about low allocations to women and child affairs, workplace and online harassment, low female labour force participation, and the need to support women workers, particularly in the plantation sector. He asked whether the National Fund for Women under the Women’s Empowerment Act No. 37 of 2024 has been operationalized and funded, and sought clarity on implementation indicators for UNSC Resolution 1325 commitments. He also called for reforms to personal laws, including Thesavalamai and the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Law, and emphasized the need for reliable gender-disaggregated data. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha supported the Votes of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, describing the Budget as focused on women’s empowerment, family strengthening, poverty reduction and children’s rights. She highlighted the social and economic contribution of women, including migrant workers, and said the Government would improve protections through training, proper contracts, recognized agencies, a contributory pension scheme, loan schemes and education support for migrants’ children. She also raised the need to address basic service conditions for women police officers, including long-unmet requirements such as proper footwear. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake welcomed the Deputy Minister’s response on SVAT but urged that it should not be removed until a reliable VAT refund mechanism is operational, preferably through a point-of-sale approach rather than further bureaucracy. He argued that delays in linking ASYCUDA with 34 government institutions and high interest rates compared to regional competitors undermine exporters and economic growth. He also said IMF-related timelines should not dictate policy and called for coordination with the Central Bank to align monetary policy with government revenue and growth objectives. Question by Private Notice: Proposed Abolition of Simplified Value Added Tax Read →
- 8 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary On behalf of the Finance Minister, Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the removal of the SVAT scheme is not being undertaken abruptly, noting earlier proposals in the 2017 Budget and ongoing stakeholder consultations, training, IT upgrades, and a planned simulation by end-June to test the VAT refund process. He acknowledged exporters’ cash flow concerns but said SVAT had been misused and would not be abolished until a smooth, technology-supported refund system is in place. He also said interest rates should decline gradually through market conditions, with the Central Bank monitoring lending rates, and that tax reform would aim for a transparent VAT system with minimal avoidance rather than planning around expected evasion. Question by Private Notice: Proposed Abolition of Simplified Value Added Tax Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a Standing Order 27(2) question on the planned abolition of the Simplified VAT system in September 2025, warning that doing so without a reliable VAT refund mechanism could harm exporters’ cash flow, competitiveness and the Government’s US$ 19 billion export target. He asked the Minister of Finance whether exporters and business chambers had been consulted, what measures would guarantee timely refunds, and whether abolition would be postponed until a modernized and tested refund system is in place. He also questioned high commercial bank interest rates, possible expenditure-based tax relief for exporters, and the Government’s estimate of annual revenue lost through tax evasion. Question by Private Notice: Proposed Abolition of Simplified Value Added Tax Read →
- 8 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Marking International Women’s Day, the Prime Minister paid tribute to women’s struggles in Sri Lanka and noted the increased presence and voice of women in politics, including the 22 women MPs from the National People’s Power. She highlighted Sri Lanka’s low ranking in the Global Gender Gap Report, the limited representation of women in Parliament, and the gap between women’s high educational attainment and low labour force participation. She argued that unpaid care work must be treated as a social and national policy issue, calling for stronger social protection and services such as day-care, elder-care, public transport, health and education to support women’s participation and equality. Statement on International Women's Day Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Chanaka Madugoda thanked the Minister for the response and for assuring workers during a visit that they would not face injustice. The statement indicates support for the Minister’s handling of workers’ concerns. Oral Question: Casual Labourers Recruited to Ceylon Mineral Sands Limited (Q.444/2025) Read →
- 8 March 2025 Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that 118 employees at Ceylon Mineral Sands Limited had been recruited outside the approved cadre and procedure, including due to political preferences during the election period, and therefore had not been paid salaries. He said the company has sought approval from the Department of Public Enterprises to fill 118 approved labourer posts, after which the current casual workers will be placed properly, initially on contract from March, with no intention to terminate them. He added that payments outside the approved cadre would create audit issues and that job security would be ensured once formal approval is received. Oral Question: Casual Labourers Recruited to Ceylon Mineral Sands Limited (Q.444/2025) Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Chanaka Madugoda asked the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development about casual labourers recruited to Ceylon Mineral Sands Limited, Pulmudai, from 1 July 2024, who had allegedly not received salaries or allowances. He sought clarification on the reasons for non-payment, the steps to pay outstanding dues, and measures to ensure their job security. Oral Question: Casual Labourers Recruited to Ceylon Mineral Sands Limited (Q.444/2025) Read →
- 8 March 2025 CASUAL LABOURERS RECRUITED TO CEYLON MINERAL SANDS LIMITED: NON-PAYMENT OF SALARIES AI summary A question was raised regarding casual labourers recruited to Ceylon Mineral Sands Limited and the alleged non-payment of their salaries. The matter sought clarification on the status of these workers’ payments and any action being taken to resolve the issue. Oral Question: Casual Labourers Recruited to Ceylon Mineral Sands Limited (Q.444/2025) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan raised transport and infrastructure concerns in Batticaloa, requesting new bus driver appointments, replacement of ageing buses, and permanent appointments for long-serving temporary Road Development Authority workers. He also asked for salary relief for railway level crossing guards reportedly earning about Rs. 6,000 despite many years of service. He highlighted the displacement of around 300 families during the 1985 Valachchenai airport expansion, noting that alternative lands given in 1997 still lack deeds, and requested action to issue ownership documents and improve access by reopening or repairing a road along the airport fence. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said transport should be treated as an economic service that lowers production, commuting and logistics costs, rather than as a profit centre, and described the Rs. 483 billion allocation as part of a strategy to improve national competitiveness. He outlined proposals to optimize buses, trains, highways and waterways; expand rail freight, courier services, advertising, parking integration and value-added services; and use transport-related land, buildings and workshops as revenue-generating assets. He cited allocations for roads, bridges, railways, ports and airports, and said dry ports such as in the Wathupitiwala/Wayangoda area would be developed with Customs facilities to reduce Colombo Port congestion and support production zones. He invited Opposition and public input, arguing that transport planning must be aligned with production and economic revival. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →