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- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman raised concerns about estate communities affected by fires, citing the Shannon Estate incident where 26 houses burned and over 100 people were displaced, and asked the Government to classify such cases as disaster-affected and prevent exclusion by estate managers in housing or land allocation. He warned that plantation companies are using revenue-sharing arrangements to deny workers daily wages, EPF/ETF contributions, and other protections, and called for government intervention to ensure fair wages and social security. He also said estate workers are being excluded from Aswesuma benefits due to registration criteria, highlighted poor health access and rising poverty in the hill country, and urged correction of delimitation and Grama Niladhari boundaries so public services can reach plantation communities properly. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa outlined increases to supplementary medical professionals’ public holiday allowances, annual salary increments, overtime-related benefits, and basic salaries, along with PAYE tax relief that exempts Grade II and Grade I officers and gives limited relief to some Supra Grade officers. He said the package covers about 5,500 workers and is the maximum currently affordable to the economy. He urged supplementary medical professionals not to be misled by claims from trade union figures, to avoid strike action, report to work, and continue discussions on further improvements as economic conditions improve. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa clarified ahead of the Health Ministry Vote that a threatened doctors’ strike had been withdrawn after discussions and that health services were continuing normally. He said seven supplemental health professional cadres, including pharmacists, medical laboratory technologists, radiographers and therapists, had served significantly during the economic crisis and that the Government was increasing their remuneration to retain skilled staff. He outlined increases in basic salaries across grades, from about Rs. 22,000 at entry levels to about Rs. 43,320 at the highest grade, along with higher overtime hourly rates from April. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa challenged the Deputy Minister to verify directly with fishing communities at each harbour whether the amount and frequency of relief provided match the Government’s claims. He argued that the communities’ responses would reveal whether they are satisfied with the assistance. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that poverty eradication and community empowerment require accurate, consistent data, including a clear poverty definition, reliable household income and expenditure indicators, and targeting down to Divisional Secretariat and Grama Niladhari levels. He criticized the Government’s reliance on cash transfers without a broader programme for savings, investment, production and exports, and called for lessons from Samurdhi and Aswesuma to address exclusion and ineligible beneficiaries. He also demanded action on promised graduate employment and fuel relief for fishers and other vulnerable groups, supported stronger farmer and fisher pension and insurance schemes, and urged development of the blue economy within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone under a sustainable model. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi supported returning “Ocean Resources” to the Fisheries Ministry and proposed placing the Ocean University under it, arguing that Sri Lanka needs a dedicated institution and plan to develop ocean-based sectors sustainably. He criticized the 2025 Budget for insufficient support to fisheries, especially fuel relief, and proposed subsidized diesel through fisheries harbour outlets, alongside concessionary loans to refit laid-up multi-day vessels. He also called for a boat ambulance and rescue service, resumed upgrading of fish landing sites, consultation-based redrafting of fisheries law amendments, and rehabilitation of stalled or deteriorated harbour and anchorage projects including Rekawa, Marawila/Matallae, and Kirinda. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Asked the Government to state a concrete timeframe and measures for promoting tourism nationally, noting that demand has increased while supply-side facilities remain inadequate. He specifically questioned whether time-bound steps, including support similar to earlier refinance loan schemes for hotel developers, would be introduced to develop the industry and assist new entrants. Oral Question: Madunagala Tourist Project (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Plans were outlined to protect labour rights, recognize diverse forms of work, generate employment, and accelerate implementation and possible ratification of relevant ILO conventions, including those on workplace safety and protection. The management of the EPF and ETF was highlighted, noting their combined assets of about Rs. 4 trillion, with an emphasis on improving investment returns for workers’ retirement security. The Ministry aims to strengthen coordination with the Central Bank, digitize EPF/ETF services and Labour Department administration, and promote industrial peace as part of a broader shift in production relations. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha said the proposed Employment Statute could support improved production relations, but should not be rushed in a way that serves only selected interests. He noted protests from worker groups, particularly women workers’ unions, and said technical inconsistencies in combining about 13 statutes had been addressed in redrafting. He stated that, with Cabinet approval, a committee would be appointed with stakeholder participation to develop the law, focusing on productivity, shared responsibilities, reduced conflict, and industrial peace rather than narrow collective bargaining disputes. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha said Opposition members had raised some relevant issues but also made false claims, and he argued that the Government’s approach represents a broader shift in governance, including transparency on matters such as salaries, taxation and petroleum blocks. Responding to questions on employment, he stated that a Cabinet-appointed officials’ committee had identified 15,453 vacancies, with Cabinet approval already granted to recruit 7,456 persons and a further 2,003 posts recommended, supported by a Rs. 10 billion allocation. He said future public sector recruitment would be conducted systematically and according to rules, rather than through political patronage or irregular procedures. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Waruna Liyanage SJB AI summary Hon. Waruna Liyanage urged amendments to outdated labour laws, specifically the Factories Ordinance and the Shop and Office Employees Act, and called for stronger enforcement of EPF/ETF obligations, including settlement of arrears in state plantation estates and recruitment of more labour inspectors. He requested permanency and insurance-related relief for provincial and local government workers, improvements to the Agrahara scheme, and vehicle permit relief for entitled retiring public servants. He also raised concerns over reductions to MPs’ insurance and criticized recent local government election law changes, arguing that increased council membership, governance deadlocks, and unequal nomination deposits should be corrected. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe defended the Government’s public sector salary revision, rejecting Opposition claims that the increase was misleading and stating that the minimum public service salary would rise from Rs. 24,250 to Rs. 40,000. He said disputes raised by doctors concerned changes to leave and overtime allowance calculations rather than salary reductions, and noted that the GMOA had suspended its token strike following discussions. He acknowledged that the increase was not fully sufficient given inflation and living costs, but argued it was the best feasible measure in the Government’s first Budget after economic default, while also noting remaining pension anomalies to be addressed in future Budgets. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi raised concerns about unresolved service conditions in the public sector, including inadequate salary scales, transfer issues, and the absence of allowances for Economic Development Officers. He also noted unfulfilled commitments relating to Management Service officers, including renaming the service, implementing the MN-3 MoU, and filling MN-2 vacancies. He said graduates currently in minor grades should be absorbed into suitable public service posts, and that the Government would seek solutions through the Advisory Committee’s subcommittee process. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Budget provisions for the Ministries of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, and Labour, emphasizing increases to public servants’ basic salaries and annual increments across grades, as well as the raising of the PAYE tax threshold from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000. He said the Government would recruit 30,000 graduates through competitive examinations to fill vacancies, including attention to teacher service vacancies. He also referred to phased measures to address pension anomalies for retirees, principals and teachers, with Rs. 10,000 million allocated, and noted a proposal for a subcommittee to examine unresolved public service issues. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi raised concern over a fire that destroyed line-room housing in Senan Estate, Hatton, and used the Labour Ministry Committee Stage debate to highlight longstanding wage, housing, education and health issues affecting upcountry plantation workers. She argued that past governments failed to convert plantation workers from daily wage earners to salaried employees before the 1992 estate leasing arrangements, contributing to current hardship, and criticized the Opposition’s record on the issue. She cited factory closures and a decline in green leaf production, while stating that the current Government has increased allocations for upcountry communities from Rs. 10,068 million in 2023 to Rs. 16,738 million to address education, health, infrastructure and related needs. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara criticized the Government for raising expectations on public sector salary increases and then blaming the Opposition for resulting unrest, including recent disputes over fuel distributor commissions and health sector allowances. He urged the Government to engage unions and affected groups transparently, particularly over reductions to medical service allowances. He also proposed absorbing graduate minor-grade employees into Development Officer vacancies through provincial mechanisms and recruiting additional Sri Lanka Administrative Service candidates by lowering the exam cut-off to fill vacancies. He highlighted long-standing salary anomalies affecting management service officers, arguing that recent selective revisions, including for Grama Niladharis, have worsened disparities in the public service salary structure. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Dinindu Saman AI summary Hon. Dinindu Saman defended the Government’s allocations for public administration, emphasizing that the new salary increase for public servants was granted without trade union agitation and despite fiscal constraints. He argued that the increase strengthens basic salaries rather than relying on temporary allowances, raises annual increments by 80 percent, and increases the disaster loan limit from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 400,000. He criticized Opposition parties and some trade unions for misrepresenting the April salary changes in relation to Circular 03/2024 and urged public servants to support the Government’s broader programme to build an efficient public service. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy stated that a draft report containing recommendations on labour-related issues, based on discussions with relevant institutions, is not yet finalized but will be tabled later. He said the Ministry and Department of Labour could act on its findings, particularly to address irregularities in the Employees’ Provident Fund and to regularize wage-related practices. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy argued that the Department of Labour and related bodies are underutilizing their capacity, stating that less than 40 percent of possible work is being achieved despite the availability of institutions such as the National Productivity Secretariat and Labour Welfare Fund. He questioned recent administrative changes that separated or reassigned labour, productivity, and foreign employment functions, arguing that Labour and Foreign Employment should remain together to better address sectoral issues. He also noted that a draft report prepared during his chairmanship of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Foreign Employment and Labour had not been tabled because Parliament was dissolved, and said he hoped to present it later. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra clarified that she had not accused doctors or health workers of being thieves, while criticizing attempts to mislead the public on that issue. She focused on proposed labour law reforms, asking the Minister to state the current status of the draft review and stressing that reforms should proceed through proper tripartite consultation, including the National Labour Advisory Council. She criticized the 2023 draft as insufficiently consultative and inadequate in addressing women’s low labour force participation, urging the Ministry to prioritize recognition of unpaid care work through measures such as maternity benefits, childcare, and other supportive policies. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →