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- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary The Minister supported the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill, stating that it would help revive failing businesses, facilitate efficient liquidation where necessary, and create better opportunities for entrepreneurs affected by insolvency or external economic factors. He also criticised the Opposition for not engaging with the Bill’s substance. Separately, he outlined concerns about the decline of Sri Lankan cricket and said he had appointed an Interim Cricket Committee, chaired by Eran Wickramaratne and including former cricketers such as Sidath Wettimuny, Kumar Sangakkara, and Roshan Mahanama, to reform Sri Lanka Cricket and strengthen the sport’s future. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan urged the Government to expand preschools operated by local authorities, especially in poor and war-affected areas in the North and East, where private preschool fees limit access for children. He requested an appropriate circular and funding arrangements through the Government or local authorities. He also called for a province-wise committee to review 300–400 former volunteer teachers allegedly denied appointments for political reasons, and to provide relief through permanent appointments or teacher assistant positions by revising past circulars where necessary. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Points of Order Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, under Standing Order 27(2), about regulating preschool education and creating a uniform national system with salary structures and benefits for preschool teachers. He also proposed reviewing the preschool-to-Grade 1 transition, including reducing the preschool period and setting Grade 1 admission at age five. He raised concerns about schools nationalized in 2014 without new cadre creation and urged action on volunteer teachers, especially in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, who remain without permanent appointments despite Cabinet approval, interviews, or wartime service. He requested a special committee to study their cases and either grant permanent appointments or absorb them as teacher assistants. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Points of Order Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister stated that recent expansion of university intakes, programmes, and faculties had not been matched by adequate planning for facilities and staffing. She said the Government’s current priority is improving quality within existing structures, better managing human resources, and ensuring staffing for both teaching and research. She noted that a committee is assessing these needs, a cadre review will be undertaken, and universities have been permitted to fill academic and non-academic vacancies, including over 3,000 academic posts approved last year. Oral Question: GCE Advanced Level Examination Results and Higher Education Reforms Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe defended the approval of four rules and orders under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, No. 11 of 2021, stating that despite earlier criticisms of the project, the Government’s responsibility is now to regularize and continue it while preventing future irregularities. He cited measures including flexible use of the USD 2,000 duty-free allowance and labour arrangements tailored to Port City operations. He also responded to Opposition criticism over May Day events, corruption cases, and alleged frauds, asserting that pending investigations and court matters should proceed through proper legal and institutional processes. Debate: Port City Economic Commission Regulations and Orders Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Nimal Palihena JJB AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena supported the regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, arguing that, regardless of earlier criticisms of the project, the Port City should now be used to attract investment, tourism spending, and foreign exchange. He said the proposed duty-free rules would allow eligible travellers to make two transactions of up to USD 2,000 within a four-day period, increasing sales volume and the State’s 7 percent levy revenue. He also referred to amendments on employment contracts and termination in Port City operations, stating that these rules are intended to provide investor confidence while operating within the legal framework. Debate: Port City Economic Commission Regulations and Orders Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB AI summary Hon. M.K.M. Aslam supported the orders under the Port City Act, arguing that duty-free retail provisions and bespoke employment frameworks are necessary to attract foreign investment and suit the Port City’s role as a specialised commercial precinct. He defended the Government’s record on workers, education, and health, citing planned pay increases and higher budget allocations, and said economic indicators showed stability despite external shocks. He also stated that the Government’s five-year national plan is inclusive, anti-corruption, and focused on public safety, narcotics control, and protecting all communities. Debate: Port City Economic Commission Regulations and Orders Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe defended amendments to the Port City framework, stating they are intended to ensure accountability to Parliament, align with international free zone standards, and promote commerce through duty-free measures such as extending the US$2,000 purchase window. He cited investment leads, approved projects, growth, inflation, BOI inflows, private sector credit, and tax-to-GDP figures to argue that the economy is stabilising under current policies, while describing the merger of SSCL for financial services into a single levy as tax simplification. He also said corruption investigations are proceeding through strengthened institutions without political interference, and asserted that investment outcomes are expected in 2026-27 despite global challenges. Debate: Port City Economic Commission Regulations and Orders Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva argued that the effective indirect tax burden on ordinary consumers is higher than the 18 per cent VAT rate when the 2.5 per cent SSCL is treated as a VAT-like impost. He also questioned the Government’s proposed removal, in the Port City context, of the requirement to obtain the Commissioner of Labour’s permission before terminating employment, contrasting it with the Government’s stated pro-worker position during elections and asking the State Minister to clarify the change. Debate: Port City Economic Commission Regulations and Orders Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government’s medium-term policy aims for 7% growth, supported by higher FDI, with USD 1,057 million secured in 2025 and a USD 2 billion target for 2026, and cited Port City amendments intended to attract investment through incentives, import provisions, and construction-related changes. He clarified that the 2026 Budget VAT reforms do not raise the public VAT rate, which remains 18%, and that for banks and financial institutions the existing 18% VAT on financial services plus 2.5% SSCL will be consolidated into a single 20.5% VOFS from 1 July with no net increase. He also said e-invoicing and POS integration are being advanced to improve tax administration, compliance, and refunds. Debate: Port City Economic Commission Regulations and Orders Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister said the Ministry and NAQDA face significant cadre vacancies and that an approved programme is being implemented to fill them. He stated that new hatcheries are being established and a major sea cucumber programme is planned, with the aim of involving more than 1,000 additional people by the end of the year. He added that the Ministry would consider the issues raised and keep Parliament informed. Oral Questions Q.7-Q.9: Education Statistics, Aquaculture, CEB and SriLankan Airlines Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara alleged that losses from a coal procurement fraud should be recovered from those responsible and linked this to concerns over the restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board. He questioned the Government about reported suspicious employee deaths, delayed voluntary retirement payments to workers who relied on union assurances, and asked whether and when those payments would be made, including whether bank support would be required. Oral Question Q.4 (568/2025): Loans Obtained from State Banks by CEB Read →
- 5 May 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva briefly explained several instruments tabled, including Port City duty-free provisions allowing multiple USD 2,000 purchases within a year, amendments to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, Motor Traffic regulations on preferred vehicle numbers, and the Rehabilitation, Reorganization and Insolvency Bill. He noted concern that Port City employers may terminate employees without the Commissioner of Labour’s recommendation following court-directed changes to the Act. On the insolvency proposals, he welcomed the shift from liquidation to restructuring for defaulting SMEs but urged that the court-supervised negotiation period with creditors be extendable from 60 days to around 180 days. Papers: Reports and Regulations Tabled Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to provide details on current non-academic vacancies in State universities. He requested information on non-academic staff recruited since 2019, including their names, posts and addresses, and asked what measures would be taken to ensure future recruitment to such vacancies is conducted transparently. Oral Question: Non-Academic Staff of State Universities (Q.25/2024) Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan opposed the extension of the State of Emergency, stating that his party and alliance have consistently objected to emergency laws because they are used to suppress public protests. He said they support government action to prosecute all those involved in the Easter Sunday attacks, as well as measures against corruption and narcotics, while reserving the right to criticize government errors. He commended high-achieving GCE A/L students from Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya, and raised local concerns including the release of Navy-held lands such as Mullikulam, reducing soil prices in Mannar by regulating supply through local authorities, investigating irregularities in school ground projects, and providing employment opportunities for Tamil youth, particularly women. Debate on Regulations under Defence Acts and Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha responded to questions on debt restructuring and CESS, stating that prior answers and annexures would be tabled and that borrowers who engaged with banks received available relief. He said the phasing out of para-tariffs, including CESS changes, was not an IMF condition but part of tax streamlining and fiscal consolidation based on an HS-code framework developed with stakeholder consultation. He added that MSMEs currently contribute less than 10% of export earnings and that the Government plans to present a strategy to raise this to 25%. Ministerial Statements on Economic Policy Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa said MSMEs, which the Finance Minister had acknowledged contribute 52% of GDP, are under severe pressure from recent crises and from the IMF-linked gradual removal of CESS protections. He argued that the suspension of parate execution was not accompanied by debt restructuring or relief for over-indebted SMEs, and asked whether the Government has a programme to protect them and develop export-oriented industry. He warned that major manufacturers such as Brandix and MAS Holdings are relocating operations to Indian states including Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, and proposed dedicated industrial parks and stronger support measures to retain factories and jobs in Sri Lanka. Ministerial Statements on Economic Policy Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary The Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on MSMEs, stating that they contribute about 52 percent of GDP and less than 10 percent of export earnings, with 1.037 million establishments operating and 108,000 closed due to the economic crisis according to 2022 survey data. He outlined 2025 credit disbursements across five schemes and said Rs. 95.686 billion in credit packages is planned for 2026, including refinance, ADB-funded and interest-subsidized schemes, plus a collateral-free credit guarantee programme backed two-thirds by the Treasury. He also referred to Central Bank circulars providing loan restructuring, interest waivers, moratoria and working capital support for MSMEs affected by economic conditions, natural disasters and Cyclone “Micha,” and placed related documents in the Library. Ministerial Statements on Economic Policy Read →
- 9 April 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna said sports coaches have contributed to producing national and international athletes and that discussions have been held on their entry into the teacher service. He stated that graduate coaches would be accommodated in forthcoming limited competitive recruitments, while continuous professional development, joint training with the Sports and Education Ministries, overseas opportunities, and school-cluster assignments would be implemented. He also said a joint committee with the Sports Ministry would develop a programme to strengthen coaches’ professional specialisation and support schools without Physical Education teachers. Oral Questions and Answers Read →
- 9 April 2026 Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera noted that many coaches recruited with O/L qualifications have since obtained A/Ls, degrees, or higher qualifications, with some seeking entry into the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service. He asked what plans exist to improve their professional development and integrate them productively into the education system. Oral Questions and Answers Read →