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- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson moved a motion urging the Government to create a proper procurement mechanism for co-operative societies, arguing that the sector has declined due to politicization, weak purchasing standards, substandard goods, and lack of modernization. He proposed investigations into co-op purchasing practices, introduction of digital payment facilities, rotation of senior co-operative officers, and renovation of unused or dilapidated buildings and warehouses. Citing Polonnaruwa and national co-operative assets, he called for co-ops to be used to buy, store, mill, and sell paddy through small and medium mills, thereby reducing price control by a few major millers and improving outcomes for farmers and consumers. Private Members' Motion 2: Proper Procurement Programme for Co-operatives Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman argued that plantation infrastructure funding is structurally inadequate and that services such as roads, schools, hospitals, and housing should be handled by the relevant line ministries rather than a separate plantation portfolio. He said plantation communities need recognition rather than pity, noted that only a minority are estate workers, and called for increased allocations and simplified procedures, citing plantation company approvals as a major barrier to development. He asked the Government to clarify its housing and land policy for upcountry people, specifically whether it plans apartments, individual houses, land ownership, or evictions, and referred to previous Cabinet papers seeking land ownership for the community. Private Members' Motion 1: Acquisition of Estate Roads to the Government Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha seconded the Private Member’s Motion on developing estate roads, citing severe access problems in estate areas of Ratnapura District such as Kolonna, Rakwana, Balangoda, Ratnapura, Nivithigala and Kalawana. He said poor road conditions impede emergency transport and agricultural activity, affecting both estate communities and smallholders, and argued that estate roads should be vested in the Government and developed through Provincial Councils and local authorities. He also called for a programme to improve basic infrastructure, including roads and housing, for poor estate communities. Private Members' Motion 1: Acquisition of Estate Roads to the Government Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary A Cabinet Sub-Committee has been appointed to address the absorption of Development Officers currently engaged in teaching into the Teachers’ Service. The Minister stated that the Committee will also consider diploma-holders and unemployed graduates, and that concrete measures are expected to be reported to the House within two to three weeks with the aim of providing a fair and prompt solution. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson questioned the Deputy Minister on the shortage of about 30,000 teachers in government schools and the long-delayed absorption of Development Officers serving as teachers into the Teachers’ Service. Citing provincial figures and noting that around 16,000 such officers remain in schools, he asked when the Government would regularize their appointments, warning that failure to do so would harm students and worsen existing shortages. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister acknowledged that some B.Ed. graduates have not yet been recruited into the Teachers’ Service despite discussions on the issue. He stated that recruitment will be pursued through Provincial Councils as vacancies arise and that swift action will be taken to absorb the remaining qualified graduates. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson asked what action the Government will take regarding graduates who have completed specialized B.Ed. programmes but are unable to use those qualifications for other employment. He noted that some Provincial Governors have given them mostly temporary appointments, while many remain outside service. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised a question to the Minister of Energy regarding employees engaged by the Ceylon Electricity Board on casual or contract basis. The query sought information on the status, numbers, and employment conditions of such workers, likely in relation to regularization, service continuity, or policy measures affecting them. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Finance for updates on three Kalutara District industrial and investment projects: the Bandaragama–Millaniya Investment Promotion Zone, the Horana–Millawa Investment Promotion Zone, and the Raigampura Green Industrial Zone at Bandaragama–Galpatha. He sought details of expenditure to date, including a reported Rs. 360 million spent by the BOI on access to the Southern Expressway at Pelpola, and asked whether the Government would proceed with them as national-level economic development projects. He highlighted their importance for employment and industrial development in Kalutara District. Adjournment and Questions at Adjournment Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister provided figures on recruitment at the institution, stating that 310 employees were recruited from 2022 to 2024 and that the workforce has risen from 545 at the 2011 government takeover to 1,319 currently. He said a proposed cadre has been submitted for approval, and while shortages or excess cannot be formally determined before approval, there appears to be an excess, with December 2024 salary and overtime costs totaling about Rs. 132 million. He outlined measures to improve operations and revenue, including increasing factory capacity, upgrading ethanol quality, addressing wastewater management, using tourist bungalows for accommodation, diversifying into jaggery and treacle, and reducing brown sugar prices to increase consumption. Adjournment and Questions at Adjournment Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri asked the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development for details on recruitment to the Sevanagala Sugar Factory between 1 January 2022 and the 21 September 2024 Presidential Election. He requested figures on excess employees, the resulting additional monthly expenditure, and the Government’s planned measures for developing the factory. Adjournment and Questions at Adjournment Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna criticized the NPP Government and the Fisheries Minister, alleging intimidation, political targeting, and protection of the military from accountability for wartime killings. He raised concerns about nearly 3,000 unemployed graduates in Jaffna, issues affecting pavement vendors and bus routes, and questioned what elected representatives from Jaffna had done for the district. He also alleged that his phone was tracked and that his arrest was planned to prevent him from attending District Coordinating Committee meetings, stating that he would respond further in coming weeks. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage – Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports AI summary No substantive speech content was provided beyond the opening address to the Presiding Member, so there are no policy points, proposals, questions, or arguments to summarize. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Dinesh Hemantha JJB AI summary Hon. Dinesh Hemantha supported the operationalization of geographical indication regulations under the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003, arguing that long-delayed implementation had deprived Sri Lankan exporters and producers of higher-value market opportunities. He cited international and local examples, including Colombian coffee and Sri Lankan cinnamon, gems, crafts, masks and palm products, and said GI protection could improve prices and export prospects. He also defended the Government’s positions on land and labour reforms as aimed at fair production and income distribution, and said vehicle imports would be managed cautiously to protect foreign reserves, inflation stability and export competitiveness. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan urged the new government to address long-standing grievances of Indian-origin estate workers, citing historical statelessness, lagging education and employment, and current cost-of-living pressures. He called for the promised daily wage increase to Rs. 2,000, land rights with 10 perches per family, and individual housing rather than high-rise schemes in hill-country areas prone to landslides. Referring to the April 2024 parliamentary debate on hill-country issues and the government’s mandate, he asked the relevant plantation and community infrastructure ministers to implement solutions within a reasonable timeframe, and also requested relief for farmers in estate areas, including yam cultivators. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar tabled a response stating that shrimp production and export earnings have declined sharply, with Puttalam District output falling from 12,449 metric tons in 2021 to 9,115 metric tons by end-2023, affecting around 4,000 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs. He attributed the decline to higher electricity and feed costs, EHP disease, and VAT impacts on farmers, and noted that a meeting with SLADA and NAQDA had agreed on measures including a long-term industry plan, legal action against unlawful broodstock and seed practices, Best Management Practices for disease control, and NARA-led research in 2025 on suitable species, areas, and domestic breeding. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Nalinda Jayatissa said Sri Lanka requires 2,800 medical specialists under the 2018 approved cadre but currently has about 2,000 in service. He argued that specialist migration was due to multiple factors, including unmet benefits, political instability and lost expectations, not only vehicle permits. He stated that the Government is engaging with specialist associations and the Ministry of Finance to provide feasible relief, retain existing specialists, and encourage those who left the country to return. Oral Question: Sri Lanka National Hospital Procurement (Q.7/2024) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Five factories are currently operating in the relevant investment zone: Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Phylochem, Ceylon Fragrance Group, Empire Feed Mills, and Dongxia Industrial Lanka, covering pharmaceuticals, plant extracts, fragrances/cosmetics, animal feed, and export apparel. The Deputy Minister reported 429 direct jobs, 1,290 indirect jobs, and an estimated total employment impact of 3,465, noting that two projects are under construction and one is awaiting commercial operations. He stated that the zone is investment-ready and that the Board of Investment can allocate land once prospective investors make final decisions. Oral Question: Bingiriya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha asked the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies to provide details on the Bingiriya Export Processing Zone, including the number and names of operating factories, their categories, and the direct and indirect employment generated by each. He also requested information on whether any investors had signed agreements to establish new factories there, and if so, the relevant details. Oral Question: Bingiriya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister thanked Members for raising health-sector issues and said further responses would be provided during the Budget Committee Stage. He addressed concerns at Karapitiya National Hospital, stating that the cardiac catheterization issue should be resolved within 10 days, while procurement for a second cath lab machine requires retendering due to a supplier and cost discrepancy. He said the Government would expedite the transfer of 42 estate hospitals to the Central Government and had submitted a Cabinet paper to regularize about 600 dengue assistants. He also announced planned recruitments in the coming weeks and months, including nurses, PHIs/family health officers, pharmacists, radiographers and other technical staff, while noting that shortages of specialist doctors remain difficult to resolve immediately. Adjournment Debate: Monaragala Health Sector Issues Read →