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 February 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Pushpa Kumara JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Pushpa Kumara argued that longstanding failures in health policy had left hospitals with inadequate infrastructure, staffing shortages, and poor retention of specialists and other health workers. He said the Government is expanding cardiac and cancer treatment capacity through new cath labs and ADB-funded linear accelerators, and cited severe specialist shortages in several Ratnapura District hospitals. He stated that relief measures such as raising the PAYE threshold, increasing allowances, updating outdated cadre requirements, and recruiting trained allied health personnel are intended to improve the health service in line with the Government’s policy declaration. Adjournment Debate: Monaragala Health Sector Issues Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad argued that Sri Lanka cannot rebuild or expand exports through import restrictions, high import taxes, or protectionist policies, because consumers and key export sectors depend heavily on imported goods and inputs. He said quality standards and enforcement should replace punitive duties, and cited the fertilizer restrictions under Gotabaya Rajapaksa as an example of how import controls damaged production. He identified high energy costs, restrictive land policies, and rigid labour laws as major barriers to investment and export growth, calling for reforms including lower energy costs, expanded wind and solar power in the North and East, and greater openness to market-based trade policy. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Nanda Bandara JJB AI summary Nanda Bandara said the Government was debating regulations under the Foreign Exchange Act and the Imports and Exports (Control) Act as part of efforts to rebuild the economy, strengthen foreign reserves, reduce import expenditure and expand export income. He argued that the NPP Government had stabilized reserves and introduced a transparent framework to resume vehicle imports after a five-year halt, balancing public transport, private needs and economic requirements. He also emphasized the need to modernize rail and public transport to support production and tourism, attributing improved conditions to political stability and reduced corruption. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister said the recent container congestion at Customs had been resolved through coordinated action, with inspections conducted according to risk-based criteria, and rejected allegations linking specific containers to illicit goods or the Western Province Governor. He explained measures to ease port space constraints and defended phased vehicle import relaxation based on improved reserves while protecting domestic assembly and foreign exchange. He also justified noise restrictions on tourism-related events as compliance with a Supreme Court ruling, outlined guaranteed paddy prices for the Maha season, and said the Government would prioritize rule of law, market regulation, and economic recovery. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa questioned several Government positions, arguing that policy announcements on tourism regulations, paddy pricing, vehicle imports, unemployment, and coconut shortages lacked consistency or timely implementation. He criticized the delayed paddy price decision, saying many farmers had already sold part of the Maha harvest below the announced Rs. 120 price, and asked whether campaign promises on cheaper vehicles would be honoured. He demanded that the Government disclose details of the reported release of 323 containers, clarify statements on Provincial Council Elections, and state its position on USAID-funded programmes in Sri Lanka. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the allocation of Rs. 23.8 billion for SriLankan Airlines’ debts, noting that about half would go to People’s Bank, and asked whether such public funds could instead support low-interest lending to SMEs. Referring to the Committee on Public Finance and the Central Bank’s role in monetary policy, he asked what measures the Government could take to ensure low-cost credit for SMEs and entrepreneurs without spending on loss-making State-owned enterprises. Oral Question: People's Bank - Corporate Governance and Operations (Q.294/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma stated that while the figures cited relate to past years, interest rates in 2025 have been gradually declining and state banks will reflect this in lending. He said commercial lending rates depend on borrower risk profiles, but Government concessionary schemes such as Odapana and SME loans provide credit at around 7 per cent through state banks. He acknowledged the need for affordable SME credit to revive the economy and said the Government has already taken measures in that direction. Oral Question: People's Bank - Corporate Governance and Operations (Q.294/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned why People’s Bank continues to charge loan interest rates of 17–18 percent despite lower administrative costs, declining interest rates, and increased profits. Referring to the difficulties faced by SMEs, he asked whether the bank’s lending rates could be corrected and reduced to around 8–10 percent. Oral Question: People's Bank - Corporate Governance and Operations (Q.294/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake asked the Prime Minister whether increasing exports is necessary for Sri Lanka to emerge from its debt difficulties and sought details on how the Government will address obstacles faced by exporters. He raised issues including high bank interest rates, delays and costs in container clearance, bottlenecks in government approvals affecting ease of doing business, and the possibility of 24-hour and pre-clearance systems with post-audit safeguards. He also asked whether rapid economic digitization and cashless transactions could reduce red tape and support automatic implementation of government policies. Oral Question: Export Growth and Economic Competitiveness (Q.292/2024) Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu rejected allegations of political interference by the NPP Government, stating that officials act independently and that any action taken has been limited to advising non-performing officials. He said illegal sand mining had been temporarily halted following a District Development Committee decision and that complaints involving old permits had been referred for legal action. He supported the Eravur textile zone established under the Strategic Development Projects Act Gazette of 30 July 2021, noting its expected employment benefits, export potential, and role in attracting investment. He also proposed upgrading Batticaloa Airport to international status and said environmental safeguards, including water and waste management measures, would be used to prevent harm to local resources. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Related Economic Measures Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister opened debate on economic stabilization measures, including a Gazette to establish a textile production zone in Eravur with a USD 35 million investment, tax concessions, projected returns of about USD 300 million, and around 490 direct jobs. He compared recent FDI figures with the Government’s reported USD 3.78 billion Hambantota refinery investment, argued that corruption allegations and demands for commissions deter investors, and questioned the outcomes of past foreign travel expenditure by MPs and officials. He also rejected claims linking reduced security for former Presidents to renewed insecurity in the North, citing recent electoral support across regions, and highlighted migration and suicide statistics as evidence of continuing economic and social pressures the Government says it seeks to address. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Related Economic Measures Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, raising a question under Standing Order 27(2), said passport issuance delays of three to four months had become a national problem, affecting especially those seeking overseas employment and allegedly encouraging unofficial payments. He asked the Minister to provide detailed figures on processing times, daily applications and issuances, pending applications since January 2024, booklet stocks and procurement plans. He also requested information on the current passport supplier, tender process and performance, and whether newly issued e-passports meet required quality standards, urging the Government to state when normal service would be restored. Question by Private Notice: Delay in Issuing Passports Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that efforts to bring informal economic activity into the formal sector must protect livelihoods and future security. He said informal vendors or structures should not be removed overnight without providing alternative sites or means of income, and that any such action would be accompanied by plans to integrate affected persons into the formal economy. Oral Question: Olcott Mawatha Traders and Floating Market Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera asked whether the Urban Development Authority plans another operation to remove pavement vendors, noting that some traders were previously removed under beautification efforts while others have since forcibly occupied those spaces. He sought clarification on rumours of a renewed removal campaign. Oral Question: Olcott Mawatha Traders and Floating Market Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Prof. Anil Jayantha stated that the Government would conduct detailed cost analyses to identify non-value-added activities and skills gaps for reform. He emphasized that efficiency and cost reduction in banking would be pursued through gradual digitalization and technology adoption, while maintaining selective physical outreach and considering international expansion. Oral Question No. 3 & 4 – 149/2024 & 176/2024: Bank of Ceylon Financial Status and Performance Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister, answering on behalf of the Minister of Finance, detailed expenditure and progress on BOI-related infrastructure up to 31 December 2024, including Rs. 290 million for internal works and Rs. 1,528.53 million for external infrastructure such as land acquisition, access roads, water supply and electricity. He outlined further development plans, including additional land vested in the BOI, continued road works with a Rs. 1,000 million Treasury request for 2025, expansion of water capacity to 10,000 m³ per day, and power supply increases up to 10 MW and later 20 MW. He also stated that internal roads, utilities, fencing and the entrance gate are scheduled for completion or expansion, mainly during 2025. Oral Question No. 1 – 103/2024: Bingiriya Export Processing Zone Infrastructure Facilities Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan said the Opposition’s role is to seek clarification from the Government and expressed concern over the Prime Minister’s response to his question on the Clean Sri Lanka programme, while stating support for the programme as a concept that should include social and attitudinal change. He called for plantation workers’ daily wages to be raised to Rs. 2,000, particularly if public sector salaries are increased in the Budget. He also disputed claims that there are no Tamil political prisoners, urging releases through presidential pardons, withdrawal of detention orders, or withdrawal of cases, and asked the Government to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act as previously pledged. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra JJB AI summary Hon. Arun Hemachandra argued that the Clean Sri Lanka programme should be understood as a broad reform agenda covering politics, the environment, public attitudes, governance, and digitalization, not only physical cleanliness. He said the Government had a mandate to address economic, social, and political crises and to transform institutions after long-term decline. Referring to his portfolios of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, he highlighted past problems including political appointments, weak diplomatic representation, and corruption allegations, and said a transparent software framework would be introduced at the Foreign Employment Bureau. He requested support for these reforms, or at least that they not be obstructed. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra JJB AI summary Hon. Arun Hemachandra said an inquiry into a recent irregularity found that the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment’s software systems were outdated and insecure, with sensitive data handled in editable MS Excel files. He said the Ministry had obtained expert advice from the University of Moratuwa and decided to comprehensively overhaul the SLBFE software system. He urged the Opposition to cooperate rather than make what he described as baseless criticisms, arguing that the Government is laying the institutional foundation for reform. He also referred to concerns raised by a foreign employment delegation that previous governments had sent unsuitable workers despite available vacancies. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Sellaththamby Thilaganathan JJB AI summary Hon. Sellaththamby Thilaganathan argued that the Vanni District’s resources, including forests and river sand, were exploited after 2009 under the guise of development, while key livelihoods such as agriculture, livestock and fishing were neglected. He called for grazing land to be allocated for livestock farmers, highlighted low milk producer prices, inadequate veterinary services in Mullaitivu, and the decline of animal husbandry’s contribution to national production. He also raised concerns about exam paper errors, the military occupation of the Co-operative Training School in Vavuniya, the continued closure of the Vavuniya Economic Centre, and the absence of Mahaweli water for the Vanni region, stating that the Government would address these issues. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →