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- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism for details on Sri Lankan workers sent to Korea, including the number of visas issued, the basis for sending workers under the E8 visa category, and how many workers had been sent. She also sought clarification on whether any of them were in distress and what action would be taken, and asked whether workers are sent only under E8 visas or under other visa categories as well. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake stated that his request was limited to obtaining unemployment data. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe noted that official data indicates unemployment is 8.4 per cent of an approximately 8 million-strong labour force. He said there are inconsistencies in labour-related data across the Labour Ministry and other ministries, and that recent discussions with ministry divisions had identified problems with the available figures. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Asked for the current unemployment rate as a second supplementary question. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister responded to a question on whether public sector salaries would be increased by Rs. 25,000. He stated that the Rs. 25,000 increase was a proposal made by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and that the Government does not accept that proposal. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe contrasted the current Government’s position on PAYE tax with the previous administration’s response to professionals’ demands for relief. He stated that the PAYE tax threshold will be raised to Rs. 150,000 and that there is no objection from the IMF to this change or to salary increases. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister JJB AI summary At the upcoming Budget, the Government will provide a significant salary increase for public servants in response to current living conditions. The Deputy Minister stated that the increase has already been announced, will be visible when the Budget is presented next month, and is not affected by the IMF agreement. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned how the Government intends to address unemployment and fulfil promised salary increases within IMF-agreed expenditure limits. He noted that public service salaries and pensions amount to 6 percent of GDP, or about one-third of the permitted total expenditure of 20 percent of GDP, and asked the Deputy Minister to explain the structured plan for managing these fiscal constraints. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said labour force projections indicate Sri Lanka’s workforce may remain around 8 million until 2035 before declining, while noting the source’s data limitations, and stated that the Government will focus on raising female labour force participation from its current low level. He explained that public service recruitment was suspended in 2022 under National Budget Circular 03/2022 but essential vacancies are now filled with Cabinet approval based on a committee process. He also stated that 2025 pension expenditure is projected at Rs. 393.07 billion for 737,352 pensioners, around 1.5 percent of GDP, but long-term retirement and pension projections are difficult due to variable retirement patterns, deaths, armed forces service rules, and future policy changes. The Government intends to improve pension and workforce-related data through digitalization of public administration. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe, responding on behalf of the Minister of Labour, provided labour force and public employment statistics, citing the 2023 Labour Force Survey figure of 8.4 million in the labour force, 8.0 million employed, and about 3 million informal sector workers. He set out selected annual figures for formal government and private sector employment, permanent and casual public servants, salary and emolument costs, and pension expenditure up to 2024. He stated that no government institution has prepared a formal 10-year labour force forecast, and that recruitment, pension cost and retiree projections depend on ongoing fiscal, administrative and policy decisions, with detailed projections to be provided once finalized. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Labour to provide year-by-year data on public and private sector labour force trends, Government employment numbers by permanent and casual categories, salary and emolument costs, and pension payments over the past five to ten years. He also requested projections for the next five to ten years on labour force trends, planned Government recruitment, pension expenditure, and the number of pensioners, or an explanation if such information cannot be provided. Oral Questions Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage raised concern over the impact of Rs. 50,000 fines on ordinary river miners, stating that they face hardship and lack alternative livelihoods. He requested the Minister to provide relief or address the issue for affected miners. Adjournment and Adjournment Questions Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media about the operations of Sri Lanka Thriposha Ltd., noting its role in addressing malnutrition and supporting employment. He sought details on its products and target groups, the current production status, difficulties in sourcing local raw materials and inter-ministerial responses, and the Government’s plans to restore the institution to support nutrition for children and pregnant mothers. Adjournment and Adjournment Questions Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana raised concerns about police enforcement affecting private buses and three-wheelers, including removal of bus decorations and Buddha statues, and urged that any safety-related removals be directed through the Motor Traffic Authority. He argued that private bus operators face unequal treatment compared with SLTB buses, high operating costs, and unresolved regulatory issues, including restrictions on ownership transfers under existing regulations and lack of practical EPF/ETF enforcement. He proposed regularizing bus ownership and operations, allowing medically fit drivers over 60 to renew licences annually, and convening authorities and industry representatives to develop practical solutions for the sector. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Arkam Ilyas JJB AI summary Hon. Arkam Ilyas supported regulations under the Port City Commission Act, arguing that the Colombo Port City and related legal changes should be used under strong government oversight to attract investment, revive construction, improve ease of doing business, and create jobs. He linked the need for such economic measures to youth unemployment, low wages, migration and brain drain, warning that reliance on remittances is unsustainable. He also noted risks including environmental impacts, unequal benefits, tax concessions, money laundering, and effects on local businesses, and called for safeguards to protect sovereignty and national security. He additionally rejected blame on the Government for red raw rice shortages in the South, attributing them to climatic changes and irrigation deficiencies. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara criticized the Government’s first 100 days, arguing that it had failed to deliver promised VAT reductions on essentials, medicines, fertilizer and school supplies, or to reduce fuel taxes and food prices. He contrasted this with measures taken during the first 100 days of the Good Governance administration, including salary increases, price reductions and independent commissions, and alleged that current parliamentary practices were weakening democratic participation. He questioned delays in fertilizer subsidy payments, reductions in senior citizens’ effective deposit interest, and targeted school assistance, while urging the Government to implement its “Clean Sri Lanka” and anti-corruption commitments, saying the Opposition would support genuine anti-corruption action. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan contrasted Sri Lanka’s post-independence economic standing with its current difficulties, while expressing support for the Government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” programme. He called for action over an alleged assault of a woman at the Periya Neelavanai Police Station after she attempted to lodge a complaint, and urged accountability for the officers involved. He also requested the Health Minister to regularize and improve the pay of Field Mosquito Control Assistants, address long-serving temporary Road Development Authority staff, and fill pending paramedical appointments in shortage areas such as Batticaloa. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary Kanthasamy Prabu outlined proposals to increase Batticaloa’s contribution to national production through sustainable use of natural resources, tourism, agriculture, fisheries, livestock, MSMEs and revival of abandoned industries. He called for action against illegal sand mining, deforestation and timber smuggling, and proposed solar power and electric fencing to address human-elephant conflict in border villages. He also urged upgrading Batticaloa Airport, introducing lagoon seaplane services, expanding vocational training, establishing an Ayurvedic hospital linked to tourism, opening Sathosa and Osusala outlets, and attracting diaspora investment to create factories, industrial zones and employment in the conflict-affected district. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana rejected Opposition criticism of the Government’s first 100 days, contrasting it with the Central Bank bond scam under the former Yahapalana administration and its alleged financial losses. He clarified that enforcement action on auxiliary fittings in buses and three-wheelers is based on an existing 2024 Motor Traffic circular, not a new Government measure, and said Police have been instructed to allow a grace period before filing cases. He argued that Sri Lanka needs a long-term transformative development strategy, drawing lessons from other countries without copying them, and said the Government would pursue a path between unplanned liberalization and blanket protectionism, including stronger planning for agriculture and domestic industry. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim criticized the Government for not using rice import tax revenue to support fertilizer provision or compensate farmers for crop losses at Rs. 40,000. He questioned the JVP-led Government’s approach to debt restructuring, saying it had previously opposed “odious debt” and promised audits similar to Ecuador’s 2008 debt review but had not acted on this in office. He also argued that domestic debt restructuring unfairly burdened workers through impacts on the EPF and ETF, and said the Government had failed to deliver the “system change” it pledged. Debate: Orders and Regulations (continued) Read →