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 April 2026 Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana asked the Minister whether Prima and Tokyo Cement, which operate in connection with the Port of Trincomalee and provide significant economic and employment benefits, have failed to pay harbour tonnage dues since inception as alleged by trade unions and local communities. He requested clarification on whether such dues are being paid, noting that comparable companies at Hambantota and Colombo Ports pay them, and asked whether any unpaid dues can and will be recovered. Oral Questions and Answers Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva defended the Government’s relief measures, citing a Rs. 10 billion package for low-income and Aswesuma beneficiaries, inflation control, and previous disaster relief payments. He said the Government had strengthened supply chains through engagement with Russia, India and China amid global fuel concerns, and welcomed the reopening of the refurbished Pettah Central Bus Stand with accessibility features under the Clean Sri Lanka initiative. He called for a passenger-centric transport system, expansion and protection of low-floor buses and SLTB’s Metro unit, and enforcement of EPF/ETF obligations for private bus workers while criticizing opposition to public transport subsidies and worker support payments. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. T.B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Government’s economic and welfare record during the debate on the current political and economic situation, arguing that it inherited a collapsed economy with import restrictions, recruitment freezes, halted salary increases and reduced welfare. He cited Budget measures including public sector salary increases, expanded welfare payments, higher fertilizer and Mahapola subsidies, school and health-related assistance, and increased housing and resettlement grants. He also outlined relief after the “Ditcha” cyclone, including housing reconstruction payments and support for small industries and fishers, and said further assistance would continue amid global economic pressures. He rejected Opposition criticism, contrasting the Government’s relief to low-income and affected communities with previous policies he said benefited large businesses. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake called for a clearer government economic policy focused on investment, job creation, SME growth, and productive credit, while questioning reliance on IMF and other international prescriptions alongside high domestic interest rates. He raised concerns over cost-of-living relief, rice imports, unpaid or delayed Mahapola stipends, and the need for consistency on privatization or commercialization of state enterprises. He proposed expanding private higher education to address limited university places and retain foreign exchange, and urged stronger Central Bank supervision and internal controls over large financial flows, citing NDB accounts and Section 80(2) of the Monetary Law. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha said investment incentives would be assessed case by case against national interest criteria such as foreign exchange, employment, technology transfer and infrastructure, replacing blanket tax holidays with a maximum 10-year limit and no extensions. He stated that a 15 per cent minimum tax aligned with BEPS principles is proposed to address profit shifting, while broader investment promotion would depend on political stability, transparency and ease of doing business. He also clarified that SSCL on motor vehicle imports would not cascade on secondary sales, and noted that new Central Bank Act rules allow exporters to invest domestically in dollar bonds. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha said the Government had achieved macroeconomic stability by 2025 despite major shocks, including the “8962” cyclone and global war-related disruptions affecting energy and fertilizer, and had provided relief through fiscal discipline, a Rs. 500 billion supplementary allocation, use of Budget reserves, and adjustments to other expenditure heads rather than a new Budget. He said targeted allocations would cushion vulnerable groups and that details of funding adjustments would be presented to Parliament. On the Strategic Development Projects Act regulations, he said amendments would make incentives more rule-based, using criteria such as foreign exchange inflows, job creation, technology transfer, and infrastructure development. He added that projects would undergo independent cost-benefit and socio-cultural assessment before approval and periodic review afterward, including possible termination if targets are not met. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the Government had maintained uninterrupted energy supply and industrial activity despite a 40-day global crisis, with no factory closures, job losses or power cuts. He cited reserves of USD 7.3 billion, debt repayments, vehicle import allocations, increased exports and remittances, and a Treasury surplus as evidence of economic stability and capacity for relief measures. He defended revisions to VAT and SSCL thresholds, QR-based payment formalization, changes to SSCL collection on imports, and a transparent BOI incentive framework, while noting forthcoming PPP legislation and equal investment incentives for domestic and foreign firms. He also argued that retaining key State enterprises such as the CEB and CPC supported current stability, and projected continued growth above 5 per cent with support from exports, remittances and dollar bond investment. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala criticized the Government’s relief efforts, saying promised assistance after the “Ditsa” cyclone, especially for damaged houses, had made little progress and urging that newly announced relief not suffer the same fate. He argued that poverty has risen, public servants and low-income groups are struggling ahead of the New Year, and repeated tax, fuel, gas, and electricity price increases have worsened pressures on SMEs and manufacturers. He also raised concerns over alleged low-quality coal procurement, unannounced power cuts, inadequate support for farmers, and called on the Government to use its parliamentary majority to implement a livelihood-support programme, while stating the Opposition would cooperate to reduce public hardship. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad argued that attracting investment requires improving business confidence and addressing practical operational problems faced by both export factories and domestic enterprises, rather than relying only on tax policy or pressuring firms over bonuses during an economic downturn. He called for faster legal and administrative remedies for issues such as theft, bounced cheques, and enforcement burdens on small industries, including simplifying taxation of imported beedi leaves. He opposed any move to refer COPE findings directly to the CID, saying it could undermine parliamentary oversight and due process, and urged consultation with former COPE Chairs. He also asked the Sports Minister to address instability in cricket, called for regulation of online sports betting alongside stronger anti-fixing and anti-doping laws, and sought clarification and action over the President’s statement that substandard coal had been imported. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Supported the Orders under the Convention against Doping in Sports, the Government’s approach to Port City benefits, and measures to ease public burdens, while criticizing Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe over past claims that rice imports would cease and questioning continued imports. Raised delays in enrolling students selected for the University of Colombo Faculty of Nursing, and in appointing 46 qualified national school principals whose results are before the Public Service Commission. Urged action on regularizing over 80 unpaid casual workers at the Pulmude Mineral Sands Company instead of new recruitment, and called for implementation of Cabinet-approved MSME relief loans, noting delays by banks and administrative bodies. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim criticized government tax policy as favoring foreign investors through 10-year tax holidays while imposing heavier taxes and enforcement on domestic small industries, citing the beedi sector’s increased tendu leaf import duty, higher per-stick tax, raids, fines, closures, and declining number of licensed producers. He argued that cigarette tax policy had reduced State revenue by not applying the pricing formula, estimating a Rs. 9.48 billion loss and a decline in the tax-in-price ratio from 74 percent to 68 percent. He said foreign investment should be encouraged through consistent trade and investment policy, rule of law, investment protection, foreign exchange safeguards, the National Single Window, and accession to the Madrid Protocol rather than tax holidays. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading and Related Orders (Chair Change - Introduction) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined amendments to the Social Security Contribution Levy Bill to charge the levy on imported motor vehicles at importation rather than resale, and to reduce the annual turnover liability threshold from Rs. 60 million to Rs. 36 million. He said the Government’s revenue strategy is based on tax administration technology, simplification, base-broadening and compliance, while citing recent tax relief measures and higher Inland Revenue Department collection targets. He also described rules allowing exporters to invest up to 10 per cent of repatriated export proceeds in domestic dollar bonds, and a rule-based Strategic Development Projects tax exemption framework intended to replace ad hoc concessions and support the Government’s 2026 investment targets. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading and Related Orders (Chair Change - Introduction) Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni stated that doctors assigned to specific duty stations have been instructed to report to work by the end of the month, failing which their salaries will be withheld. He added that the specific case raised would be examined and appropriate action taken. Oral Question: Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children - Waiting Lists (Q.1030/2025) Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary Around 7,000 long-delayed doctor transfers are being implemented, which may cause temporary staffing shortages until replacements take up posts. The Minister stated that the process is expected to be completed by the end of May and that vacancies will be filled. He also assured Parliament that there is no intention to downgrade Laggala’s grade. Oral Question: Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children - Waiting Lists (Q.1030/2025) Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy raised concerns about unresolved issues affecting small boat owners and workers, contrasting them with better-regulated large fishing vessels. He alleged unequal treatment of fishermen, claiming banned fishing methods are tolerated in the Minister’s area while fishermen in Kalpitiya are targeted more harshly. He urged the Government to bring forward the long-pending Fisheries Bill, under preparation since 2018–2019 and covering matters such as madal, trawling and NARA findings, and asked when it would be introduced to protect fishermen’s livelihoods. Oral Question: Fishermen in Puttalam District - Fuel Subsidy (Q.749/2025) Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha presented the 2024 Annual Report of the National Institute of Labour Studies. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Auditor-General's Report and Ministry Annual Reports Tabling Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary J.C. Alawathuwala noted that Sri Lanka’s foreign income sources, including exports, tourism, and migrant worker remittances, were already under pressure before the recent Middle East conflict. He said over one million Sri Lankan workers are in Middle Eastern countries, listing major host countries, and warned they may face exploitation, hardship, or expulsion similar to situations during the pandemic. He urged the Government to act urgently through Sri Lankan embassies to protect these workers and address their problems, with particular attention to reports from the UAE. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan raised concerns about the economic impact of fuel and gas shortages, especially in the Vanni, where long queues, hoarding and overpricing were affecting communities. He said farmers and fishermen were particularly affected by limited fuel allocations and proposed priority fuel access for their organizations upon formal requests. He also urged that fuel-saving measures such as a Wednesday public holiday should consider daily wage earners, and suggested an arrangement with India to secure continuous supplies of fuel and essential goods. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti said the Government had prioritized fuel allocation to 21 industrial and service sectors, especially exporters and value-chain institutions, rather than individual vehicles, to keep the economy functioning during the fuel crisis. He provided figures on institutional requests, CPC load approvals and sectoral allocations, and said mechanisms through companies, associations, Divisional Secretaries and relevant ministries were being used to address micro-entities and special cases. He stated that the Government aimed to keep the economy open, protect export and tourism markets while maintaining neutrality in the wider conflict, and would table detailed fuel allocation documents in Hansard to show actions taken. He also thanked public officers and ministries involved in coordinating essential services and industrial fuel distribution. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hector Appuhamy questioned whether Sri Lanka’s claimed neutrality amid the war amounts to inaction, urging stronger humanitarian responses and disclosure and parliamentary debate on agreements with the United States and India. He demanded accountability over alleged substandard coal supplies, warned against blaming future power cuts on the war, and called for stronger support for migrant workers and their families. He also urged the Government to negotiate stable fuel arrangements with India and China, present clear future plans rather than statistics, and use fuel tax revenue to provide targeted relief to sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and exports. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →