Topic
Women & Children
458 speeches · 144 speakers
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By the speaker's party · counts only, no scoring. "Unattributed" = speeches not resolved to an MP.
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Speeches
458 on this topic- 10 June 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra raised a privilege matter concerning a confidential Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus meeting held on 5 June 2026 about a child abuse case in Anuradhapura involving multiple court proceedings. She said information from the meeting had been leaked and misrepresented in a BBC Sinhala article published on 8 June, despite officials being warned that disclosure could affect the child’s protection, investigations and court proceedings. She requested that the article be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges under Sections 5, 6 and 7 of Part A of the Schedule to the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, and rejected several statements attributed to her as false. Procedural: Questions of Privilege and Motions Read →
- 10 June 2026 Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva raised concerns about the low travel allowance of Rs. 2,000 for central Government Social Services Officers and disparities with provincial officers. He said these officers are frontline workers supporting persons with disabilities but face difficulties covering their areas, while retirements and departures from service also require regularization. He asked whether the forthcoming Budget could increase travel allowances for central Government Social Services Officers involved in disability assistance. Oral Question: School Dropouts Since 2010 (Q.3) Read →
- 10 June 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the monthly disability allowance is Rs. 10,000, following the 2025 Budget increase, and that 171,957 people currently receive it, with applications accepted continuously up to the gazetted ceiling of 200,000. He said eligibility is based on medical certification and household per-capita income below the official poverty line of Rs. 16,191, with no restriction on multiple eligible persons in one family or on receiving Aswesuma or other livelihood support. He added that Rs. 19 billion has been allocated for 2026, the previous waiting list was ended from April 2025, and payments are scheduled monthly before the 15th through Divisional Secretariats. Oral Question: School Dropouts Since 2010 (Q.3) Read →
- 10 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya argued that the previous electoral system was rejected by voters and had unresolved flaws, including inadequate women’s and youth representation, weak single-member accountability, and corruption linked to preferential voting. She said the Government is working to correct these deficiencies before holding elections and called on Members to help expedite the relevant Committee’s work. Procedural: Points of Order and Supplementary Questions Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Jeevan Thondaman questioned the need for emergency powers and alleged that plantation workers are not properly receiving wage increases, calling for direct payment mechanisms, enforcement against estate companies, and a monitoring committee for government allocations to large estates. He disputed government claims on hill-country housing, saying an India-funded scheme had already been revived and approved under his tenure but was delayed after the change of government due to beneficiary-list changes, and claimed no promised new houses had yet been built. He also called for a Parliamentary Select Committee, involving party leaders and the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, to address child abuse following the alleged rape of an 11-year-old linked to a religious institution. He further criticized selective use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and reiterated concerns over increased workloads and targets for plantation workers. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 21 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Minister explained that Muruththanai GN Division in Koralaipattu South, Batticaloa, was selected under the 2025 programme to uplift difficult villages following a recommendation by the District Secretary. He cited data showing high multidimensional poverty, repeated war displacement, low incomes, many temporary houses, female-headed households and persons with disabilities, and no residents employed in government, semi-government or formal private sector jobs. He stated that these socio-economic conditions formed the basis for the Ministry’s development interventions in the village. Oral Question Q.1770/2025: Rural Development Bureau Projects in Batticaloa District Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana JJB AI summary Dr. Namal Sudarshana stated that Sri Lanka had not previously had a standalone national policy on preschool education, despite the 2008 National Policy on Early Childhood Development. He said a National Preschool Policy is now in its final stage, developed by the Ministries of Education and Women and Child Affairs with the National Institute of Education, prioritizing equitable access for all children regardless of socio-economic status or disability. He also noted that a Five-Year Action Plan for 2026–2030 on Early Childhood Development has been prepared with the involvement of the Ministries of Women and Child Affairs, Education, and Health. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva asked the Deputy Minister what provision the Ministry has made in the National Child Policy for including children aged 3–5 with special educational needs in preschools. Referring to the Rs. 5,000 monthly allowance introduced in recent Budgets for children with neurological disabilities and developmental delays, he sought details on the inclusive policy and programme planned to ensure fair early childhood opportunities within the preschool system. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana JJB AI summary Under the Government’s digitalization initiative, data systems are being developed across ministries, including the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. Allocations were provided last year and this year, and the system is being implemented with the Ministry of Digital Economy, with completion expected by the end of the year. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Ministry currently lacks data on children with disabilities aged 3–5, but is developing a mechanism and will collect relevant information through the forthcoming preschool census. He outlined measures to support inclusive preschool education, including national ECD standards on accessible facilities, inclusive spaces and appropriate learning assessments, as well as increased enrolment through the Morning Meal Programme. He noted that preschool admissions are handled by provincial authorities under devolved functions, and said teacher training includes 50 hours on children with disabilities, with further 2026 plans for capacity-building and an autism awareness handbook. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath highlighted suicide prevention as a sensitive national issue, identifying causes such as examination pressure, family conflict, social acceptance pressures, online harassment, mental health conditions, trauma, economic hardship, imitation, and harmful media content. He urged legal action against publicizing or glamorizing suicide methods, closer attention to online games and digital risks, and consideration of these issues in new legislation. He proposed a 24-hour national rapid response unit or emergency hotline, with a task force to intervene when at-risk individuals are reported, and called for reducing stigma around mental healthcare. He also supported including character development in education reforms, potentially as a compulsory subject, to strengthen resilience among children and students. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.60/2025 - Preventing Suicide Among Young Children Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Dinindu Saman Hennayake - Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Dinindu Saman Hennayake thanked Hon. Lal Premanath for raising youth suicide and noted that, while Sri Lanka’s suicide rate has declined from earlier levels, it remains above the global average. He identified mental stress from educational competition, parental expectations, relationship breakdowns, family conflict and cyberbullying as key contributing factors, and linked the Government’s education reforms to efforts to reduce pressure on adolescents. He said the Ministry of Youth Affairs is developing preventive measures, including a Youth App for confidential counselling, youth engagement programmes through the National Youth Services Council and National Youth Corps, and a National Research Conference on Youth Development with a focus on youth mental stress. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.60/2025 - Preventing Suicide Among Young Children Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Aruna Panagoda JJB AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda supported the motion on preventing youth suicide, citing frequent cases and estimating that 3,000 to 3,500 young lives are lost annually over issues such as examinations, workplace problems, and school-related stress. He argued for long-term social interventions through the education system, including character-building, counselling, extracurricular activities, stronger family relationships, and closer teacher-student engagement. He also urged electronic and social media, and Parliament itself, to act responsibly and avoid conduct that could negatively affect individuals, families, and social attitudes. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.60/2025 - Preventing Suicide Among Young Children Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Lal Premanath moved a resolution calling for deeper intervention by political authorities, officials, the media and the public to prevent youth suicide, arguing that existing counselling, university training and hospital psychiatric services remain inadequate. He cited high risks among school-age girls linked to relationship, exam, family and online pressures, and among young men linked to drugs, unemployment, economic stress and domestic disputes, while noting stigma and poor coordination between schools, police, divisional offices and hospitals. He urged increased funding at district and divisional levels, use of community structures such as “Praja Shakthi”, stronger roles for the Youth and Sports Ministry, field-oriented counselling, resilience education, responsible media reporting, parental awareness of social media and gaming risks, and the creation of a national rapid-response unit. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.60/2025 - Preventing Suicide Among Young Children Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy supported the motion to establish a legally empowered unit to address problems faced by migrant workers, highlighting their major contribution to remittances and the economy. He called for stronger laws and enforcement against exploitative foreign employment agents, trafficking networks, and illegal agencies, noting increased complaints in 2024 and reports of abuse in Oman and the UAE. He proposed linking a special investigative unit with the CID or Police to handle cases involving torture, sexual violence, fraud, and insurance-related exploitation, and urged bilateral legal agreements to better protect Sri Lankan workers abroad. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.33/2025 - Setting up of a Unit with Legal Powers to Solve Problems Faced by Migrant Employees Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Hector Appuhamy) SJB AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism seeking detailed SLBFE data on registered Sri Lankan housemaids who left for overseas employment from 2015 to date, including annual and country-wise figures. It also asked whether their records are maintained in the SLBFE data system, the numbers who died, committed suicide, or suffered accidents, and what welfare measures are taken by the Bureau for them. Second Round of Oral Questions (Q.10 and Tabled Answers) Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Asked whether mobile units could be established in remote northern villages or public places to help women and children lodge complaints more easily. The question highlighted access barriers faced by women and children in those areas. Oral Question 4: Cybercrime Cases Against Women Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy raised concerns about resource gaps in the Computer Crime Investigation Subunit established in Jaffna in 2025 and called for stronger operations in Jaffna and the wider North. He asked whether programmes or budget allocations exist to provide victims, particularly women and children, with compensation and psychological counselling. Oral Question 4: Cybercrime Cases Against Women Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister provided a written-style response on cases against women reported from 2023 to 2025, stating that Police records show 11,004 cases reported, 2,309 resolved, and 7,695 pending, with provincial details maintained by the Ministry. He said resolution times vary from a few months to up to two years depending on complexity. He outlined measures against online violence, including AI-assisted detection with SLCERT and social media platforms, public awareness programmes, expanded regional cybercrime investigations, use of powers under the Online Safety Act, No. 09 of 2024, and emergency assistance through 1938 and 1929. Oral Question 4: Cybercrime Cases Against Women Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy asked the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs for province-wise data over the past three years on cybercrime cases involving offences against women, including resolved cases, pending investigations or prosecutions, and average resolution times. He also sought information on whether dedicated cybercrime units exist in each province, including the Northern Province, and whether measures such as AI-based monitoring, public awareness programmes, and stronger enforcement have been implemented to improve women’s digital safety. Oral Question 4: Cybercrime Cases Against Women Read →