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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- 17 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana – Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana supported the regulations under the Convention against Doping in Sport Act, incorporating WADA’s 2025 prohibited list, and stressed the need to educate athletes about common medications that may trigger anti-doping violations. He noted examples such as beta-agonists, corticosteroids and beta-blockers, and urged stronger awareness by the Ministry. He also referred to increased nutrition stipends for sports school students, strengthening school-level sport, early childhood play, and Youth Clubs at GN division level as measures to promote a healthy and socially cohesive generation. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sports Regulations Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi supported giving domestic effect to WADA’s annually updated prohibited substances and methods list, arguing that anti-doping regulation is necessary to protect fair competition and the futures of young athletes. She cited international and Sri Lankan examples of doping-related sanctions and called for awareness and testing to extend to schools, alongside equal opportunities for rural and under-resourced athletes. She also referred to government initiatives including an all-island clean sport programme, planned sports schools in five provinces, doubled stipends for sports school students, and efforts to attract investment into sports infrastructure. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sports Regulations Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister of Women and Child Affairs said incidents of abuse highlight the need to strengthen and, where necessary, reform laws and procedures. She emphasized that abuse affects men, women, and children in multiple contexts, and stated that the Government is committed to programmes aimed at building a more humane and caring society. Adjournment: Adjournment Motion and Questions Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy raised concerns about women’s safety, citing recent incidents in Vavuniya involving the decapitation of a woman and the death of a female government officer in a fire. He argued that empowering women would support economic growth, reduce State expenditure, and lessen reliance on subsidies, while thanking the Minister for the responses given. Adjournment: Adjournment Motion and Questions Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister said official labour force statistics understate women’s contributions by excluding unpaid care, household and voluntary work, and outlined a rights-based approach to increase women’s economic participation, particularly in rural and conflict-affected Northern Province districts. She detailed programmes for female-headed households, entrepreneurship, vocational training, market linkages, safe-house reintegration support, and coordination through Women Development Officers, Advisory Assistants, the Women’s Bureau, NGOs and other ministries. She said that from 2026 the Ministry would formally coordinate women’s empowerment funding across ministries and NGOs, and noted planned social security, pension and livelihood support measures, including prioritising female-headed households under the Praja Shakthi Programme. She also undertook to consider concessional two-wheelers for marginalized women in the North and loans for women entrepreneurs. Adjournment: Adjournment Motion and Questions Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy raised Adjournment Questions to the Minister of Women and Child Affairs on low female labour force participation, citing World Bank 2024 data that only 31.6 percent of Sri Lankan women participate in the workforce despite women comprising about 52 percent of the population. He asked what policies, funding, social protection, vocational training, and livelihood programmes are in place or planned, particularly for rural areas, the war-affected North and East, female-headed households, and women entrepreneurs. He also requested consideration of concessional two-wheelers, loan schemes, and part-time work opportunities to support women’s economic participation. Adjournment: Adjournment Motion and Questions Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Deepthi Wasalage JJB AI summary Hon. Deepthi Wasalage supported the amendment to the National Transport Commission Act, arguing that regulated, efficient public transport is essential for development and especially for women’s safety and dignity. She highlighted harassment in overcrowded buses, citing 289 reported incidents on public transport in 2024, and proposed measures including GPS and CCTV use, displayed WhatsApp complaint numbers, driver alcohol and drug checks, more buses and trains, women-only services, and improved sanitation at bus terminals. She also called for action on Matale’s inadequate bus stand and depot, better long-distance rest stops, and cleaner, more efficient transport to reduce emissions and private vehicle use, while noting ongoing work under the Clean Sri Lanka programme. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Sunil Watagala rejected claims that no action had been taken in relation to a school incident handled by the Child and Women Abuse Prevention and Investigation Division. He stated that five statements had been recorded, police were involved, facts had been reported to court, and legal proceedings had commenced. He argued that inaccurate statements had unfairly placed the Minister in charge of Women and Children’s Affairs in a difficult position. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Government treats education as a right and outlined existing divisional-level mechanisms involving ECD Officers, Child Rights Promotion Officers and public health officials to address issues such as non-attendance and irregular attendance among children. He noted that Child Development Committees are not meeting regularly in some areas and said steps are being taken to systematize the process, including possible intervention through Divisional Coordinating Committees. He also said the Ministry expects to introduce a regulatory mechanism for fees charged by preschools. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister acknowledged disparities among preschool and early childhood development centres, noting that most are privately run and that 17,152 are registered, with some unregistered centres also operating. He said the Ministry is working on regulation by registering and later regulating diploma-granting institutions that train preschool teachers, supported by ECD Officers and Provincial Council officials. He also referred to plans for a national subject framework and guidelines, measures to improve teacher competency, a morning meal nutrition programme, and work on teacher honoraria, while stating that the Government currently lacks capacity to equalize physical resources across all preschools. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, the Deputy Minister provided figures on preschools and teachers as at 31 March 2024, stating that there were 17,152 preschools and 30,536 teachers in service, of whom 23,371 had diplomas and 7,165 did not. He outlined the required qualifications for preschool wardens and said a subject framework and guidelines are being prepared with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education and the National Institute of Education for approval by the National Committee. He explained that preschool education forms part of Early Childhood Development for ages 0–5, with responsibilities divided among the Women and Child Affairs, Education, Health, and Provincial Preschool authorities under existing policy and the 13th Amendment. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary No prosecutions have been instituted by the 17 universities under Act No. 20 of 1998 on ragging during the past five years, while research on the issue has been conducted by the UGC Centre for Gender Equity/Equality and through academic theses. Measures underway include strengthening UGC circulars and complaint mechanisms, creating a 24/7 hotline, linking university anti-ragging task forces, and issuing a victim-centred support system circular in February 2025. Further proposed actions include offender rehabilitation, training disciplinary authorities, introducing a “Living with Diversity” module, and reforming student union governance to promote inclusivity, gender equality, and democratic representation. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran supported the Motion on developing SMEs in the Northern Province, stating that despite abundant raw materials, successive Governments since 2009 had not adequately supported the sector. He called for improved market access, technological upgrading, value addition, processing facilities, workspace, and export-oriented technical advice to increase production and shelf-life. He also noted steps to link producers with institutions such as Laksala, BCC, and Sathosa, arguing that stronger promotion and market opportunities could raise incomes, particularly for women-headed households in the North. Adjournment Motion: Empowerment of Small and Medium Exporters in Northern Province Read →
- 21 May 2025 Hon. (Mrs.) Nilusha Lakmali Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Nilusha Lakmali Gamage supported the Orders under the Finance Acts extending embarkation tax concessions for airlines operating from BIA, Ratmalana, Jaffna/Palaly and MRIA, arguing that these measures would encourage aviation activity and tourism-related foreign exchange earnings. She also supported the amendment raising the luxury tax exemption threshold for non-electric motor vehicles from Rs. 3.5 million to Rs. 5 million, describing it as relief intended to stimulate vehicle sales. She linked the measures to the Government’s development and anti-corruption agenda, rejected Opposition criticism of broken promises, and condemned an incident in which she said a woman MP’s right to speak had been questioned. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister said investigations into the referenced incident would proceed without interference and noted that relevant ministries and stakeholders had established a mechanism within 24 hours to ensure swift action in similar cases. She pledged measures to protect women’s and children’s rights, including ethical changes in media practice, and said the Government would act for all communities. She also defended the Government’s mandate and its women parliamentarians against criticism, stating that they would pursue necessary laws, discipline, attitudes, and public awareness to prevent violations against women and children. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister of Women and Child Affairs called for vigilance against groups she characterized as seeking to undermine the Government, national unity, and public interests through opportunistic or conspiratorial actions. She urged that such forces be defeated, framing the issue as a duty to protect the country and its unity. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister justified the increase in excise tax on imported electric vehicles as a revenue-raising measure adopted in the context of economic recovery, arguing that it avoids placing additional taxes on essential goods. She said limited vehicle imports would help revive the motor trade, provide opportunities for eligible importers and permit holders, and generate funds for development, welfare, and state priorities while protecting foreign reserves through import limits. She also defended the Government’s collective responsibility for difficult decisions, stated its willingness to correct mistakes, and rejected allegations of corruption or deliberate harm to the public. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Thushari Jayasingha argued that Sri Lanka’s public transport remains inadequate, overcrowded, and unsafe, particularly for working women who face daily indignities including sexual harassment. She supported importing buses designed for passenger transport rather than lorry-chassis buses, and emphasized the need for accessible, low-floor buses for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. She also linked improved public transport to workers’ dignity, tourism, and the needs of future generations. Private Members' Motion (P.37/2025): Public Transport Standards and Bus Specifications Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman supported the motion on COPE recommendations but argued that public institutions suffer from weak implementation and inadequate internal financial and disciplinary checks. He said corruption includes sexual bribery and raised concerns over the handling of a schoolgirl’s suicide linked to alleged child abuse by a teacher, citing delays in the police complaint process, arrest, interdiction, and transfer. He questioned why the Education Ministry acted only months later and alleged unequal treatment and protection for the accused because of political connections. Private Members' Motion (P.19/2024): Course of Action for Implementing Audit Recommendations Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Prime Minister AI summary The Prime Minister addressed the Sabaragamuwa University student death, stating that the UGC has initiated an inquiry through a committee with UGC representatives, separate from the police investigation. She outlined existing and strengthened complaint mechanisms, including a 24-hour helpline, online portal, university gender focal points, and reporting requirements to the UGC. She said Vice Chancellors and relevant university officials have been instructed to enforce existing law while a Task Force identifies short-, medium- and long-term preventive measures on ragging, bullying, harassment and online violence, with possible legislative review if current laws are found insufficient. She also noted the establishment of a Survivor Support System to assist victims and witnesses in reporting violence and harassment. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Read →