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- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs had alerted a senior police officer to act before any complaint was received by the NCPA. He noted that subsequent public protests may have affected the timing of action, while emphasizing the importance of formal complaints in such matters. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister addressed the suicide of a 13-year-old child, calling it a collective social failure and urging that the matter not be politicized. She said the school principal had been asked to explain inadequate initial reporting and identify the teacher involved, while discussions had begun with the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, the NCPA, the Police, and the Education Ministry. She proposed an immediate notification and coordinated response mechanism covering education measures, police investigations, NCPA oversight, and psychosocial support, and said Parliament would be informed once it is established. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised the suicide of a 15-year-old schoolgirl following alleged sexual abuse at school and subsequent public disclosure of the incident by a tuition teacher. He questioned delays in action, including the alleged perpetrator’s transfer months after the incident, and noted that the National Child Protection Authority had not been properly informed despite police notification from a hospital doctor. He urged the Prime Minister to establish an automatic, coordinated mechanism for preventing abuse, ensuring immediate reporting to the NCPA and law enforcement, and taking action against those who further victimise children. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Strongly condemning the incident and extending condolences to those affected, the Minister said her earlier remarks were based only on the B Report and JMO report and did not go beyond those documents. She stated that any assessment of facts must be through medical and legal processes, agreed to remove any inappropriate wording from Hansard if necessary, and urged that the matter not be politicized. She said the priority is justice for the victim, with a meeting arranged with the parents the following morning and further information expected within a week based on investigations. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan objected to a remark made by the Minister for Women and Child Affairs concerning a child’s mental health, arguing that it was inappropriate and should be expunged from the Hansard. He called on the Minister to apologize to society, stating that such a comment should not have been made publicly, regardless of its accuracy, and noted that he had avoided naming the child. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj said her comments were based on documents submitted during a police inquiry and that she had asked to meet the girl’s parents when protesters sought a meeting. She stated that the parents were not part of the protest and that the protesters were understood to be parents of students at the school. She emphasized that justice should be pursued through legal institutions and cautioned against diverting the issue or taking the law into one’s own hands. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj briefly indicated that she wished to clarify or continue a point concerning a child. The excerpt is incomplete and does not contain enough substantive content to identify a specific proposal, demand, or policy position. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister stated that documents are being compiled for a full investigation into a student’s death, including records relating to an alleged sexual abuse incident in December 2024, mental health treatment, a JMO report, school performance, and statements from friends. She said the parents had been asked to file a formal complaint with the National Child Protection Authority and meet the relevant ministries, but had not yet done so, though they were expected to submit a petition shortly. She emphasized that justice should be pursued through proper legal institutions rather than social media or extrajudicial action, and called for the relevant parties to engage with the authorities to ensure due process. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Samanmali Gunasingha argued that the Batalanda Commission Report should be used to understand past State repression, the banning of the JVP after 1983, and the denial of democratic rights despite the Commission’s finding that the JVP was not responsible for the Black July violence. She linked the events to broader patterns of political suppression, illegal detention, torture, sexual violence, and killings, citing cases such as Embilipitiya and the 1988 arrests and murders of Deepika Muthuhettigama and Chaminee Geethanjali. She called for justice for victims across the North, South, and East, while also briefly noting recent workers’ salary increases as gains achieved through public struggle and sacrifice. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna raised concerns about delays in child-related cases that remain pending for years. She asked whether existing courts could allocate a specific day each week to hear and conclude such cases more quickly, instead of relying only on establishing new courts or recruiting additional officials. She sought clarification on whether a systematic mechanism exists to expedite these hearings. Oral Question 579/2025: Sexual Crimes Against Women Serving in Government Institutions Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj JJB AI summary Provided statistics on reported victims and categories of offences from 2015 to March 2025, noting that most cases involved sexual harassment and that 148 cases have been instituted in court, with annexed details tabled in the Library. She said the Ministry, the National Committee on Women, and the National Child Protection Authority are preparing ethical media reporting guidelines on gender-based violence with the Ministry of Mass Media. Addressing delays in women’s and children’s cases, she stated that about 40,000 complaints have accumulated over the past decade and that recruitment to add 109 NCPA staff, faster forensic and DNA reporting, and coordination with the Minister of Justice, including on the Corporal Punishment (Prohibition) Bill, are being pursued. Oral Question 579/2025: Sexual Crimes Against Women Serving in Government Institutions Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister provided data on complaints of sexual harassment and related offences against women in government institutions, stating that no complaints were recorded by the National Committee on Women’s Complaints Centre or the 1938 Women’s Help Line from 2015 to 2021, while nine complaints were recorded through those channels from 2022 to 2025. She said further police data from 2015 to March 2025 and action taken reports had been submitted as annexes to the Library. She outlined ongoing measures, including awareness programmes on laws, redress mechanisms and the 1938 Help Line, and training and sensitization programmes for police, public officers and officials working with women and children, with participation figures for 2023 to early 2025. Oral Question 579/2025: Sexual Crimes Against Women Serving in Government Institutions Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister of Women and Child Affairs presented the National Child Protection Authority’s Annual Report for 2023. She moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women’s Empowerment, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented: Customs Resolution, Ministry Reports, Annual Reports Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Existing laws already cover child abuse or harassment in any setting, including extra classes, classrooms, roads, and homes. Upon receiving information or a complaint, the police can investigate and take relevant legal action. Oral Question: Private Tuition Regulation and Child Safety Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake raised concerns about reported sexual abuse and misconduct involving children in private tuition classes and asked whether the Government would introduce regulation of such classes. He also questioned whether action would be taken regarding tuition tutors who lack proper educational qualifications. Oral Question: Private Tuition Regulation and Child Safety Read →
- 8 April 2025 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Women and Children’s Affairs AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Women and Children’s Affairs met on 08 April 2025 under the chairpersonship of Hon. Saroja Savitri Pohlraj, with the participation of ministers and members including those from government and opposition. The meeting’s recorded entry lists the members present, indicating a committee sitting related to the portfolio of women and children’s affairs, but no substantive debate, proposals, questions, or decisions are provided in the supplied text. Opening: Parliament commencement, President's Message, Announcements, and Committee Listings Read →
- 8 April 2025 Ministerial Advisory Committee on Women and Children’s Affairs AI summary The Ministerial Advisory Committee on Women and Children’s Affairs met on 8 April 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Saroja Sachchithri Polraj, with participation from listed Members of Parliament. The entry records the committee’s membership/attendance rather than a substantive debate speech, and no specific policy proposals, questions, or decisions are indicated in the provided text. Opening: Parliament commencement, President's Message, Announcements, and Committee Listings Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper supported the motion on regulating Sri Lankan domestic workers abroad, but argued that the central issue is why women, especially mothers from economically vulnerable Tamil-speaking communities in the Eastern Province, are compelled to migrate for such work. He objected to the term “housemaid,” urged recognition of domestic work as skilled labour requiring training, dignity and protections, and recalled the case of Rizana Nafeek as an example of the risks faced overseas. He said laws alone are insufficient because people circumvent them, and called for broader attention to economic conditions, family impacts and proper institutional support for migrant domestic workers. Adjournment Motion: Protection and Support for Migrant Workers Abroad Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilusha Lakmali Gamage JJB AI summary Nilusha Lakmali Gamage seconded the Adjournment Motion on migrant workers and emphasized the need for mandatory SLBFE registration, sector-specific pre-departure training, migration orientation, skills development, and financial literacy. She highlighted language barriers and inadequate training on machinery and workplace processes as causes of hardship and accidents, and called for a systematic programme to provide basic language and job-related training before deployment. She also noted the sacrifices made by women migrant workers who leave their families to improve their children’s future and household economic conditions. Adjournment Motion: Protection and Support for Migrant Workers Abroad Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi moved an Adjournment Motion calling for stronger protection of Sri Lankan migrant workers, particularly unskilled and female workers who face exploitation when migrating without proper registration. He proposed mandatory SLBFE registration, sector-relevant pre-departure training, migration guidance, skills development, and financial literacy, alongside stronger regulation of the SLBFE and legal reforms where needed. Citing complaint statistics, safe house numbers, court cases, and incidents involving workers in Oman, Dubai, Russia, Myanmar, Kuwait, and elsewhere, he argued that regulatory failures have left many workers vulnerable to abuse, trafficking, abandonment, and death. Adjournment Motion: Protection and Support for Migrant Workers Abroad Read →