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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- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe thanked Rohini Kumari Wijerathna for raising ILO Convention No. 190 on International Women’s Day and said the Labour Ministry has begun preliminary work on labour law reforms needed for its ratification, alongside attention to other ILO conventions on fishing, occupational safety and health, and maternity protection. He said successive governments had not ratified C190 since its adoption in 2019, despite continuing violence and psychological pressure faced by women in and outside workplaces. He also linked workplace protections to the low female labour force participation rate of about 32 per cent and said the Government would seek employer-employee consensus to amend relevant laws. Adjournment Motion: ILO Convention No. 190 - Empowerment of Women at Workplace Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Citing UNDP data, the member highlighted high levels of workplace and public transport harassment against women, noting likely underreporting in the North and East and difficulties victims face due to lengthy court processes. He raised concerns about online sexualized and defamatory content targeting women and children, and criticized inadequate police responses and local protection mechanisms. He requested Tamil-language online and app-based complaint systems for women in the North and East, with action within 24 hours and stronger implementation of existing services such as hotline 1938. Adjournment Motion: ILO Convention No. 190 - Empowerment of Women at Workplace Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra seconded the motion supporting ratification of ILO Convention C190 on violence and harassment in the world of work, noting that it broadens responsibility beyond individual victims to employers, managers, colleagues, and society. She argued that ratification must be followed by domestic implementing legislation to prevent workplace harassment and violence, particularly against women, and to make workplaces safer and more productive. She urged the Minister of Labour to move swiftly from ratification to legislation, framing the call in the context of International Women’s Day. Adjournment Motion: ILO Convention No. 190 - Empowerment of Women at Workplace Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna moved an Adjournment Motion on International Women’s Day urging the Government to ratify ILO Convention No. 190 on eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work. She argued that workplace-related physical, verbal, psychological and sexual harassment is a major barrier to women’s labour force participation, noting survey findings that many women would return to work if such harassment ended. The motion states that the Convention covers workers and others across contractual statuses, sectors and locations, and calls on Sri Lanka to adopt it to ensure safe workplaces and support women’s empowerment and economic participation. Adjournment Motion: ILO Convention No. 190 - Empowerment of Women at Workplace Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj JJB AI summary Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj said children aged 14 to 18 can face workplace exploitation and called for stakeholder consultations to develop evidence-based solutions, noting that persons under 18 are internationally recognized as children. She stated that Kandyan Law, Tesawalamai, and Muslim Marriage and Divorce Law should be considered separately, with an expert committee to advise on reforms, and urged that ongoing processes not be complicated. She also objected to derogatory language used in Parliament and, marking International Women’s Day, said over 85 percent of her Ministry’s allocation is directed to child wellbeing as part of a gender-sensitive Budget. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that women and children can report violence through the 1938 and 1929 hotlines, while acknowledging limited public awareness, Tamil-language capacity, staffing, and follow-up legal support, and said a broader awareness campaign and service improvements are planned. She outlined measures to improve and expand childcare facilities, including at Sethsiripaya and for parliamentary staff, and noted that regulation of day care centres under the National Child Protection Authority has resumed. She said appointments to the National Commission on Women are pending through the Constitutional Council process, after which a Women’s Empowerment Fund could be established, and added that concerns of women-headed households and vulnerable groups in the North, East, and plantation communities would be considered. She also explained that the apparent reduction in the Ministry’s budget reflects the separation of social development from women and child affairs, and cited the Rs. 6,000 schoolchildren’s allowance as part of efforts to reduce family burdens and prevent school dropouts. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem spoke during the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, commending women’s leadership in government and marking International Women’s Day with references to women’s rights in Islam. He urged consultative reform of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, increased support for child-care institutions and school supplies, and livelihood assistance, equipment and market access for widows, separated women, war-affected families and women’s micro-enterprises in the Eastern Province and other areas. He also requested action on unresolved murders in 2016, improved maternal health services and non-discriminatory treatment in Puttalam, the immediate appointment of a Qazi for Puttalam, and measures against false online allegations linking Eravur mosques to extremism. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Geetha Herath supported the 2025 Budget allocation for the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, stating that it contains more deliverable measures for women’s safety, recognition, and economic empowerment. She cited allocations including Rs. 63 million for women’s entrepreneurship and highlighted concerns such as low female economic participation, poverty among plantation and rural communities, women-headed households, and the rising number of women prisoners with limited education. She outlined planned programmes for low-income urban women, widows, cottage industries, plantation women, families of migrant women, girls leaving care institutions, and protection from exploitative microfinance, linking these measures to the Government’s “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Life” policy framework. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hasara Liyanage, speaking during the debate on the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs expenditure on International Women’s Day, emphasized women’s economic empowerment as essential to sustainability and dignity. She cited rising female contributions to household income and said the Budget allocates Rs. 63 million for women’s economic empowerment, particularly for low-income urban women, through projects, market access, and training. She also referred to support for young women entrepreneurs, alternative livelihood programmes for women working abroad, and measures such as preschool breakfast programmes to reduce the burden on women managing households and income activities. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Ramanathan Archchuna requested additional time and concluded by urging attention to teenage pregnancy, medical negligence cases, and equitable public investment for Muslims as well as for the North and East. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna marked International Women’s Day by highlighting women’s participation in Tamil society and politics, and said he intended to resign after several months to allow a woman from his party to enter Parliament. He raised concerns about nurses’ pay, staffing and lack of quarters at Jaffna Teaching Hospital, and argued that health-sector debate should address nurses as well as doctors. He also called for stronger action on online exploitation of women and children, support for female-headed households in the North, East and estates, higher allocations for women’s affairs, and reforms to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, including safeguards on consent, child marriage and equal access to divorce. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi spoke in support of the 2025 Budget allocation for the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, arguing that longstanding policy failures had contributed to serious social risks affecting women and children. Citing Central Province police data, he highlighted high levels of child abuse, sexual violence, domestic violence, suicides, vulnerable children, and drug or alcohol risk, with particular concern over Nuwara Eliya District and the lack of adequate shelters or safe homes. He said the Budget proposes targeted measures including nutrition packs for pregnant mothers, preschool breakfasts, allowances for preschool teachers, support for pregnant women, and facilities for children with autism as part of a more scientific intervention plan. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer supported the Head of Expenditure of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs on International Women’s Day, arguing that the Government has prioritized women’s and children’s rights within its development programme. He highlighted increased women’s representation under the National People’s Power, while noting remaining issues in safety, poverty, equality, education, political participation, and access to state services, and called for further representation, including at local government level. He said the Budget provides measures to support mothers, strengthen children’s health, safety and education, and promote play and sports, and stated that the Government would work with all parties on necessary legal reforms. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam noted that the Educational Development Consortium foundation is supporting preschool teacher training by providing scholarships of Rs. 60,000 per teacher, including in the hill country and Puttalam. He observed that the Budget allocation for the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs is lower than allocations for health and education, despite its broad responsibilities, and expressed hope that the Government will increase funding in future. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, speaking during the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs on International Women’s Day, argued that women’s empowerment is essential for social and economic development. He called for expanded employment opportunities, childcare services, new labour laws, support for women-led SMEs and self-employment, low-interest credit, training, and action against predatory microfinance and unsafe foreign employment practices. He also urged focused government attention on the North and East, citing the needs of female-headed households, children with special needs, and orphans following the war, including over 90,000 female-headed households. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined Women’s Week activities and emphasized early childhood development, detailing Budget allocations for preschool breakfasts, teacher allowances, maternal nutrition, Thriposha, institutional child care, and safe transport for children in custody. He said breakfast support will rise to Rs. 100 per child and target undernourished children through MOH identification, while preschool teacher allowances are proposed to increase to Rs. 6,000 from June. He also announced measures for institutionalized children, including monthly support, school admissions, vocational training, and a planned autism treatment model centre at Lady Ridgeway Hospital with district expansion over five years. He further highlighted women’s and children’s protection mechanisms, village-level mobilization, and greater awareness of the 1929 and 1938 toll-free counselling lines. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Hon. Krishnan Kalaichelvi highlighted the hardships faced by women in plantation communities, including long working hours, lack of basic field facilities such as toilets and rest areas, safety risks, and the absence of regular monthly wages. She called for monthly salary regularization, basic amenities, and an insurance scheme for estate workers, framing the long-standing wage issue as a human rights concern. She also expressed support for implementing the 2025 Budget allocations aimed at women, children, the sick and the elderly, including those in estate areas. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara urged gender-responsive budgeting across ministries, stronger coverage for widows and vulnerable women under Aswesuma, and improved wages and protections for women workers in the plantation sector and Free Trade Zones. He called for Sri Lanka to engage with the ILO “Decent Work” framework, for effective measures against sexual harassment in public transport, and for special courts or fast-track procedures to conclude rape cases without long delays. He also raised the unresolved disappearance of Ishara Sewwandi and requested that the Imams, Alwis, and Batalanda Reports be tabled in Parliament, while expressing support for advancing women’s political and social equality. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara commended recognition of women MPs and urged the Government to extend the 25 percent women’s quota from local authorities to Provincial Councils and Parliament before future elections. He raised concerns about low allocations to women and child affairs, workplace and online harassment, low female labour force participation, and the need to support women workers, particularly in the plantation sector. He asked whether the National Fund for Women under the Women’s Empowerment Act No. 37 of 2024 has been operationalized and funded, and sought clarity on implementation indicators for UNSC Resolution 1325 commitments. He also called for reforms to personal laws, including Thesavalamai and the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Law, and emphasized the need for reliable gender-disaggregated data. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran used the Women and Child Affairs budget debate on International Women’s Day to call for justice and clear answers for families of the forcibly disappeared in the North and East, particularly protesting mothers and wives in Mullaitivu. He urged the Government to provide income support and livelihood assistance to female-headed households, citing over 9,000 such households in Mullaitivu and wider need across the North and East, and highlighted the impact on children who lost parents and persons with disabilities. He requested the Prime Minister and the Minister of Women and Child Affairs to visit Mullaitivu and also called for improved remuneration for pre-school teachers, who he said receive only Rs. 6,000 per month. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →