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Women & Children
458 speeches · 144 speakers
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458 on this topic- 6 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister said the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs has begun regulating private preschools, while the Ministry of Education has asked divisions to assess needs and propose new preschools, particularly in underserved areas such as the North and East. She stated that preschool administration falls under the Women and Children’s Affairs Ministry and would be coordinated with them. On volunteer teachers, she asked for specific case details, said the Ministry would inquire through provincial authorities, and indicated that a committee could be appointed if affected groups from the 2007 issue remain. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Points of Order Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister said preschool education needs regulation and standardization, noting that most preschools are privately run and therefore their teachers cannot currently be given permanent Government appointments or fixed Government salaries or allowances. She said the Ministry is working with the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs on preschool education reforms for 2027, including implementation of the National Early Childhood Education Curriculum Framework, teacher guides, model activities, and provincial-level teacher training. She also stated that a National Policy for Preschool Education is planned for 2026, that no provincial school was declared a national school in 2014, and that some requested information is not presently available with the Ministry. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Points of Order Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Called for stronger protection of women and criticized Government members for alleged insults, while expressing disappointment in the President and the Government he had previously supported. He argued that allegations against Ministers should be investigated through bodies such as COPA and COPE, with the accused temporarily resigning until cleared, rather than remaining in office. He also rejected the Government’s presentation of partial fuel price reductions after larger increases as “relief” to the public. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasinghe JJB AI summary On behalf of the Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women’s Empowerment, the member presented two committee reports to Parliament. These included the 2024 Performance Report of the Department of Ayurveda, the 2024 Annual Report of the National Child Protection Authority, and the Committee’s report on the Ministry of Health’s 2024 Annual Performance Report, which were ordered to lie upon the Table. Sectoral Oversight Committee Reports on Health, Mass Media and Women's Empowerment Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary Hon. Chathuri Gangani supported regulations extending service and retirement limits for women in the Tri-Forces, arguing that earlier rules based on sex forced women officers and other ranks to retire prematurely and limited promotions after significant State investment in their training. She cited the contributions and sacrifices of 12,416 women serving across the forces, including deaths, disabilities, sports achievements and gallantry awards, and said the reforms align with constitutional gender equality, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and SDG 5. She stated that the gazetted changes would improve morale, retain experienced personnel, reduce training costs, and expand opportunities for promotions, overseas training and peacekeeping service. Debate on Regulations under Defence Acts and Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera supported regulations under the three Service Acts to extend service conditions for women in the Army, Navy and Air Force, raising retirement ages to 55 and allowing retention up to 60 on service recommendations. He argued that the changes would preserve trained expertise, improve professionalism and support the Government’s 2030 defence modernization agenda, noting women’s contributions in conflict, disaster response, professional fields and sports. He also supported extending the State of Emergency for a further month following the cyclone, citing the need to maintain essential services, manage displaced persons in safe centres, and expedite reconstruction and foreign assistance deployment. Debate on Regulations under Defence Acts and Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister tabled data on cybercrime complaints handled by the Computer Crimes Investigation Division since its establishment on 24 March 2021, stating that 12,993 complaints were reported island-wide up to 10 March 2026, including 62 from the Northern Province. He detailed the Northern Province distribution by police division, with most complaints from Vavuniya, and outlined measures including provincial investigation sub-units, awareness programmes, Tamil-language outreach, hotlines and online reporting channels, counselling referrals, and deployment of women police officers to expedite investigations. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe (on behalf of the Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy) JJB AI summary Darmapriya Wijesinghe, on behalf of Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy, asked the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs for annual data from 2020 onward on cybercrime complaints involving offences against women, both island-wide and in the Northern Province. He sought district-wise figures for Northern Province complaints received through official Government reporting portals or police cyber units, and details of measures to improve reporting access and victim support services for rural women, particularly in the Northern Province. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that existing guidelines on media reporting of incidents involving children do not require amendment, as they already prohibit disclosure of details that violate privacy or sensationalize cases. She said the main problem is non-implementation, and that the National Child Protection Authority, media institutions, and the Ministry of Mass Media are being engaged to improve compliance and consider further regulation. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella asked a supplementary question on whether the Ministry of Education has revised guidelines on communicating information after child abuse, violence, or suicide-related incidents in schools. She highlighted risks such as school dropout, harm to families and other students, and copycat suicide, noting that WHO and UNICEF have issued relevant guidelines. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary A total of 1,026 incidents of abuse and violence were reported, resulting in 425 school dropouts and 6 suicides. The response outlined measures including strengthened school counselling, activation of attendance committees, teacher and principal training on professional ethics, coordination with child protection, social services and police authorities, and awareness programmes for school communities and parents. The Minister also noted the issuance of Circular No. 11/2026, reaffirming the Supreme Court ruling in FR 461/2012 prohibiting corporal punishment and any physical or mental harm to children, and said a common action plan is being developed with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs following an expert review. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education for annual data from 2015 onward on reported abuse and violence in government and private schools. She also sought separate figures on related school dropouts and suicides, details of measures taken in response, and the steps being implemented to prevent abuse and violence within the school system. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions Read →
- 17 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj – Minister of Women and Child Affairs AI summary In response to a question, the Minister tabled details on children without parental care identified as high risk, stating that 13,521 such children were identified in 2025 and that individual care plans and support in areas such as education, nutrition, medical needs and emergency relief are being implemented. She said the National Policy on Alternative Care, child participation mechanisms, village-level Child Development Committees and awareness programmes support family-based care and child protection. The Minister also reported that 393 Child Rights Promotion Officers and Assistants are deployed through Divisional Secretariats to cover all Grama Niladhari Divisions, while noting cadre vacancies and a request to attach Development Officers to fill gaps. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1 to Q.7 and Standing Order 27(2) questions) Read →
- 17 March 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka on behalf of the Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella AI summary Asked the Minister of Women and Child Affairs for details on children identified as orphans or lacking proper care, including their number and the measures taken to support them. The question also sought clarification on whether officers have been appointed at Grama Niladhari Division level to identify and assist such children, how many have been appointed, and how their duties will be monitored, or why such steps have not been taken. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1 to Q.7 and Standing Order 27(2) questions) Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister answered a question regarding Japanese and IOM assistance to the Sri Lanka Police, stating that no monetary grant was received but IOM supervised and implemented support activities under Japan’s “UPLIFT” project. He said equipment and refurbishment support were provided to the Children and Women Abuse Prevention and Investigations Division, including the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, NCMEC, the 109 complaint desk, a temporary shelter for women, child-friendly waiting facilities, and training for 109 call centre officers. He also stated that ministry approval was obtained for accepting donated equipment and listed the senior officers responsible during the relevant period. Oral Question: Foreign Assistance Received by NCMEC (Q.1310/2025) Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake asked the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs for details on foreign assistance received by the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children from February 2024 to March 2025. He requested information on the donor country and organization, the amount received in US dollars, approvals from the Department of External Resources and the Ministry Secretary, the official heading the relevant Child and Women’s Affairs Division during that period, and the projects on which the funds were spent. Oral Question: Foreign Assistance Received by NCMEC (Q.1310/2025) Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister supported the Adjournment Motion on recognizing women’s unpaid care work and preparing a National Care Policy, linking it to International Women’s Day and the theme of rights, justice and action for women and girls. She outlined government measures including the establishment of a Women’s Commission under the Women’s Empowerment law, proposed reforms to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, amendments enabling women’s night work, recognition of sexual bribery under the Anti-Corruption Act, and microfinance regulation to protect affected women. She also noted programmes for low-income women and women-headed households, and said the Ministry is working to professionalize caregiving and recognize care work as economically valuable human-capital development. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan used the International Women’s Day adjournment debate to highlight India’s AI policy initiatives and argued that Sri Lanka should reform education to include AI, coding, data science and robotics to prepare youth for technological change. He warned that AI-related job displacement could particularly affect women and said the digital economy should be used to create stable employment for women-headed households, especially in the North and East. He also referred to war widows, families of the disappeared, and incidents such as Sencholai, demanding answers and justice for women who surrendered or lost family members during the war. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Padmasiri Bandara JJB AI summary Padmasiri Bandara spoke in support of the Adjournment Debate marking International Women’s Day, citing patriarchal social structures, violence, economic exploitation, and cultural constraints affecting women in Sri Lanka. He highlighted past and ongoing political mobilization, including the “Women, We Stand as One” movement, and said the Government is pursuing measures on gender-based income gaps, land rights, labour protections, micro-debt relief, and support for women entrepreneurs. He called for increased women’s representation in Parliament proportionate to their share of the population and pledged continued support for women’s rights and justice. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha urged Parliament to protect the dignity of women members, arguing that abuse under parliamentary privilege discourages women’s political participation. Marking International Women’s Day, he called for measures to increase women’s labour force participation, including more crèches, longer maternity leave and formal work-from-home options, and supported higher representation for women in politics building on the 25 per cent local authority quota. He also asked the Government to address the needs of war widows after 2009 through accelerated welfare support and proposed stronger workplace mechanisms and reporting support to tackle sexual harassment and violence against women. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →