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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- 7 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya commended the Ministry of Transport and Sri Lanka Railways for establishing improved restroom facilities for women at Colombo Fort Railway Station, framing it as a practical measure to support safer and more dignified public transport use. She argued that inadequate, unsafe, and inaccessible transport limits women’s labour force participation, children’s education, and the inclusion of persons with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups. She urged the Ministry to consider transport and road access in relation to schools, teacher deployment, and broader social participation, emphasizing that mobility should enable all citizens to access work, education, culture, and public life. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister outlined the Ministry’s priorities for transport safety, service quality, and infrastructure under the new Government, citing plans to secure about 400 unsafe level crossings, install traffic-signal countdown timers, review transport safety laws, and introduce measures such as seat belts in public transport. He announced railway service improvements, expansion of rail freight, feasibility and development proposals including the Avissawella–Ratnapura extension and Nanu Oya–Nuwara Eliya tourism line, and initiatives to recruit women into SLTB and railway roles. He also proposed organizing three-wheeler and app-based drivers into cooperatives with social security support, strengthening accident investigations, and developing commercial activity at stations and depots. On ports, he stated that the East Container Terminal would remain fully public while private investment would be sought competitively for other port projects such as West Container Terminal 2 and Colombo North Port. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Thurairasa Ravikaran supported the Motion on the drug problem, warning that narcotics are destabilizing districts across the country and harming youth and young women. He urged the new Government and the Police to strengthen law and order and take additional measures, with both compassion and enforcement, to protect people from addiction and related deaths. Adjournment Motion: Jaffna - Social Impact of Drug Addiction Among Youth Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy moved an Adjournment Motion highlighting rising drug addiction, drug smuggling and gang violence in Jaffna, with particular concern for youth, women, girls and schoolchildren. He said heroin and other illicit substances, inadequate rehabilitation facilities and criminal gangs were contributing to theft, robbery, violence and public insecurity. He called for investment in rehabilitation programmes, stronger law enforcement and community support systems, and proposed a long-term monitoring mechanism involving the Provincial Governor, District Development Committee Chair, District Secretary, Police and grassroots leaders to coordinate action against drug distribution and use. Adjournment Motion: Jaffna - Social Impact of Drug Addiction Among Youth Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara JJB AI summary The Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara supported the Budget allocations under the Ministries of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, saying the Government aims to assist vulnerable groups including the poor, sick, mentally distressed, elderly and differently-abled. He responded to Opposition questions on promised graduate employment by stating that recruitment for 30,000 graduates would follow proper application and interview procedures rather than arbitrary appointments. He highlighted the growing needs of the elderly, citing numbers of indigent elders in homes and cases of residents lacking identity documents or family support, and called for structured measures to ensure their dignity and access to services. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera expressed the Opposition’s support, including that of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, for implementing long-pending approved proposals and policy commitments on the rights of persons with disabilities. He also conveyed regret over a distressing incident involving the Deputy Chairperson and said the Opposition would work cooperatively to protect equal rights and address the specific needs of persons with disabilities. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva questioned whether remarks by the SLFP General Secretary reflected the SLFP or Opposition view on persons with disabilities and urged cross-party cooperation under a “leaving no one behind” policy. He said the Budget would raise the disability allowance from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000, expand beneficiaries from about 150,000 to at least 400,000, eliminate waiting lists, and enforce accessibility measures. He also announced a Rs. 1 billion allocation to build a national disability database, arguing that data-driven policy is needed to integrate persons with disabilities into social welfare, education, technology, daily life, and national development. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha said the Budget allocation for the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment is intended to support inclusive development, with particular emphasis on psychological and social empowerment alongside economic measures. She outlined plans to address shortages of counsellors in Divisional Secretariats, conduct regular community mental health awareness programmes, develop gender-sensitive and youth-friendly services, and establish community day centres linked to mental health support. She noted that Rs. 707.15 million has been allocated in Budget 2025 for related institutions and programmes, including services for elders, counselling units, and social security. She also proposed improved data systems for counselling, reintegration pathways, reduced stigma, and pension avenues for informal sector workers, especially women. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Minister Pannilage defended the President’s use of poverty data in the Budget, arguing that multidimensional poverty must be assessed through living standards, education and health rather than a single indicator. He said the Ministry’s priorities are rural development and social security, including preparation of development plans for all 14,022 Grama Niladhari divisions through a new Rural Development Agency, supported by Rs. 1,012 million and reallocated Grama Shakthi funds. He stated that Rs. 749 billion has been earmarked for social protection, including a new disability registry, an increase in the disability allowance from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000, and expanded coverage from about 139,000 to 410,000 beneficiaries. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra clarified that she had not accused doctors or health workers of being thieves, while criticizing attempts to mislead the public on that issue. She focused on proposed labour law reforms, asking the Minister to state the current status of the draft review and stressing that reforms should proceed through proper tripartite consultation, including the National Labour Advisory Council. She criticized the 2023 draft as insufficiently consultative and inadequate in addressing women’s low labour force participation, urging the Ministry to prioritize recognition of unpaid care work through measures such as maternity benefits, childcare, and other supportive policies. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Faiszer Musthapha urged the Government to resolve the legal impasse preventing Provincial Council elections by appointing a review committee, headed by the Prime Minister, to submit the required delimitation review report to the President within two months. He argued that the absence of elected Provincial Councils since 2018 has weakened accountability under the 13th Amendment, and called for the preservation of ward-based local representation and the 25 per cent women’s quota in any reforms. On labour matters, he requested swift negotiations with plantation companies to secure a daily wage of Rs. 2,000 for plantation workers, citing the cost of living and prior failed efforts through the Wages Board. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra - Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra contrasted the Government’s energy policy with previous administrations, stating that proposed Electricity Act reforms would restructure the CEB into five state-owned entities while keeping transmission fully under state control and rejecting privatization. She said the Mannar wind tender review arose from an appeal under the previous government, defended stakeholder consultations, and argued that fuel pricing decisions should protect the public rather than unlawful profits or sectoral lobbies. She also noted that the Ministry is preparing a “Women in Energy” policy to increase women’s participation and leadership in the sector. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy called for proactive measures to address drug trafficking into prisons, including surveys at Grama Niladhari Division level to identify social, economic and other causes leading people into crime, with findings reported to Parliament. He criticized the Government’s response to underworld violence and the killing inside a court premises, urging stronger security for judges, court staff and officers and an orderly plan to address criminal activity. He also proposed modern alternatives to remand imprisonment, such as GPS-linked electronic monitoring used in Italy, and called for improved court and prison infrastructure and more funding for women’s empowerment programmes to prevent women and children being drawn into crime. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy, speaking during the Committee Stage debate on the Ministries of Justice and National Unity, said he had missed the Second Reading vote due to a parliamentary workshop in Tanzania on justice-related issues. He rejected the President’s suggestion of conspiracies against the Government and urged those in office to act as temporary custodians. He called on the Justice Minister to investigate reported allegations concerning the Law College, including claims involving an MP and the Principal’s appointment, and raised concerns about prison conditions, citing a visit to Welikada and urging reforms for inmates, women, and children. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra rejected Opposition claims of a fuel supply disruption, saying Government Ministers had provided distribution figures and that panic buying was caused by misinformation and some media reporting. She defended the Minister of Justice and argued that access to justice should be expanded despite fiscal constraints, including more targeted legal aid for workers and people near industrial zones. She highlighted increased 2025 allocations for alternative dispute resolution, including a 30 percent increase for the Debt Conciliation Board with two new branches, and a 118 percent increase for Mediation Boards with specialized boards in several districts. She also called for a more efficient and sensitive justice-system response to crimes against women and children, with future budgetary support. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera requested that the relevant law be gazetted with the appointed date effective from the date of passage, and urged special attention to poor prison conditions, particularly at Kalutara Prison, citing dilapidation, overcrowding and inadequate sanitation. He called for implementation of a proposed Special Provisions Act to extend sentence-credit benefits under the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, No. 25 of 2024 to about 1,900 convicted appellants affected by delays. He also supported earlier Sectoral Oversight Committee recommendations on setting 18 as the common minimum marriage age, amending the Maintenance Act, and preventing discrimination against children based on parents’ marital status. He proposed establishing a desk with a designated officer at each Divisional Secretariat for mediation board complaints and records, noting their role in reducing court workload. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Thushari Jayasingha said equalizing women’s armed forces service to 22 years was a parity measure, not a punishment. She outlined plans under the allocation to improve women and child protection, including early identification of at-risk children through Police, probation and divisional officials, stronger use of the 109 hotline, and the recruitment of 2,600 women Police officers to ensure at least three per station. She also proposed dedicated Children and Women Units with separate entrances in all 604 Police stations to reduce re-victimization and improve access to complaints, while stressing crime prevention and professional law enforcement. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary The member suggested that a capable woman officer from within the institution could be appointed to the relevant position. Oral Question 2 - Companies Registered with Registrar of Companies (Q.426/2025) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Prof. Anil Jayantha said the Government is working through a task force to meet financial derisking obligations, including exiting the FATF Grey List by mid-2026, and plans to introduce the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Act and amend the Marketing Board Act. He defended the Budget’s Rs. 749 billion social protection allocation, including Aswesuma, as a targeted response to poverty affecting over half the population and as part of a broader effort to stabilize the economy. He outlined allocations for vulnerable children, drug rehabilitation, reintegration of former prisoners, support for persons with disabilities, and Rs. 37 billion for housing, while stating that the Budget does not impose new special taxes or increase VAT and instead focuses on reliefs and improved revenue collection. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Gangani AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Gangani rejected a remark made in the Chamber characterizing a female MP from Malimawa as “childish,” stating that women in Malimawa are strong. She said their objective is to build a prosperous country and improve citizens’ lives, expressing confidence that this goal would be achieved without retreating. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →