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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- 19 February 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel described the NPP’s inaugural Budget as a “citizens’ Budget” intended to distribute benefits across all regions and communities, with emphasis on youth, children, women, and historically neglected areas such as the plantation sector. She highlighted allocations for maternal and child nutrition, women’s and children’s protection, care homes, child-friendly justice transport, school meals, preschool teachers, scholarships, vocational trainees, sports school nutrition, and drug rehabilitation programmes. She said the Budget also advances commitments to strengthen plantation-area hospitals and improve the living standards of the plantation Tamil community, including allocations for housing, infrastructure, land and house titles, vocational training, and smart classrooms. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma clarified allocations in response to Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan’s concerns, stating that Rs. 5,000 million has already been provided for Northern Province development. He added that the Appropriation Bill increases monthly allowances for kidney patients and persons with disabilities from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000, and for the elderly from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000, effective April. He said these provisions apply nationally while also giving specific funding attention to the Northern Province. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva supported the Government’s first Budget, arguing that it is inclusive and centred on security, empowerment and inclusion, particularly for persons with disabilities and marginalized groups. He highlighted allocations and measures including Rs. 100 million for a national disability database, an increase in the disability allowance to Rs. 10,000, local production of assistive devices, low-floor buses, care and skill development centres, and improved health and special education services. He said these measures would help integrate persons with disabilities into the economy and society, and called for Opposition support for the Budget. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj supported the 2025 Budget as a “people-centric” recovery Budget, highlighting Rs. 749 billion for social protection alongside salary increases, education assistance, health and nutrition programmes, transport, and other household-support measures. She cited specific allocations including Rs. 6,000 for 650,000 schoolchildren, Rs. 1.4 billion for sanitary pads, Rs. 12.5 billion for Thriposha and nutrition programmes, and funding for Suwaseriya, medicines, disability support, rehabilitation, and children in care. She also outlined measures for youth leaving care, housing and jobs for vulnerable young women, regional development in the North, East and Hill Country, rehabilitation of the Vattuvagal bridge, technical education, and action to secure the Rs. 1,700 daily wage for plantation workers. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hasara Liyanage supported the NPP’s inaugural Budget, arguing it responds to the economic crisis inherited from previous governments and implements the “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” manifesto within current IMF constraints. She highlighted allocations for women’s empowerment and combating gender-based violence, support for marginalized children, and increased funding for health and education. She also cited reductions in Presidential expenditure, the removal of concessionary vehicle permits, and changes to public employment practices as evidence of fiscal discipline and reform, while inviting cross-party support for the Government’s rebuilding programme. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law – Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister said the Budget prioritizes social protection and relief for vulnerable groups by reallocating resources away from privileges and waste, including Rs. 232 billion for Aswesuma and increased allowances for kidney patients and elderly persons. He highlighted child-focused measures, including Rs. 500 million to improve care institutions, Rs. 250 million for child-friendly transport for legal proceedings, Rs. 1 billion for a Rs. 5,000 monthly allowance for children in residential care and orphans, and improved school access. He also stated that the Government would strengthen anti-corruption institutions, expand mental health and counselling support for youth and parents, and increase funding for prisoner skills development to support reintegration. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 17 February 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan supported holding the delayed local authority elections and welcomed increased representation for women and youth, while urging that this representation be matched with real powers. Citing increased membership and allowance costs after 2018, he requested the Minister to conduct the election on the basis of the 2022 committee recommendation to reduce councillors to about 4,714, which he said would save about Rs. 750 million annually and improve stability. He also called for greater powers and resources for local bodies, noting examples from India and Toronto and pointing to service limitations such as waste collection in Trincomalee. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Read →
- 17 February 2025 The Hon. Chathura Galappaththi SJB AI summary Hon. Chathura Galappaththi urged the Government to promptly restore the previous law with youth and women quotas, arguing that its strong public mandate enables swift action. He stated that enacting this reform would be a significant service to the country. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Read →
- 17 February 2025 Hon. Attorney-at-Law Dayasiri Jayasekara AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara urged that pending electoral law amendments proposed by the Election Commission in 2021 be expedited rather than deferred to a new Constitution. He outlined practical gaps in local authority election law, including procedures for filling vacancies after death, resignation, rejection of nominations, or disqualification of group leaders, and unclear rules when women’s quota requirements are affected by rejected nominations. He also proposed increasing the women’s nomination quota from 10 to 20 percent, noted difficulties in implementing the 25 percent women’s representation requirement, and called for attention to youth representation. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Read →
- 17 February 2025 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Faiszer Musthapha supported the Bill to cancel the 2023 local government nominations and call fresh nominations, arguing that holding a 2025 poll on old nominations would be impractical given the 2024 electoral register, while noting its need for a special majority in light of the Supreme Court judgment requiring the election. He urged the Government to use the Bill’s three-month implementation window to amend the local government electoral framework, particularly to improve women’s effective representation by revisiting nomination thresholds. He also called for rationalizing the enlarged number of local authority members, citing the cost to the Treasury. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Read →
- 17 February 2025 Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake AI summary The speech outlines 2025 Budget proposals to expand health and education services, including health system digitalization, strengthening primary and estate-level health care, pandemic preparedness, and targeted services for children with neurodevelopmental disorders including autism. It proposes Rs. 200 million for a neurodevelopmental treatment centre at Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Rs. 250 million for a model inclusive day-care centre, and a wider five-year district-level rollout. In education, it notes allocations for school and university infrastructure, increases the preschool breakfast payment from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100, provides funds for early childhood centres, and proposes an additional Rs. 1,000 allowance for preschool teachers from June. Appropriation Bill, 2025: Second Reading - Debate Adjourned Read →
- 17 February 2025 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Women and Children AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Women and Children is recorded as meeting on 17 February 2025, chaired by Hon. Saroja Sachithri Paulraj, with the listed Members in attendance. No substantive speech content, policy position, proposal, question, or decision is provided in the text beyond the committee name, date, chair, and membership details. Parliamentary Structure and Committees Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Dinesh Hemantha JJB AI summary Hon. Dinesh Hemantha said Sri Lanka Cricket is an important national brand and expressed support for constructive parliamentary proposals to revive sport regardless of party lines. He argued that, in addition to addressing corruption, SLC must correct planning failures, particularly by supporting school cricket. He highlighted the high costs borne by host schools in Division 3 matches, which cause rural and poorer students to withdraw, and called for a programme to remove these barriers and strengthen the U13 to U19 player pathway. Adjournment Debate: Sri Lanka Cricket Development and Anti-Corruption Measures Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Sudarshana supported regulations under the Foreign Exchange Act and the Imports and Exports (Control) Act relating to rice and vehicle imports, arguing that they are necessary while Sri Lanka rebuilds reserves after bankruptcy. He said vehicle imports would be phased, prioritizing tourism, public transport, buses accessible to persons with disabilities, and later goods, commercial, and private vehicles, while avoiding pressure on foreign exchange and fuel imports. He framed the measures within a broader government mandate to restore economic stability and achieve wider economic, social, and cultural freedom. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 24 January 2025 [Unidentified Speaker] AI summary The member paid tribute to the late Dr. I.M. Ilyas, recalling his support in enabling his daughter, ODT Jemina, to contest and serve in local government to ensure Muslim women’s representation in Puttalam. He commended Jemina’s disciplined work on religious affairs and women’s rights, conveyed condolences to Dr. Ilyas’s children, and offered prayers for four deceased former Members of Parliament. He also proposed that Parliament develop a programme to properly recognise the service of departed Members and create a framework to guide current and future politicians. Votes of Condolence: Rukman Senanayake, A.A. Reginald Perera, Sirinal de Mel, and Dr. I.M. Ilyas Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva said the Clean Sri Lanka programme should address social, environmental and ethical reform, with particular attention to restoring dignity and equal opportunity for vulnerable groups. Citing a reported incident in Dambulla where a disabled passenger with a ticket was unable to board buses, he called for public transport operators to uphold their obligations and for wider attitudinal change. He referred to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, No. 28 of 1996, and argued that legal access must be supported by enabling environments in education, employment, healthcare and public infrastructure. He proposed that the Clean Sri Lanka Task Force include a representative with disabilities and adopt universal design principles under the principle of “nothing about us without us.” Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake defended the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka programme as a broad policy framework based on social upliftment, environmental protection and ethical development, rather than a narrow initiative as he said the Opposition portrayed it. He linked the programme to the NPP’s electoral mandate and cited crime, harassment and disability-related concerns to argue for a more humane and respectful society. He also said the Government had begun changing political culture by ending nepotism in ministerial staff, diplomatic and other appointments, and pledged to fulfil the public’s expectations. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha welcomed the PUCSL decision to reduce electricity tariffs and urged that the resulting relief be passed on to households, industries and consumers through lower prices. She defended the Clean Sri Lanka Programme as an organized effort to improve environmental conditions, civic conduct and social ethics, citing pollution, inadequate public facilities, unsafe public transport for women, poor food practices and weak tourist amenities. She said consultations with local institutions and community groups had identified needs such as public toilets, drinking water points, clean food outlets and accessibility for persons with disabilities, and called for short-, medium- and long-term action leading to value-based social change. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran alleged serious misconduct by officers at the Periyanilavanai Police Station, including assault, obscene abuse, and acts amounting to sexual violence against a woman who had gone to lodge a complaint with her brothers. He condemned the incident in the context of the Government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative and urged the Minister to take appropriate action against the officers responsible. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Samanmali Gunasinghe, referring to Standing Order 91, stated that the Sri Lanka Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus had received no complaint regarding a recently reported incident involving women officers or women MPs. She urged Members to consider the social impact of such statements, said there was no known or reported incident, and noted that raising unverified historical claims could create difficulties for female staff. She added that the Caucus was ready to intervene if any complaint was formally reported. Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act Read →