Topic
Women & Children
458 speeches · 144 speakers
Party share
By the speaker's party · counts only, no scoring. "Unattributed" = speeches not resolved to an MP.
Most active on this topic
Speeches
458 on this topic- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa raised concern over a public allegation made the previous day that women working in Parliament frequently face sexual harassment, noting that no formal complaints had been received but the media coverage had affected staff, particularly four women in the Information Systems and Management Department. He requested that, under the guidance of the Board of Management, an investigation be conducted and a statement issued to clarify the facts and prevent injustice to parliamentary staff. Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary By mid-2024 Sri Lanka had achieved macroeconomic stabilization and improved investor confidence, aided by completion of external debt restructuring, but the recovery was financed heavily through increased VAT and personal income tax burdens on ordinary people. Attention was drawn to reduced spending on education, health, and transport, including cuts to school welfare, textbooks, and health services, which increased unpaid care work and costs borne especially by women. Citing a December 2024 Human Rights Commission report on labour outsourcing, the remarks noted that many women moved into less-protected “manpower” work due to crisis pressures and lack of childcare. The Government was urged to direct the benefits of recovery toward social welfare, reintegration of affected groups, SMEs, workers, women, and lower-income households. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman raised concerns over media reports and complaints about sexual harassment of female staff in Parliament, particularly in the IT Section. He noted that the Secretary-General had taken some steps, including suspending duties and that some individuals had retired, but requested an immediate inquiry and necessary action, emphasizing that such incidents within Parliament also affect Members of Parliament. Oral Question: Death of Pigs Due to Epidemic Disease and Procedural Matters (Q.187/2024) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj said the Government has allocated Rs. 6,500 million to provide a Rs. 6,000 grant from January 2025 for school supplies and books to children from economically distressed families. She linked the measure to rising school dropout rates, poverty, microfinance-related hardship among mothers, and the need to ensure free education includes equitable access to materials, nutrition, and support such as girls’ sanitary needs. Responding to Hon. Jeevan Thondaman, she stated that the grant is intended for all children without ethnic, regional, or occupational discrimination, with the longer-term aim of preventing dropouts and reducing the education burden on parents. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister stated that Sri Lanka currently has 502,269 children in early childhood education, across first and second stages, and that policy should be based on these figures. She said the immediate priority is to standardize existing pre-schools and ensure adequate facilities, safety, and nutrition, while the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and the Ministry of Education work toward a common, multi-stakeholder decision, with further responses to follow. Oral Question: Early Childhood Development Centres Registration and Monitoring (Q.45/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj said early childhood institutions are currently regulated through multiple bodies, including the National Child Protection Authority, Provincial Departments of Social Services, Provincial Pre-school Units and the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development. She stated that clearer and more uniform standards are needed, particularly on administrators’ and teachers’ qualifications, and that the sector should be better anchored within the national education system. She indicated plans to introduce a standardized diploma and a regulatory programme to bring existing pre-school teachers up to that standard, alongside new early childhood initiatives focused on soft skills, empathy and creativity. Oral Question: Early Childhood Development Centres Registration and Monitoring (Q.45/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister provided figures on early childhood development centres and teachers as at 31 March 2024, stating there were 19,099 centres and 17,152 teachers, and confirmed that national standards have been introduced though not all centres meet them. She tabled the handbook on National Standards for Early Childhood Development Centres, outlining 20 standards across physical environment, health and safety, staff competence, learning environment, and management, including staffing ratios and facility requirements. She stated that registration, management and monitoring are devolved to Provincial Councils under the Thirteenth Amendment, with provincial authorities and national early childhood development officers conducting oversight. Oral Question: Early Childhood Development Centres Registration and Monitoring (Q.45/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Hesha Withanage AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage asked the Minister of Women and Child Affairs for data on early childhood development centres in Sri Lanka, including the total number operating and how many are government-registered. He sought clarification on whether unregistered centres may operate, the basic qualifications required to run such a centre, and whether an action plan exists to monitor them. Oral Question: Early Childhood Development Centres Registration and Monitoring (Q.45/2024) Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. (Ms.) A. M. M. M. Rathwaththe JJB AI summary Hon. A. M. M. M. Rathwaththe condemned derogatory remarks against women MPs and linked them to broader concerns about violence against women, recalling previous protests over cuts to the Women and Child Affairs allocation. She said the NPP’s women MPs entered Parliament on their own mandate, pledged to protect women’s safety and justice, and criticized past policies such as microcredit schemes that she said deepened rural women’s poverty. Representing Digamadulla and Dehiattakandiya, she thanked voters for electing new NPP candidates in a multi-ethnic district and defended the Government’s mandate, rejecting comparisons with the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration and claims that the President opposed all borrowing. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Sudarshana thanked the people of Kurunegala and said the National People’s Power Government recognized the scale of public expectations following its election victory. He emphasized education as a central policy priority, citing inequalities in the school system and arguing that free education, won through historical struggle, must be protected and strengthened. He proposed making quality early childhood development for ages 3-5 a primary State responsibility, including teacher training, health and nutrition integration, and multicultural and multilingual learning, while also addressing child protection, malnutrition, and educational difficulties. He called for reforms to outdated child-related laws, better coordination between child protection institutions, direct supervision of at-risk children through Divisional Secretariats, and targeted interventions for women, who he said remain marginalized. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne used her maiden speech during the 16 Days of Activism to highlight women’s role in Sri Lanka’s economy, particularly migrant domestic work, plantations and apparel, arguing that these sectors generate major foreign exchange while workers face low wages, abuse, insecurity and inadequate state support. She cited data on domestic violence, rape, gender inequality, poverty, microfinance debt and the long-delayed reform of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, framing women’s issues as linked to broader economic and social inequalities. She said the Government would pursue reforms including removal of VAT on essential goods in the next Budget, stronger legal protections, criminal law amendments, an expanded fundamental rights chapter in a new Constitution, and policies centred on women’s economic empowerment. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. Harsha de Silva acknowledged the “Orange the World” campaign and cited UN data on violence against women in Sri Lanka, urging sustained action against gender-based violence, particularly by men. He thanked Colombo District voters for electing him and said he would work responsibly beyond partisan politics. He also congratulated President Anura Dissanayake and other former parliamentary colleagues now holding responsibilities in government, wishing them well. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. (Ms.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Oshani Umanga thanked voters in Horana and Kalutara and framed the election result as a mandate to transform the country through cleaner governance, digitization, improved state productivity, and support for investment and SMEs. She highlighted increased women’s representation in Parliament and public office, including the re-establishment of the Women’s Caucus, and said the Government would prioritize women’s issues and participation in policymaking. She cited welfare and cost-of-living measures such as school supply grants, pension and Aswasuma increases, fertilizer subsidies, and fuel support for fishers, urging legal and financial backing to implement the “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Lives” programme. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel highlighted the long-standing issues faced by Hill Country Tamils, including land rights, housing, wages, health, education, recognition and workplace facilities, arguing that previous governments had provided only temporary political fixes. She said the NPP, including through the 2023 Hatton Declaration and current poverty alleviation programmes, would pursue land titles, titled housing, upgraded estate-area schools, health improvements and support for landslide-affected families in Badulla. She also called for Hill Country Tamils, especially women and children, to be integrated into the national mainstream with equal rights and urged all Members to work together to rebuild the country. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha thanked Colombo District voters and said the National People’s Power’s increased female representation reflected a changed political culture valuing women’s participation. She defended President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Policy Statement as a break from privatization, excessive borrowing and import dependence, arguing instead for reviving state enterprises, protecting national assets, releasing land for productive use by farmers, and building a participatory production economy with fair distribution of benefits. She highlighted poverty in Colombo and the burdens on female-headed households, citing their rise to about 29 percent by 2018, and referred to planned relief such as Rs. 6,000 for children unable to afford educational materials. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj said the new parliamentary mandate reflected a shift toward policy-based politics and noted the increased representation of women in Parliament. She outlined government priorities to protect and uplift women and children, including better safeguards for women workers at home and abroad, enforcement against violence, improved safe public infrastructure such as sanitary toilets, and stronger systems beyond legislation. She also highlighted concerns over substandard pediatric medicines and unsafe food, pledging action on medicine quality and food standards, and framed the election result as a rejection of communalism in favour of a shared Sri Lankan identity. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella SJB AI summary Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella thanked the voters of Kandy for electing her as a first-time MP and said she would continue the public service of her father, Hon. Lakshman Kiriella, with particular emphasis on women’s issues. She welcomed the increased number of women in the 10th Parliament and noted women’s representation in senior offices, while observing that Sri Lanka remains low in global rankings for female parliamentary representation. Referring to the President’s statement on the IMF programme, she recalled the NPP’s earlier opposition to the agreement and urged the Government, in its forthcoming Budget, to provide relief to families, especially mothers struggling to feed their children nutritiously. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hemali Weerasekara - Deputy Chairperson of Committees JJB AI summary Hon. Hemali Weerasekara highlighted women’s social, economic and political inequalities, arguing that past policies weakened welfare services and that women’s representation remains low despite their majority share of the electorate. She described the NPP’s “Women, Together as One” mobilization programme and called for policies to raise women’s representation in political structures to at least 50 percent. She proposed labour law reforms, socializing care work, expanding women’s entrepreneurship through credit, training and village-level industrial initiatives, and strengthening legal and institutional protections against violence in line with international commitments. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →