Topic
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- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake condemned the harassment and abuse of women Members of Parliament, particularly by Opposition MPs and through cyberbullying, and argued that such conduct discourages women and girls from entering politics. Citing Standing Orders 77, 81 and 82 on discipline and disorder in the House, he requested action from the Chair and parliamentary staff to examine complaints and determine whether any previous Parliament had seen comparable insults toward women MPs. He said Parliament’s response was necessary not only to protect the 22 women MPs but also to signal protection and respect for women more broadly, including in workplaces and public life. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister argued that support for women in politics is needed because social structures create vulnerabilities, particularly through online and media harassment targeting women MPs. He cited Asia-Pacific data that 85 percent of women MPs face such harassment and said Parliament should lead efforts to protect and strengthen women who enter public life. He noted that the number of women MPs has doubled and said his office had requested a report on the level of harassment faced by women MPs within Parliament. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary During an Adjournment debate marking International Women’s Day, Bimal Rathnayake argued that social, economic and institutional structures continue to limit women’s advancement despite their major contribution to Sri Lanka’s economy, including foreign exchange earnings. He highlighted unpaid domestic and care work as a key barrier affecting even educated and professional women, and noted declining female representation at senior levels in universities, health administration and other institutions. He called for identifying and removing administrative, institutional and attitudinal barriers, including through measures such as low-interest credit and support for women’s entrepreneurship, and also referred to the impact of conflict in the Middle East on women’s vulnerability globally. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga supported the proposal to formulate a National Care Policy for women, highlighting increased women’s representation in Parliament, local authorities and community bodies. She argued that women bore the heaviest burdens during the recent economic and social crisis, and cited Government measures including school and preschool nutrition programmes, sanitary pads for schoolgirls, housing assistance, wage increases and efforts to reduce household hardship. She also referred to export growth, the planned Sri Lanka Expo 2026 and village-level women’s entrepreneurship initiatives as evidence of women’s expanding role in the national economy. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir spoke on an Adjournment Motion connected to International Women’s Day, emphasizing respect for women and noting government measures such as appointing women to senior offices. He urged the Government, especially women members, to condemn attacks affecting women and children in the Middle East, including an alleged attack on a girls’ school in Iran, and questioned why Sri Lanka had not expressed solidarity given Iran’s past assistance, including the Uma Oya project. He also argued that the Government’s pledges of equality were not being reflected in its responses to international issues and in local programmes, citing the Prajashakthi project in his area where he said no women were selected, and called for household-level initiatives to create opportunities for women. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Krishnan Kalaichelvi stated that the government has begun practical measures to address public needs, particularly programmes aimed at improving women’s incomes, rather than merely criticizing past governments. She expressed confidence that, with women holding the offices of Prime Minister and Minister of Women and Child Affairs, appropriate solutions would be brought forward for issues faced by women in Sri Lanka. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Hon. Krishnan Kalaichelvi supported the Adjournment Motion calling for a National Care Policy that values women’s unpaid care work, linking it to International Women’s Day. She condemned the alleged mishandling of a young woman’s body at Dickoya Hospital and said investigations are underway, with action to be taken by the Ministry of Health if wrongdoing is found. She highlighted the multiple disadvantages faced by hill-country and plantation women, including low wages, lack of workplace facilities, harassment, domestic burdens and childcare responsibilities, while noting recent government measures such as a Rs. 400 wage increase and housing under the Indian Housing Scheme. She also called for programmes to address child street vending in estate areas of Nuwara Eliya District. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued that harassment and political attacks directed at women MPs, including the Prime Minister, are attempts to weaken women’s political power. She said the increased participation of women from ordinary families, supported by the “Women, We Stand as One” movement, represents a historic political change that deserves respect and recognition. She concluded by calling for continued action to increase women’s representation in politics. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Marking International Women’s Day, the MP supported the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus proposal for a National Care Policy on unpaid care work and rejected claims of conflict between the Government and the Women’s Commission, stating that it should be independent. She highlighted the increased representation of women in the 10th Parliament, including women without political family backgrounds and the first two women MPs from the plantation Tamil community, as a significant milestone. She also cited the National People’s Power’s women representatives in local authorities and called for constructive engagement with women’s political leadership while criticizing the Opposition’s record and conduct on women’s representation. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe called for legal and policy measures to increase women’s labour force participation, noting that women comprise 52% of the population but only about 30% of the workforce, and referenced Islamic teachings on women’s dignity and motherhood. He condemned reported US and Israeli attacks on Iran, urged the Sri Lankan Government to issue condolences and a clear condemnation, and warned of possible economic effects on Sri Lankan workers in the Middle East. He also requested a full report to Parliament on an Iranian naval vessel reportedly struck near Sri Lankan waters and asked the Defence Minister to clarify whether Sri Lankan waters are being drawn into the conflict. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary The Hon. M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani supported the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus proposal for a National Care Policy to recognize unpaid care work as part of the national economy, in the context of International Women’s Day 2026 and the UN theme on women’s rights, justice and action. She highlighted recent gender-sensitive budgeting measures, particularly housing support for low-income and women-headed households under the “Seamatha Nivahana” programme, including an increase in housing grants to Rs. 1 million and planned allocations for 31,000 houses. She also referred to housing initiatives for plantation workers, conflict-affected displaced persons, and girls leaving care homes, stating that these measures aim to improve women’s safety, dignity, and social, economic and political standing. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah spoke in support of the Adjournment Motion on International Women’s Day, highlighting women’s contributions to the tea, apparel, and overseas employment sectors and calling for policies to address their issues, support self-employment, and improve access to credit. He also requested the Minister to introduce a common preschool syllabus, standardize preschool teacher training, set a clear starting age for preschool education, and apply basic standards uniformly. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan supported the Adjournment Motion on International Women’s Day, arguing that Sri Lanka must move from rhetorical support for women’s equality to practical measures, including improved political representation and protection from violence. He cited past conflict-related abuses, disappearances and unresolved justice claims affecting women, and urged accountability for cases involving figures such as Sandhya Eknaligoda and the family of Lasantha Wickrematunge. He also called for urgent action on human-elephant conflict in Batticaloa after recent deaths of women in their homes. Additionally, he requested appointments for B.Ed. graduates, pension-related relief for long-serving volunteer teachers appointed late, promotions for sports officers, and the filling of vacancies. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel spoke in support of the Adjournment Motion marking International Women’s Day, emphasizing women’s achievements beyond household roles and the need for equal opportunities in all sectors. She highlighted the economic and professional contributions of plantation Tamil women and noted increased Tamil women’s representation in Parliament, local bodies, public administration, education, law, and medicine. She stated that sustainable development requires women’s participation and referred to the government’s measures, including a minimum 5% women’s participation in civic and social protection bodies. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha raised concerns about Sri Lankan women working as domestic workers abroad, particularly in the Middle East amid regional instability, and questioned whether the SLFEB and diplomatic missions provide effective emergency assistance, hotlines, and repatriation support. He proposed reducing the Rs. 25,000 SLFEB charge on outbound domestic workers to a minimal insurance-related fee of around Rs. 5,000–6,000, citing their low incomes and contribution to foreign exchange. He also urged the Government to address the impact of the Iran–Israel conflict on migrant workers, exports, and freight costs, condemned attacks affecting the Indian Ocean peace zone, and asked whether protection had been provided to Sandhya Eknaligoda following reported death threats. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar JJB AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the initiative aims to empower women by recognizing the dignity and qualifications of those who guide families and society. He stated that further action would be taken to ensure women deprived of rights can secure those rights and live better lives. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister warned fishers against crossing into other maritime zones amid heightened Indian Ocean security tensions, noting that two Kankesanthurai fishers reported missing had been arrested by Indian coastal security and that the Government would seek clarity and pursue diplomatic action for their release. He then supported the Adjournment Motion linked to International Women’s Day, emphasizing the need to recognize women’s economic contribution and unpaid care work through a National Care Policy. He highlighted the impact of war, microfinance debt, fisheries work, and poverty on women in the North, East, and plantation communities, while citing increased women’s representation in Parliament and local authorities. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera criticized the Government’s approach to women’s policy as based on imported feminist ideas that, he argued, do not reflect Sri Lankan social realities centred on motherhood and the family. He urged the Government to focus on practical economic empowerment for women, including self-employment, entrepreneurship, skills, creativity and access to capital, and to deliver on its promises amid economic hardship. He also warned that Sri Lanka needs a coherent foreign policy and regional geostrategic strategy to safeguard national security. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne stated that Sri Lanka’s proposed care policy would draw on international examples from countries that have recognized unpaid care work in law or policy. She said the Government would consult civil society organizations working in this area and requested constructive input from Members on both sides of the House. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne - Deputy Minister of Mass Media JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government has submitted an Adjournment Motion for a National Care Policy to recognize, reduce and redistribute unpaid care work and integrate it into the national economy, in line with its election policy commitments and the ILO’s 3R approach. She also addressed women’s representation and participation in the media, citing concerns over commodification, online abuse, harassment, and limited advancement into decision-making roles. She outlined planned measures including an Independent Media Commission, a Chartered Institute of Media Professionals, skills-development funding of Rs. 104 million, exploration of journalist insurance, and action to protect media workers affected by reported problems at the “Mawbima” newspaper. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →