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- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa supported the proposed National Care Policy but argued that its effectiveness depends on practical implementation and an independent National Women’s Commission. He questioned whether current economic conditions, including high prices and utility costs, protect women’s dignity, and cited low female labour force participation and high female unemployment as requiring concrete action plans. He also called for safeguards against exploitative microfinance and online lending, a national programme on maternal and child nutrition, better data for poverty-related policymaking, support for women-headed households, and protections for women and children in digital environments. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilusha Lakmali Gamage, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Nilusha Lakmali Gamage supported the Adjournment Motion for International Women’s Day proposing a National Care Policy to recognize unpaid care work in the national economy. She highlighted the economic contribution and difficulties faced by women workers, particularly tea pluckers, migrant workers and apparel workers, citing poor living conditions, job insecurity, reduced overtime and social stigma, and referred to cultural and library programmes intended to support apparel workers. She also outlined Government and district-level initiatives for women’s empowerment, including allocations in Ratnapura, land deed documentation, housing projects, and women MPs coordinating district subcommittee programmes on safety and livelihoods. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva argued that Sri Lanka’s political representation of women is inconsistent with their majority share of the population, noting their low presence in Parliament and local government and calling for reforms to increase women’s political power. He highlighted the economic contributions of women in tea, garments and overseas employment, while questioning whether they receive fair social, economic and cultural benefits. He focused particularly on women with disabilities, describing their exclusion from representation, education, employment and family life, and called for equal and, where necessary, affirmative rights to address economic, patriarchal and disability-based barriers. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy marked Women’s Day by urging the Government to protect the environment as part of safeguarding women’s dignity and health. He raised concerns about dense black smoke and ash emissions from the Norochcholai coal power plant, alleging substandard coal combustion and possible removal of filtration systems, and said communities in Kalpitiya and surrounding areas were being harmed. He requested a statement to Parliament on decisions taken to control emissions and mitigate environmental damage. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne focused on women’s political participation in the International Women’s Day debate, citing increased representation in Parliament and local authorities, particularly through the NPP, while noting continuing barriers such as party structures, media conduct, traditional attitudes, and entrenched power groups. She highlighted examples of women elected to local bodies in Nuwara Eliya, Jaffna, and Gampaha, and urged them to contribute to local and national development and women’s empowerment. She also referred to Government measures including increased preschool meal allowances, school supply grants, and support for underprivileged children, arguing that these were delivered despite economic constraints. She concluded by emphasizing women’s autonomy and the right to make independent choices in politics and life. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera criticized the failure to provide humanitarian assistance to a conflict-affected friendly state and urged action to help a vessel reportedly carrying 300 children within Sri Lanka’s maritime reach, framing it as a humanitarian and international law obligation. He also highlighted the role of sport in women’s advancement and wished the women’s cricket team success, while arguing that Sri Lankan cricket has declined due to administrative failures, corruption, and malpractice. He called for legislative reform of cricket governance based on the previously Cabinet-approved proposals of K.T. Chitrasiri, warning that interim or ad hoc measures would worsen the crisis. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hasara Liyanage supported the Adjournment Motion on recognizing women’s unpaid care work and developing a National Care Policy, noting the gap between women’s high university participation and low labour force participation. She argued that caregiving responsibilities, not reflected in GDP, require state support through gender-responsive budgeting, early childhood services, education allowances, shelters, counselling, and mental health programmes. She also rejected an Opposition reference to an Iranian warship near Galle, saying wartime issues should not be politicized and reaffirming support for humanitarian principles and world peace. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka spoke in support of the Adjournment Motion marking International Women’s Day, recalling Sri Lanka’s institutional measures for women’s affairs and noting women’s representation in national leadership, public service, education and local government. He said women remain central to major foreign exchange-earning sectors such as overseas employment, apparel and plantations, but continue to face hardships that require urgent government attention. He called for action beyond ceremonial statements, proposing cross-party initiatives through the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus with Opposition support, and highlighted low female labour-force participation, unemployment, unstable work and the unvalued household labour of women. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi argued that women’s participation in governance, public services, and the labour force is essential to economic stabilization and social transformation, citing the recruitment of female SLTB conductors and the need to address harassment in public transport. She outlined government measures including increased preschool meal allocations, investment in early childhood centres, women’s enterprise projects, online and local marketplaces, community kitchens, laundry services, caregiver networks, and production and marketing programmes such as “Diriya Man Petha” and “Liya Shakthi.” She also detailed support for women with disabilities, including housing, repairs, sanitation, hearing aids, and mobility assistance, and said the Government would continue advancing women’s economic, political, social, and cultural empowerment. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. V.S. Radhakrishnan highlighted women’s economic contribution in apparel, plantation work, and migrant labour, while noting their limited representation in formal employment and the difficult living and working conditions of plantation women. He urged the Government to provide toilet and rest facilities and improve housing in estates, strengthen measures against violence against women, and consider welfare measures such as free bus travel for women. He also requested an inquiry into incidents at Dickoya–Glengyle Hospital and called for fires to be reinstated as an emergency disaster category so displaced estate families can receive official relief. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana said the Government is reviewing the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, No. 34 of 2005, and the National Child Protection Authority Act, No. 50 of 1998, to update them in light of social and technological changes and strengthen protections for women and children. He noted that steps are being taken to establish the Women’s Commission under the Women’s Commission Act, No. 37 of 2024, including providing premises, staff, and budgetary support, with a mandate that includes formulating a National Women’s Policy. He also marked the forthcoming International Women’s Day by acknowledging women’s contributions to rights advocacy and the role of women Members of Parliament. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Sudarshana supported the Motion calling for a National Care Policy, linking it to International Women’s Day and the Government’s policy commitments on reducing women’s unpaid care burden. He said the Ministry has included this objective in the National Policy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, is finalizing an Action Plan, and will seek Cabinet approval, establish a Steering Committee, sign relevant MoUs, and submit the draft to the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus. He also noted joint work with the Labour Ministry and the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Protection and Community Empowerment to develop a National Social Protection Strategy and strengthen childcare, eldercare, and other care services while assessing the economic value of unpaid care work. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Geetha Herath linked the Adjournment Motion to International Women’s Day and emphasized women’s safety, economic contribution, and the need to recognize unpaid care work through a National Care Policy. She noted that although women comprise over half the population and a large majority of university graduates, their workforce participation remains low, particularly after marriage and childbirth, and argued for policies strengthening the family unit as well as women’s economic, political, and social empowerment. She cited the Women’s Empowerment Act, No. 37 of 2024, the proposed Women’s Commission, planned amendments to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, and the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill as measures addressing women’s protection and financial vulnerability. She also referred to inter-ministerial coordination and loan programmes for women entrepreneurs, stating that the Government would support women facing social and economic challenges. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman urged the Government to investigate allegations involving the mortuary of a major Government hospital in Nuwara Eliya following the death of a young woman, and requested the Prime Minister’s direct supervision and a formal position at the next sitting. He raised concerns that plantation-area children are being denied access to preschools or that civil society-run preschools are being taken over by estate management, and called for intervention by the Women and Children’s Affairs Ministry. He also asked the Government to implement an earlier Cabinet decision to bring plantation residential areas under State control, publish the Gazette and agreement on estate wage increases, and ensure that casual and private-sector workers are covered fairly. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hemali Weerasekara - Deputy Chairperson of Committees JJB AI summary Mrs. Hemali Weerasekara briefly stated that the Government is working to politically empower women, protect their rights, strengthen their role in the national economy, and support their transition from victimhood to empowerment. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hemali Weerasekara - Deputy Chairperson of Committees JJB AI summary The Deputy Chairperson of Committees marked International Women’s Day by highlighting increased women’s representation in Parliament, local government, the judiciary, public administration, policing, education, and business under the Government’s policy framework. She cited the rise in women MPs after the 2024 General Election, noted women holding senior constitutional and administrative offices, and emphasized that women have attained these positions through merit and resilience. She called for women to be included in decision-making, for recognition of women’s unpaid care work through a National Care Policy, and for stronger protections against gender-based insults, insecurity, and barriers to participation. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary K. Kader Masthan marked International Women’s Day by noting that women are a majority of Sri Lanka’s population and urging the Government to ensure greater participation for women in politics, the economy, and other spheres. He then condemned the escalating conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel, expressed condolences over reported deaths including that of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and called on Sri Lanka to use diplomatic channels to promote peace and prevent wider war. He also criticized the Government for alleged failure to assist Iranian naval personnel seeking help for 11–12 hours, urging the President to take urgent steps toward peace. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister supported the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus Adjournment Motion on a National Care Policy, arguing that unpaid care work is a major barrier to women’s equal participation in political, economic and social life. She called for care work to be recognized as a social responsibility requiring public intervention, infrastructure, financing, regulation and attitudinal change, including childcare and eldercare centres, disability support, safer transport, and reduced household burdens linked to education. She said the policy should form part of a wider structural transformation to value, redistribute and support both paid and unpaid care work, while promoting women’s leadership and equal citizenship. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna seconded the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus Adjournment Motion for International Women’s Day, emphasizing the need to recognize and value women’s unpaid care work in the home and its contribution to the economy. She proposed incorporating household labour into GDP calculations, providing state support for full-time carers, establishing childcare and eldercare centres, and making paternity leave mandatory. She also raised concerns about violence against women, exploitation of junior professional women, and the burdens placed on women by nutrition, health, and cost-of-living crises. Referring to her visit to Dumbara Prison, she noted that some women are detained due to family-related circumstances or procedural delays and called for attention to their situation. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha moved an adjournment motion calling for a National Care Policy to recognize and value women’s unpaid care work as part of the national economy, alongside their contributions in apparel, tea and foreign remittances. Marking International Women’s Day, she argued that Sri Lanka needs a legal and policy framework to strengthen women’s safety, social protection, political and economic participation, and to change outdated social attitudes. She proposed applying the ILO-related “3Rs” approach—recognize, reduce and redistribute care work—using digital services, infrastructure, online complaint mechanisms and a national integrated care programme for children, elders and persons with disabilities. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →