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- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney-at-Law NDF AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne asked whether the Government has a structured pathway for children identified with autism and other disabilities from diagnosis through to social integration, including standardized management protocols where paediatric specialists are available. He also raised the issue of transport barriers preventing regular hospital visits and proposed that the Ministry introduce a programme to facilitate transport to relevant centres. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa responded to a question on autism services for children, stating that the “Inclusive Early Childhood Development” programme received Cabinet and National Planning Department approval in 2025 after beginning as a pilot in July 2020. He said it is being implemented in six districts, with 55 hospitals across the provinces having paediatric specialists and 20 hospitals operating clinics for conditions including autism. He added that Rs. 200 million was allocated in the 2025 Budget and Rs. 100 million in the 2026 Budget for the programme. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Minister supported the regulations under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and the Fishermen’s Pension and Social Security Benefits Scheme Act, arguing that a reformed pension scheme is necessary for the large fisheries-dependent population. He cited Ministry figures showing 272,900 families directly engaged in marine and inland fisheries and said the previous scheme had limited enrolment and very few beneficiaries due to structural weaknesses. He linked the proposal to the Government’s policy objective of ensuring dignified retirement for senior citizens, particularly in a hazardous sector, and also condemned remarks made in the House against the Prime Minister. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the Supplementary Estimate for disaster relief and restoration, describing widespread impacts across multiple districts, including flooding and landslide risks in Kurunegala and continued displacement in safe centres. He said the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs is focusing on affected women and children, including damaged Early Childhood Development centres, and is coordinating with other ministries and international organizations on relief and restoration. He announced plans for a medium-term national psychosocial support programme, with training for counsellors and field officers beginning on 22 and 24 December, to address trauma among children and women. He also responded to concerns about the Gommunaawa landslide, stating that quarrying permits and related decisions dated back to 2015–2016. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmalee Gunasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmalee Gunasinghe outlined Government relief measures for those affected by severe weather, including Rs. 25,000 per affected schoolchild for books and supplies and an increased Rs. 25,000 grant for cleaning flood-damaged homes. She said women MPs were assisting affected communities, particularly on women’s and children’s safety and sanitation, and stressed that decisions on floodgates and river mouths should be made by relevant officials using scientific and meteorological assessments. She stated that all 25 districts and many public officials were affected, urged support for officials restoring services, and said District and Divisional Secretaries had been instructed to spend available emergency funds according to local needs while assessments continue for compensation for agriculture, homes, and businesses. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in the context of the ongoing natural disaster, expressing condolences and emphasizing that persons with disabilities, estimated at 8.7 per cent of the population, must be included in relief and recovery efforts. He said the Government is ready to provide human and financial resources, and urged affected persons to communicate rehabilitation needs through field officers and Divisional Secretariats. He noted plans to update the Disabilities Act in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and to present a Sign Language Bill, while calling on media outlets and officials to ensure disaster information and relief services are accessible, including through sign-language broadcasts and proactive outreach. Debate: Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Heads) Read →
- 1 December 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj JJB AI summary Moved approval of the National Child Protection Authority Annual Report for 2023 under Section 32 of the National Child Protection Authority Act, No. 50 of 1998, including the Auditor General’s observations. The report had been presented on 9 April 2025, considered by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women’s Empowerment on 18 June 2025, and reported to Parliament on 8 July 2025; the motion was agreed to. Papers: Annual Reports Tabled Read →
- 1 December 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj JJB AI summary Moved approval of the National Child Protection Authority’s Annual Report for 2022 under Section 32 of the National Child Protection Authority Act, including the Auditor General’s observations. She noted that the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee had considered the report on 18 June 2025 and presented its report to Parliament on 8 July 2025; the motion was agreed to. Papers: Annual Reports Tabled Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra seconded the Adjournment Motion and expressed condolences to those affected by disasters and bereaved families. She supported regulating three-wheelers used for private passenger transport and schoolchildren, noting that the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Act now provides legal authority to regulate such vehicles and improve child safety. She highlighted low-income families’ reliance on shared three-wheelers for school transport and urged the Ministry of Transport and National Transport Commission to provide driver guidance, facilities, and safety measures, including considering CCTV or similar safeguards beyond school vans. Adjournment Motion: Three-Wheeler Industry Development Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Samanmali Gunasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Samanmali Gunasinghe moved an Adjournment Motion calling for regulation of three-wheelers used for private and commercial transport, citing accidents, overloading, poor vehicle condition, unsafe night operations, and risks in transporting preschool and schoolchildren. Referring to a recent fatal accident involving an overloaded three-wheeler carrying preschool children, she urged a regulatory framework covering vehicle fitness, passenger limits, safety equipment, and shared oversight by schools, principals, parents, organizations, the Ministry of Education and relevant authorities. She also noted the ongoing national disaster situation, expressed sympathy to those affected, and appealed for unified public and institutional support for relief efforts. Adjournment Motion: Three-Wheeler Industry Development Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported Budget allocations for transport and urban development, highlighting CCTV installation in public transport to address harassment of women and children during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. She noted planned SLTB investments including depot development, driver rest facilities, recruitment, repairs to buses, engine replacements, additional long-distance buses, and services on unprofitable routes, while requesting attention to non-functioning low-income urban routes in Colombo. She also welcomed new National Transport Commission regulations on roadworthiness and driver drug use, and referred to a forthcoming road safety law. On housing, she cited plans to build 27,000 houses, including over 6,000 in Colombo, and urged speedy and sensitive relocation for unauthorized settlers. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister linked the Ministry’s expenditure debate with the International Day for Eliminating Gender-Based Violence, announcing planned January guidelines for school and office vans and mandatory CCTV in school vans to address harassment of women and children in transport. He said the Ministry expects 82–88 percent progress by year-end across roads, transport and urban development, with highways targeted at 90 percent, while identifying procurement capacity as a key bottleneck in implementing additional Budget allocations and Presidential proposals. He outlined the Ministry’s wide institutional scope and recent recruitment of 3,975 staff across agencies, and urged the Finance Ministry to address low remuneration and allowances at the Road Development Authority, noting its major role in capital expenditure. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation - Part 1 Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella marked the UN’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, highlighting the 2025 theme on ending digital violence against women and girls and citing data on online abuse, including fake profiles, doctored images, doxxing, trolling and sextortion. She noted that one in five women in Sri Lanka face violence and referred to Section 345 of the Penal Code on sexual harassment. She also raised concern about alleged verbal and psychological abuse of a senior female journalist within Parliament and urged the Prime Minister to address incidents affecting women Members across party lines. Ministerial Statements: Defence and Gender-based Violence Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister marked the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, noting this year’s focus on ending online and technology-facilitated abuse. She called on Members across party lines to avoid personal and gendered attacks, including in Parliament, and to uphold dignity, privacy, and respectful political debate. She also highlighted available support services, including Police Women and Children’s Bureau 109, the National Help Line 1938, and SLCERT 101 for cyber incidents, and urged collective action to ensure safety and equal participation for all communities. Ministerial Statements: Defence and Gender-based Violence Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised concerns about equal access to education for disadvantaged students, particularly those in hardship-stricken and low-income areas who lack shoes and learning materials, arguing that such exclusions affect their mental well-being and rights. He asked whether benefits such as textbooks, uniforms and shoes could be provided equally to all students without categorization. He also questioned the scheduling of the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination during the Muslim fasting month and requested that future examination dates avoid this period to prevent adverse effects on Muslim students’ preparation and performance. Oral Question: Equal Educational Opportunities - Standing Order 27(2) (Q.6) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe urged the Health Ministry to address major staffing shortages in Eastern Province hospitals and Ayurvedic institutions, including by granting special approval to appoint long-serving health volunteers to existing assistant and nursing vacancies. He requested completion of the Nintavur women and children’s hospital, priority for a proposed Ayurvedic hospital near Akkaraipattu-Athaulachenai, and action on parking charges affecting patients at Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital. He also asked the Government to provide the list of Muslims whose bodies were cremated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the Mass Media head, he called for reforms to the SLBC Muslim Service, including a full-time Director, quality review panel, and representative council to improve programming and reduce excessive advertising during Ramadan. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 Mr. Deputy Speaker [The Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih] AI summary Members were informed that the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus will distribute badges at the Members’ Entrance on 24 November 2025 to mark the Global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. Members were also requested, where possible, to wear orange or orange-shaded attire on that day. Opening: Commemoration of Global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy supported the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry’s role but urged the Government to focus on effective implementation of new Budget programmes rather than political claims about the past. He questioned disparities in sugar prices under the “one product, one shop” concept, called for transparency, and said youth entrepreneur loan schemes had reached too few beneficiaries despite allocations. He proposed stronger district-level and national value-chain programmes for coconut, coir, batik, apparel, fisheries, dairy and spice processing, with market access, women-focused credit, digital support and inter-ministerial coordination. He also requested comprehensive pre-departure skills training for migrant workers and urged that any plastic bag policy first establish viable domestic eco-friendly alternatives before legislation. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara JJB AI summary The Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara supported the allocations under the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, arguing that past welfare programmes had not eliminated poverty and that poverty remains concentrated in rural areas. He outlined Budget allocations for community empowerment, rural development, social security, “Praja Shakthi,” and cash transfers, framing them as part of a 2025-2030 programme for national recovery and poverty eradication. He also highlighted funding for persons with disabilities, school meals, uniforms and footwear, and support for elders, stating that the Government aims to ensure dignity, security, and poverty relief within five years. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam argued that rural development should be treated as national development, calling for the release and allocation of land for productive use, rehabilitation of abandoned irrigation tanks, and politically unbiased distribution of 2026 Budget rural development funds to local authorities. He urged stronger social protection for vulnerable groups, particularly persons with disabilities and female-headed households in the North and East, and requested additional welfare funding for war-affected areas. He proposed improved disability services including special education facilities in every Divisional Secretariat, reserved seating in public transport, mobile services for bedridden patients, accessible housing with at least Rs. 2 million per unit, and genuinely accessible soft loans. He also asked that Aswesuma eligibility not be determined solely by electricity bills, noting that persons with disabilities may have higher electricity use due to assistive needs. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →