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- 20 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Dr. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah stated that Muslim nurses, including in the Eastern Province, had previously been allowed to wear trousers without issue, but recent objections had arisen in some places. He requested the Minister to take appropriate action to address the matter. Oral Question by Private Notice (Standing Order 27(2)): Grant of Permission for Muslim Female Nurses to Wear Trousers Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah raised a question under Standing Order 27(2) about reports that Muslim female nurses are being denied permission to wear trousers with their uniforms in some hospitals and nursing training institutions. He recalled that a 1992 Private Member’s Motion on this matter was unanimously agreed to with the consent of the then Health Minister, enabling Muslim nurses to dress in accordance with their religion and culture for over three decades. He asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media to issue a Ministry circular to ensure the continued implementation of that permission across relevant institutions. Oral Question by Private Notice (Standing Order 27(2)): Grant of Permission for Muslim Female Nurses to Wear Trousers Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB AI summary Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena argued that the current local authority electoral system is impractical and requested a return to the former preferential representation system. He raised financial and staffing difficulties in local authorities, calling for excess staff redeployment and full government reimbursement of salary costs. He also sought improved allowances and facilities for Grama Niladharis, a male recruitment quota for difficult areas, and administrative and judicial reallocation of four remote Grama Niladhari divisions in Madulla to improve public access and legal administration. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra paid tribute to Samanmalee Hettiarachchi of the Dabindu Collective and highlighted the contribution and underrepresentation of women workers, particularly in Free Trade Zones and the garment sector. She said the government had reactivated the National Labour Advisory Council after a period of inactivity, held several meetings, and increased representation of women and women-led trade unions in the tripartite forum. She also cited labour policy measures including increases to the national minimum wage to Rs. 27,000 from April and Rs. 30,000 from January 2026, and negotiations to raise plantation workers’ wages, arguing that these reflected a stronger worker-focused approach by the Ministry of Labour. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana JJB AI summary Dr. Namal Sudarshana stated that a complaint should be lodged regarding the incident so that legal action can proceed. He added that the Government is expediting the establishment of the National Commission on Women, which will have quasi-judicial powers including the ability to institute cases, and that the delayed preparatory work is now being completed. Oral Question: Incidents of Domestic Violence Against Women from 2015 (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy raised concern over violence against women, citing an incident in which a Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman allegedly assaulted and later publicly insulted a 21-year-old female member. He questioned what action the Government or the relevant party had taken, separate from ongoing court proceedings, and requested a formal statement on its position and decisions regarding such conduct. Oral Question: Incidents of Domestic Violence Against Women from 2015 (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana JJB AI summary Complaints received by the National Committee on Women are referred to the Legal Aid Commission and the Police, while counselling services provide mediation and support. Legal action is handled by the Police, with the Committee’s role limited to directing complaints to the appropriate institutions. Oral Question: Incidents of Domestic Violence Against Women from 2015 (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella raised a supplementary question on the increase in domestic violence against women, citing that about one in five women experience it and referring to around 2,000 complaints received through the 1938 helpline. She asked the Government to briefly explain the immediate steps taken after such complaints, noting the need to inform the public about the rapid response process. Oral Question: Incidents of Domestic Violence Against Women from 2015 (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister provided statistics on domestic violence complaints against women received by the 1938 Women’s Help Line and Sri Lanka Police from 2015 to September 2025, noting annual totals ranging from about 123,000 to 145,000 complaints. He outlined Ministry and Police measures including referrals for legal aid and police action under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, awareness and training programmes, counselling and village-level outreach, and the Police 109 emergency response mechanism. He said legal action would be expedited through proposed amendments to the 2005 Act, improved procedures at Women and Children’s Desks, swift prosecution of serious offences, operationalizing the National Commission on Women under the Women’s Empowerment Act, and developing an integrated complaints-tracking system. Oral Question: Incidents of Domestic Violence Against Women from 2015 (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Harshana Rajakaruna criticized the Government’s handling of the underworld and drug crisis, arguing that it had politicized the issue and should publicly name and prosecute any politicians alleged to be involved, with Opposition support for genuine action. He objected to alleged attempts to politicize the Police and weaken the Police Commission’s role in transfers, while calling for modernization of police and intelligence services. He also urged greater representation of women, Tamils and Muslims in the Police through positive measures, and said adequate security for all Members of Parliament was necessary to enable them to speak against crime and wrongdoing. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney‑at‑Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hiruni Wijesinghe raised a matter of privilege concerning remarks made by Hon. Sujeewa Senasinghe during the Budget debate on 10 November 2025. She said he directed an insulting and irrelevant comment at her while visitors, including schoolchildren, were present and proceedings were being broadcast, causing her discomfort and amounting to verbal harassment. She demanded an apology and requested that the matter be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges under Standing Order 118. Privilege: Remark Made by Hon. Sujeewa Senasinghe on 10.11.2025 Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary The Hon. Chithral Fernando called for the Prime Minister to make a statement on remarks concerning the verbal subjugation of women. He linked the issue to her planned participation in a global women leaders’ forum and urged those promoting women’s emancipation to address the matter publicly in Aratchikattuwa with the relevant Chairman present. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha acknowledged concerns about alleged hurtful or unnecessary conduct by a Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman toward a woman member. She stated that if the member had suffered distress, regret would be expressed and appropriate action would be taken. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Mrs. Samanmali Gunasingha corrected claims that the Moratuwa Municipal Council Budget had been defeated, stating that the reported defeats related instead to some Pradeshiya Sabhas and cooperative society elections. She addressed allegations regarding insults to women MPs, saying such grievances could be raised with the Speaker or Women’s Caucus, and emphasized the need to treat women parliamentarians with dignity irrespective of party. During the debate on expenditure heads including the President, Prime Minister, Parliament and commissions, she noted that costs for the newly established National Women’s Commission fall under the Presidential Secretariat. She defended the Prime Minister’s Office against allegations, arguing that it operates modestly and has a role in coordinating and guiding government policy implementation. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Sudarshana supported the Budget, stating that economic stabilization had enabled programmes such as Clean Sri Lanka and digitalization to target rural development and poverty reduction. He rejected claims that preschool education was neglected, citing increased teacher and meal allowances and a new National Policy on Preschool Education to standardize curricula, teacher qualifications, governance, and regulation across provinces. He also outlined support for institutionalized children, including monthly assistance, improvements to care institutions, and a Rs. 2,000 million allocation to provide up to Rs. 2 million each for eligible youth leaving care to obtain land or housing. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne - Deputy Minister of Mass Media JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Kaushalya Ariyarathne described the 2026 Budget as an inclusion-focused and “feminist” Budget aimed at supporting historically excluded groups through welfare, education, housing, nutrition, pensions, eldercare, disability support and targeted subsidies. She highlighted allocations for school kits, daycare centres, children with disabilities, wage top-ups for employers hiring persons with disabilities, MSMEs, women’s livelihoods, rural economies, water schemes and farmer support. She defended the Rs. 200 attendance incentive for estate workers, rejected certain Opposition objections as procedurally misplaced, and said the Government’s ideological basis is equity and leaving no one behind. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe made a personal clarification regarding remarks made against him during a Point of Order raised on 12 November 2025, stating that he had not targeted or named any woman Member and had instead spoken about protecting Members and safeguarding the dignity of women Members. He argued that the Member who made the allegation had raised an unrelated issue during the Budget Debate, named other Members in a way that caused difficulty, and should apologize to them. He also referred to a controversy over a woman linked to a Member’s foreign visit, welcomed the President’s decision to stop the travel, and requested that the description of him as “anti-women” be expunged from the Hansard. Procedural Matters: Standing Order 91(k) and Points of Order Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella argued that the Government’s 2026 Budget does not adequately fulfil its policy commitments and that Parliament, under Article 148, must scrutinize public finance and implementation. She cited weak progress on 2025 Budget allocations, including no progress on a Rs. 500 million sports allocation and low ministry spending, and referred to Fitch’s warning on fiscal risks. She welcomed the Rs. 200 wage increase for the estate community while highlighting previous measures for estate workers, and called for greater funding for women’s empowerment, stating that the Rs. 440 million allocation is insufficient for women-headed households. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka opened the Opposition’s debate on the Second Reading of the Budget, arguing that the Government’s second Budget repeats unimplemented proposals from the previous year and reflects poor delivery, citing low capital spending and limited progress on several 2025 proposals. He questioned allocations and priorities, including funding for digitization versus vehicle imports, and asked why pledges on teacher salary anomalies, VAT removal on schoolbooks, women’s programmes, and education spending had not been addressed. He also criticized the absence of increased support for war-hero dependants and said sectors such as small tea growers, poultry farmers, and rubber growers had been neglected. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister said Sri Lanka already extends orphan benefits up to age 26, beyond the age of majority used in many countries, and indicated that further legal provisions could be examined for special circumstances. He also noted that appointing beneficiaries to jobs in the same institutions is limited by qualification requirements, but said targeted programmes, projects, or concessional support mechanisms could be considered to provide relief. Oral Question: Payment of Pension since 2020 (1354/2025) Read →