2020-08-25
News Categories : News
The Orientation Seminar for the newly elected members of the 9th Parliament organized by the Parliament Secretariat today (25) was held with a participation of more than 95% of the newly elected Members. The Members showed great interest in the program by actively engaging with the resource personals with regards to Parliamentary proceedings.
Organized by the Secretariat of Parliament, the event is expected to provide new Members with a comprehensive understanding of the procedures and customs of the House, Standing Orders, Privileges and Traditions, Ethics, Committees, order of business, and the Legislative Process.
The workshop was attended by nearly 115 senior Members and new Members of Parliament and was led by the Parliamentary Secretary General Dhammika Dasanayake.
The Speaker of Parliament Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Deputy Chairperson of Committees, Hon. Angajan Ramanathan, the Leader of the House Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Chief Government Whip Hon. Johnston Fernando and the Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella were present at the inauguration.
The Chief Guest of the inauguration ceremony held, Prime Minister Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his address to the audience emphasized that Members of Parliament should always attend Parliament sittings and use the library to enhance their professionalism.
Elaborating further, the Prime Minister highlighted that a MP should also have the will and capacity to sustain representing the Opposition reminiscing his times representing the Opposition when the Former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike was stripped of her civil rights.
The people expect a huge constitutional change. The people also hope that the mistakes made in history will be corrected by the new constitution. We must put aside all personal agendas and fulfill the expectations of the people first. We are governed by a constitution that has ruled the country for nearly half a century from 1977 up to now. This should be amended to facilitate contemporary needs.
The Prime Minister further stated that the Constitution is not a one-sided inheritance. Given that it is the basic law that applies to all of us, he emphasized on how every comma in it, every full stop can make an impact in the lives of the people.
Therefore, the Prime Minister requested to not divide as political parties in the process of drafting the constitution demanded by the people. He further highlighted the importance of absorbing all the positive aspects of the existing constitution and the need to express views and provide support in by all for the cause in good faith.
2026-08-28
Parliament is scheduled to meet from September 8 to 11. The parliamentary business for the week was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business meeting held recently (Aug. 20), chaired by the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.Accordingly, on Tuesday, September 8, the period from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for parliamentary business specified under Standing Order 22(1) to (6). The period from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, while the period from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the House is scheduled to debate, for approval, two Orders published in Extraordinary Gazettes Nos. 2489/22 and 2493/19, issued under the Motor Traffic Act (Chapter 203).This will be followed by a period from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. allocated for the debate on the Motion at the Adjournment Time to be moved by the Opposition.On Wednesday, September 9, the period from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for parliamentary business specified under Standing Order 22(1) to (6). The period from 10.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions to be asked from the Prime Minister, while the period from 10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers. Thereafter, from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., the time has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).From 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the House is scheduled to hold the Second Reading debate on the Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill.Thereafter, the period from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. has been allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time.On Thursday, September 10, the period from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for parliamentary business specified under Standing Order 22(1) to (6). The period from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, while the period from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the House is scheduled to debate, for approval, a Resolution under the Women’s Empowerment Act.Subsequently, from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., the Motion at the Adjournment Time to be moved by the Government will be taken up for debate.On Friday, September 11, the period from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for parliamentary business specified under Standing Order 22(1) to (6). The period from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, while the period from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).The period from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. has been allocated for the following Private Members’ Motions.Name of the Member of ParliamentTitle of the Private Member MotionHon. Nalin Bandara JayamahaBringing Industries related to Petroleum, Fuel and Water under the regulation of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri LankaHon. Ajith P. PereraProviding an incentive to family units to increase the number of births in Sri LankaHon. (Dr.) Harsha de SilvaProtection of the Diyagama ForestHon. Sujeewa DissanayakeAbolishing the additional six percent pension deduction from the salaries of Pirivena TeachersHon. Nanda BandaraFood crop cultivation in mountainous areasHon. T.K. JayasundaraDeveloping the Kithul IndustryHon. (Dr.) M. L. A. M. HizbullahEstablishment of a Faculty of Medicine for South Eastern University of Sri LankaThereafter, the period from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. has been allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time.
2026-08-28
A 25-member delegation of parliamentary officials from Sri Lanka, representing all nine departments in the Parliament of Sri Lanka, is participating in Capacity Building Programme at the Lok Sabha Secretariat in New Delhi.This Capacity-Building Programme was initiated through the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka at the request of Ms. Kushani Anusha Rohanadeera, Secretary-General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Subsequently, under the direction of Shri Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, arranged and facilitated the programme. As a result of this collaboration, 50 parliamentary officials from the Parliament of Sri Lanka were given the opportunity to participate in the programme.The first batch of 25 Sri Lankan parliamentary officials participated in the programme in India last month. The delegation was accompanied by Mr. Hansa Abeyrathne, Assistant Secretary-General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Following this, the second batch of 25 Sri Lankan parliamentary officials, led by Ms. Kushani Anusha Rohanadeera, Secretary-General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, is currently in the programme in New Delhi.Both programmes were conducted by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, with the objective of strengthening the professional knowledge, skills and institutional capacities of parliamentary officials.The visiting officials were warmly received by senior officials of the Lok Sabha Secretariat upon their arrival at the VIP terminal of Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.As part of their visit, the Sri Lankan parliamentary officials paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Prerna Sthal in the Parliament House Complex before the commencement of their programme.The capacity-building sessions cover a wide range of subjects related to parliamentary administration and functioning. These include international parliamentary relations and protocol, executive accountability to Parliament and the role and functions of parliamentary committees, the organisational structure of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, and the functioning of its Administration Branch.The programme also provides participants with an opportunity to learn about the functioning and management of committee secretariats and branches, parliamentary privileges and ethics, and services provided to Members of Parliament, including members’ services, allowances and welfare.Other key areas covered include preparation of the Secretariat’s budget, the functions of the Integrated Finance Unit (IFU) and Budget and Budgetary (B&B) branches, and the role and powers of presiding officers in legislatures.The delegation visited the Parliament House to observe the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Chambers and the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan. Visit to the Parliament Library Building are also included in the programme, provided the officials with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with India’s parliamentary infrastructure and support services.In addition to the academic and institutional sessions, the programme also included a cultural visit to Agra. The programme forms part of ongoing parliamentary cooperation and capacity-building initiatives between India and Sri Lanka, providing officials from the two institutions with opportunities to exchange experiences and gain a deeper understanding of parliamentary procedures, administration and democratic institutions.Senior officials of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, led by Ms. Kushani Anusha Rohanadeera, Secretary-General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, met with Shri Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, in New Delhi and engaged in a cordial and fruitful discussion. During the meeting, Ms. Rohanadeera expressed her sincere appreciation to Shri Utpal Kumar Singh for arranging and facilitating the Capacity-Building Programme for Sri Lankan parliamentary officials and for the support extended towards its successful implementation.In addition, the Secretary-General and a group of officials representing the Department of Communications of the Parliament of Sri Lanka also observed the operations of “Sansad TV,” the official television channel of the Indian legislature.The continuation of the programme through successive batches highlights the growing institutional engagement between the Parliament of Sri Lanka and the Lok Sabha Secretariat and contributes to the sharing of parliamentary expertise and best practices between the two countries.
2026-08-21
The Supplementary Estimate to provide Rs. 7500 million required by the Government to purchase paddy from the 2026 Yala season was approved by Parliament today (Aug. 21). The debate on the Supplementary Estimate was held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.The Supplementary Estimate was presented to allocate Rs. 7500 million from the funds allocated for projects/programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for 2026, which are expected to remain unutilized during the year, for the purchase of paddy.
2026-08-21
A minute of silence observed in the Chamber to express condolencesParliament today (Aug. 21) expressed its condolences to the late veteran singer Dr. Nanda Malini, recalling her immense contribution to Sri Lankan music and society. Accordingly, a minute of silence was observed in the Chamber following a request by Hon. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.Speaking thereafter, the Prime Minister said she was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Nanda Malini, who was revered as the “golden voice” of Sri Lankan music and who, through her distinctive singing career spanning more than eight decades, enriched the country’s music and culture.The Prime Minister further stated that, as an admirer who had listened to Nanda Malini’s many songs and experienced different moments of life accompanied by those songs, her passing was not merely the loss of an unparalleled artistic personality in Sri Lankan music. It was also the departure of a familiar voice that had been closely connected to our lives and memories, and that had been with us through moments of both happiness and sorrow.She noted that Nanda Malini’s songs were deeply connected to the experiences of generations, and that the memories associated with her beautiful voice are felt even more strongly following her passing. The Prime Minister said that Nanda Malini’s singing career represented not only an era in Sri Lankan music, but also a living expression of the lives of the people, social movements and human emotions of the country.Going beyond singing about human emotions such as love and separation, Nanda Malini gave voice through her songs to the sorrow, fear, hopes and struggles of ordinary people, the Prime Minister recalled. That was why, when listening to her songs, people heard not merely the voice of a singer, but the voice of their own society.The Prime Minister said that, at this moment of mourning Nanda Malini’s passing, she was remembering not only an incomparable artist who had been lost to Sri Lankan music, but also a beloved voice that was connected to many memories in the lives of the people. She also noted that although the voice that had accompanied the people for decades has now fallen silent, the songs she sang would continue to live on in their memories and hearts. She expressed her deepest condolences to Nanda Malini’s two daughters and all members of her family, as well as to the people of Sri Lanka who loved her singing voice.Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that he personally knew Dr. Nanda Malini and described her as one of the greatest singers produced by Sri Lanka. He said she was an artist who never bowed to anyone and who always stood up for the people, possessing an exceptional sense of humanity, kindness and compassion.Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, who also spoke on the occasion, said that he joined the sentiments expressed in the Chamber in memory of the late Dr. Nanda Malini. On behalf of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, he expressed the hope that she may attain Nibbana.
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