2008-07-08
News Categories : News
The Hon. Gitanjana Gunawardena resigned from the post of Deputy Speaker of Parliament on July 1st 2008. He served as Deputy Speaker of the Sixth Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka from 22nd April 2004.
Below is the text of the speech he delivered in the House today, congratulating the newly elected Deputy Speaker Hon. Piyankara Jayaratne:-
Honourable Speaker,
I join my fellow Members of Parliament in congratulating Hon. Piyankara Jayaratne M.P, who was returned to the Parliament for the second time as a Member of Parliament representing the Puttalam district, upon his appointment to the post of Deputy Speaker. I must state that I was elated to learn that Mr. Piyankara Jayaratne, the son of Hon. S. D. R. Jayaratne, the former Minister, whom I acquainted very closely in 1989, was appointed as the Deputy Speaker. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I hope you will have all the strength and courage to discharge the duties of your post with the assistance of all of us.
It is my firm belief that you will be able to further build up the parliamentary democracy and the confidence of the people in it that we have brought forward for the last 60 years since 1948.
Honourable Speaker,
As discussed with you I’d like to add a few words as to how this vacancy was created
I entered Parliament for that second time in April 2004 as a member of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, a constituent party of the People’s Alliance government. Prior to that, I had the opportunity to function in Parliament for 5 years as one of the three MPP of the MEP headed by its leader, Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, in 1989.
Being a full time activist involved in trade union activities as well and also representing the MEP, I also functioned as a member of the Colombo Municipal Council from 1994 - 2004. In 2000, I resigned from the office of MMC, to function as the private secretary to the Hon. Minister of Transport.
In 2004, though I declined the request made to me by the United Peoples’ Freedom Front government to accept the post of Deputy Speaker of the Parliament. Later I agreed to appear to contest the post on the request of the former speaker Hon. Anura Bandaranaike and the then Prime Minister Hon. Mahinda Rajapakse. I was able to be appointed to the post of Deputy Speaker unanimously with the support of everybody.
I hope you admit the fact that I discharge the duties of this position with a great sense of responsibility and commitment under you in a very tense political situation in the Parliament during the last four years.
I also wish to recall with gratitude, the co-operation as well as challenges posed by the government as well as opposition ranks.
I think it is important to consider that it is our duty to win the trust and respect of the people for Parliament which we all reckon as the idol of democracy.
For the vacancy created with the assassination of the former Chief Whip of the Government by cruel terrorists, the Minister of Urban Development and Sacred Area Development, Hon. Dinesh Gunawardane was appointed by the government last month. It is a well known fact that Hon. Minister Dinesh Gunawardane is not only the leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna which I represent, but also an elder brother of mine.
The Chief Government Whip faced many a problem when the chair conducted the affairs of the House in the recent past and you will acknowledge that there is likelihood of a similar situation come into being in the future as well.
It is a norm accepted by all of us that under these circumstances when administering justice it should be fair and lawful and that it should be exhibited from our conduct itself.
I wish to state that it was due to that moralistic bond with the constitution that I resigned from the post of Deputy Speaker, conferred on me by the constitution on the basis of importance in safeguarding the dignity of the chair and the parliamentary tradition.
I express my gratitude to you, Hon. Prime Minister and H.E the President for giving me the opportunity of carrying out my duties without any undue influence. I also appreciate with respect, the understanding of H.E the President of the explanation made by me regarding my resignation. I believe that this will pave the way for the Chief Whip of the government to carry out the duties of the post without difficulty. Last but not least I extend my thanks to you, the Prime Minister, the leader of the opposition, all ministers and Members of Parliament of both the government and opposition and the entire staff of Parliament from the Secretary General to garden labourer for placing their trust on me and extending their co-operation. My thanks are also due to all journalists.
I wish whole heartedly that the newly appointed Deputy Speaker, Hon. Piyankara Jayaratne be bestowed with courage and strength as well as support of all to perform his duties in the post.
May the Triple Gem bless you!
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.
2026-08-20
The Committee on Parliamentary Business, which met today (Aug. 20) under the chairmanship of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, decided to take up for debate tomorrow, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Supplementary Estimate seeking approval for the allocation of Rs. 7500 million (7.5 billion) required by the Government to purchase paddy during the 2026 Yala season.The Supplementary Estimate has been presented to provide Rs. 7.5 billion from the funds allocated in 2026 for projects and programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, which are expected to remain unutilized during the current year, for the purpose of making the required payments.Thereafter, the Adjournment Motion to be presented by the Government is scheduled to be debated from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
2026-08-20
The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament today (Aug. 20). The debate on the Second Reading of the Bill was held from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thereafter, the Bill was passed without a vote.The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill was introduced to increase the fines applicable to offences under the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act No. 47 of 1956, from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 100,000.
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