2008-07-08
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!
2026-10-06
Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (Oct. 06) endorsed the Promotion of Export Agriculture (Amendment) Bill.The Bill was presented to Parliament on 7 August 2026 by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation. It seeks to update the legal and administrative provisions of the Promotion of Export Agriculture Act, No. 46 of 1992, and amend the existing legal framework relating to export agricultural crops.The amendments propose to update the administrative structure established under the Act by replacing the designation “Director” with “Director-General” and introducing the designations “Additional Director-General,” “Director,” “Deputy Director,” and “Assistant Director.”The definition of “export agricultural crop” has also been amended to include crops identified as having export potential in addition to their use for domestic consumption. However, it excludes specifically identified crops, including paddy, vegetables, fruits, root crops and certain food crops, as well as plantation crops.Accordingly, the Promotion of Export Agriculture (Amendment) Bill has been enacted as the Promotion of Export Agriculture (Amendment) Act, No. 24 of 2026.
2026-10-02
Parliament is scheduled to meet from October 6 to 9.The Parliamentary business for the relevant parliamentary week was decided at a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held recently under the chairmanship of the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.Accordingly, on Tuesday, October 6, from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m., time has been allocated for the Parliamentary business as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. From 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, while from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Parliament is scheduled to debate two regulations published in Extraordinary Gazettes No. 2493/36 and No. 2493/37 under the Foreign Exchange Act, an Order published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2493/38 under the Foreign Exchange Act, and a resolution under the Public Debt Management Act.From 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., a Motion at the Adjournment Time to be moved by the Government will be taken up for debate.On Wednesday, October 7, from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m., time has been allocated for the Parliamentary business as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. From 10.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions to be asked from the Prime Minister, while from 10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers. Thereafter, from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of Parliament.Subsequently, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., an Adjournment Motion to be moved by the Opposition will be taken up for debate.On Thursday, October 8, from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m., time has been allocated for the Parliamentary business as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. From 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, while from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the Second Reading debate on the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill is scheduled to be held.From 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., time has been allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time.On Friday, October 9, from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m., time has been allocated for the Parliamentary business as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. From 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, while from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).From 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the following Private Members’ Motions are scheduled to be taken up for debate:Name of the Member of ParliamentTitle of the Private Member MotionHon. Dr. Harsha de SilvaProtection of the Diyagama ForestHon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney at LawFormulation of a programme to increase train services on the Puttalam Railway LineHon. Amirthanathan AdaikkalanathanAppointment of a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to seek the truth about the ethnic violence that occurred during the 'Black July' of 1983, to assess the damages and to make recommendations to prevent the recurrence of such ethnic violenceHon. Lasith Bhashana GamageFormulation of a systematic methodology for the planting, scientific management, and maintenance of trees within road reservesHon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi, Attorney at LawConverting ;all Colleges of Education in Sri Lanka into University FacultiesHon. Chaminda WijesiriFormulating a programme to exercise justice to the individuals who have become the victims of microfinance loansHon. Ravi KarunanayakeMaking Sports Bodies in Sri Lanka free from politicizationThereafter, from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., a Motion at the Adjournment Time to be moved by the Opposition will be taken up for debate.
2026-09-30
First Reading of the Budget - October 7 Budget Speech - November 12 The Committee on Parliamentary Business has decided that the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2027 (Budget Speech/presentation of Budget proposals) will take place on November 12, 2026, followed by the Second Reading debate from November 13 to December 14.The decision was approved at a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held recently (Sep. 25) under the chairmanship of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.Accordingly, the Appropriation Bill is scheduled to be presented to Parliament for its First Reading on October 7.It was further decided that the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill (Budget Speech) will be delivered by the Hon. President, in his capacity as the Minister in charge of Finance, on Thursday, November 12, 2026. Thereafter, the Second Reading debate will be held for seven days, from November 13 to November 20. Accordingly, the vote on the Second Reading will be held at 6.00 p.m. on November 20.Thereafter, the Committee Stage debate will be held for 19 days, from November 21 to December 14, with the vote on the Third Reading of the Budget scheduled for 6.00 p.m. on December 14.During this period, the Budget debate will be held every day, including Saturdays, except on public holidays and Sundays. Parliament is scheduled to meet at 9.30 a.m. on each of these days.From 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. each day, time will be allocated for the Parliamentary business specified under Standing Order 22(1) to (6). Thereafter, five Questions for Oral Answers will be taken up from 10.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., followed by one question under Standing Order 27(2) from 10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.Accordingly, the debate is scheduled to be held from 11.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. On all days except the two days on which votes are scheduled to be taken, Motions at the Adjournment Time will be taken up for debate from 6.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., based on a 50:50 time allocation between the Government and the Opposition, the Secretary General further stated.It was also approved that during the Second Reading debate, 60% of the debate time will be allocated to the Government and 40% to the Opposition, while during the Committee Stage debate, 40% will be allocated to the Government and 60% to the Opposition.Furthermore, if a division is called for on a Expenditure Head relating to a Ministry, the relevant vote will be held at 6.00 p.m. at the conclusion of the proceedings on the respective day.
2026-09-25
Speaker also Endorses the Judicature (Amendment) BillHon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (Sep. 25) endorsed the certificate on the Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill.The Second Reading debate on the Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill was held in Parliament yesterday (24) and today, following which the Bill was passed with a special majority in Parliament.The Bill provides for increasing the retirement age of Supreme Court Judges from 65 to 67 years, and the retirement age of Court of Appeal Judges from 63 to 65 years.It also proposes to amend Article 137 of the Constitution to increase the number of judges of the Court of Appeal from 19 to 24. Accordingly, the establishment and operation of regional Courts of Appeal is expected to facilitate the expeditious disposal of pending cases and reduce the need for parties to cases to travel to Colombo.Accordingly, the Constitutional Amendment Bill will come into force as the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution.Meanwhile, Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne also endorsed his certificate today on the Judicature (Amendment) Bill.The Second Reading debate on the Bill was held in Parliament yesterday (24) and today, following which the Bill was passed by a majority of votes in Parliament today.The amendment increases the retirement age of High Court Judges from 61 to 63 years, and the retirement age of District Judges and Magistrates from 60 to 62 years.Furthermore, by amending Section 4 of the Judicature (Amendment) Bill, the Bill provides for increasing the maximum number of High Court Judges from 110 to 120, enabling the establishment of additional Provincial High Courts and Provincial Civil Appellate High Courts.Accordingly, the Judicature (Amendment) Bill will come into force as the Judicature (Amendment) Act, No. 23 of 2026.
Handbook of Parliament
The System of Elections in Sri Lanka
How Parliament Works
Business of Parliament
Copyright © The Parliament of Sri Lanka.
All Rights Reserved.
Design & Developed by TekGeeks
