2006-02-17
"A red letter day in the history of Parliament of Sri Lanka" mentioned the Deputy Speaker when he addressed the gathering at the Parliament website launch.
Find the speech made by the Deputy Speaker in full below.
Hon. Prime Minister
Hon. Speaker
Hon. Members of Parliament
Secretary to His Excellency the President
Distinguished invitees
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I consider today as a red letter day in the history of Parliament of Sri Lanka. People of this country enjoyed universal franchise since 1931, which is seventeen years before independence and just a few years after United Kingdom enabled its women the right to vote. From first past the post to proportional representation people casted their vote, performing their civic duty and many would burn the midnight oil in a festive mood to await the result, not to mention unfortunate excesses that took place in certain elections. The question before many is after the hustings what next?
Until today the communication between Parliament, its members and the rest took place through the print media. Letters constitute the communication between people and members. The Hansard is the official record of proceedings. The newspapers give publicity to the proceedings as well as photographs. In theory the Parliament should be open to the public as the representatives perform a duty on behalf of the people. Unfortunately, considerations of security, necessitated by acts of aggression, now surround every Parliament of the world. In an era where people demand transparency, the physical access to Parliament and other government institutions need be restricted, which appears to be a paradox.
However we can overcome these challenges through the evolution of the information communication technology and the revolution it is creating in our daily lives. Electronic communication was born with the invention of the telegraph and the telephone. Easy storage of information and its equal ease of retrieval became possible with aid of computers, which originally served the computational needs of the scientific community. Communication between computers made the easy retrieval of information stored in one computer with the aid of another. The birth of the internet facilitated methods of communication between computers and a universal network of access. The internet has come to our aid enabling us to be accessed through computers open to all. The main advantage is that it no longer requires face to face contact thus avoiding the risks of acts of aggression.
The commonest feature in the process of access is to retrieve what is known as web pages. By pages it is to be understood as chunks of pictures and texts displayed per screen. This is the equivalent of a notice board or a billboard. Now the pictures and the texts could be dynamic with animations. In addition this could be enriched with sound as well.
But a web page in the modern world is far beyond a mere notice board of display. It can be interactive. It could be configured to have a set of pages for every Member of Parliament where every citizen, with or without subject to identification can communicate with a member, both ways. The communication could be text based in the form of notes or letters. In a further advancement it could be a chat in the form text. The more advanced could be live audio and the ultimate being audio and video as well. A further development in this direction would be web based conference linking the citizens in a public library conference hall and the elected representative in Parliamentary premises.
Richness of an entity, be it individual, family, group, village, town or a country depends on what fraction of time it spends in planning for its future while dealing with the present. In this context any serious legislator would be on the look out for good ideas. Unfortunately the average culture of many so called responsible, is to treat letters as a nuisance. On the other hand an invitation to express views on policy of given subjects would evoke response from a limited group of intellectuals. The web based consultation would be an ideal source for a legislator to get ideas on a given subject across the board.
Any Parliament is a wealth of knowledge. Its library hitherto restricted by physical access can be made on-line thus enabling any audience, restricted or otherwise to refer to its material. I am fully aware that it would be a herculean task to feed in to web, the hansard, present and the past, leave alone all the printed material in our library. However, I am relieved to note that there are, IT enabled service providers available locally who can undertake to face the rigours of this exercise. A photographic gallery of distinguished legislators itself would definitely be an attraction and a challenge. The most daunting would be to have multimedia documentaries made available on-line based on the material available.
Clearly www.parliament.lk follows the address of the mother of all Commonwealth Parliaments www.parliament.uk. However we would have to maintain our own identity as we are a unicameral legislature as opposed to the UK legislature being bi-cameral and with judicial functions. Today, in reality it is a small step we take in the direction we have to move many a mile.
I trust that the developers of our system who are very capable have made it resilient to so called cyber-attacks. In any case it is physically less damaging than an act of aggression in the form of a physical attack. However we cannot risk the loss of data or the disturbance it would cause once sizeable number of population in the globe starts making use of it .I therefore take this opportunity to remind the cutodians of this system both present and in the future to guard this system and ensure its security from attacks which are modernised and innovated everyday.
We have to thank the United Nations Development Program for the generous assistance both in cash and kind towards the humble beginnings of our legislature being a part of the World Wide Web. I have to thank them once again for its commitment to build the institutional capacity of many an organ of the public in the developing countries in general and the parliament of Sri Lanka in particular. It is through this institutional building, an enhancement of public good that enables the serving of the public better and permits the foster care and the growth of the private good, thus enriching our people to be above the poverty line.
We in Sri Lanka recognize the role of the agency on information Communication Technology (ICTA) which was also a partner in this exercise. Its role is not limited to the Parliament of Sri Lanka but to the entire nation. It funded this project both in cash and kind. I am confident that professionals in Sri Lanka in general and the professionals in the Agency in particular would enrich the internet world of Sri Lanka thus contributing to an effective regime of governance in Sri Lanka. I would be failing in my duty if no mention is made of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse, the President of this country, who as the Minister in Charge of the subject of the Agency gave stewardship to ICTA and was very keen in the implementation of this venture.
I take this opportunity to thank all those who came today in response to our invitation to be with us and share our joy on this memorable occasion.
Thank you.
2026-09-14
Acting Secretary-General of Parliament Mr. Hansa Abeyratne has informed the Chairman of the Election Commission that a vacancy has arisen in Parliament of a Member of Parliament following the resignation of M.S. Abdul Wahid, National List Hon. Member of Parliament representing the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress.In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Election Commission, the Acting Secretary General of Parliament stated that Mr. M.S. Abdul Wahid had submitted to him a letter of resignation from his office as a Member of Parliament.According to the letter submitted by Mr. M.S. Abdul Wahid, the resignation will take effect from 14 September 2026, the Acting Secretary General further stated.Accordingly, the Chairman of the Election Commission has been informed, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, that a vacancy has arisen in a seat of the Tenth Parliament.
2026-09-11
H.E. Wei Huaxiang, the newly appointed Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, at the Parliament premises recently (Sep. 10). Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera was also present at the meeting.The Hon. Speaker warmly welcomed Ambassador H.E. Wei Huaxiang and congratulated him on his appointment, while reaffirming the longstanding friendship and close relations between Sri Lanka and China.The Hon. Speaker expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the continued support extended by China to Sri Lanka as a true friend, particularly during various challenging periods, including the country’s recent economic crisis. He also appreciated China’s assistance following the recent Ditwah Cyclone and its continued support for the people of Sri Lanka, including the provision of school uniform material.Highlighting the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, the Hon. Speaker noted the steps taken to strengthen cooperation between the two Parliaments, including parliamentary exchange programmes. He said further initiatives and future programmes would be pursued through the Sri Lanka–China Parliamentary Friendship Association to further deepen relations between the two countries.The Hon. Speaker also briefed the Ambassador on the Government’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and advance national reconciliation. He observed that cooperation between Sri Lanka and China has expanded into a wide range of sectors under the Belt and Road Initiative, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries.Ambassador Wei Huaxiang thanked the Hon. Speaker for the warm welcome and said he had been deeply impressed by the friendliness and smiles of the Sri Lankan people. Referring to Sri Lanka as a “beautiful Island of Smiles,” he expressed his appreciation for the warmth and hospitality extended to him since his arrival in the country.The Ambassador highlighted the longstanding historical ties between China and Sri Lanka, noting the centuries of maritime and cultural exchanges between the two nations. He said bilateral relations had continued to strengthen since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka.Referring to recent high-level engagements, Ambassador Wei noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping had met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Dr.Harini Amarasuriya during their respective visits to China in 2025. He said these high-level engagements had provided new strategic direction for the further development of bilateral relations.The Ambassador stated that China regards Sri Lanka as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and expressed China’s readiness to further strengthen cooperation in support of Sri Lanka’s economic development and efforts to improve the livelihoods of its people.Both sides also highlighted the significance of 2027, when Sri Lanka and China will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of the Rubber-Rice Pact.Ambassador Wei Huaxiang further expressed his commitment to working towards strengthening the long-standing friendship between the two countries, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese institutions and citizens in Sri Lanka.
2026-09-11
Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution to be Debated on September 24 and 25The Parliamentary Business for the next Parliamentary Week, scheduled to be held from September 22 to 25, has been decided.The decisions were taken at the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held yesterday (Sep. 10), under the chairmanship of the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.On each day that Parliament meets, the period from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for Parliamentary Business specified under Standing Orders 22(1) to 22(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).Accordingly, on Tuesday, September 22, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the Orders published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2497/37 under the Petroleum Resources Act and the Promotion of Export Agriculture (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading) will be taken up for debate at.Thereafter, at 5.00 p.m., the Tredso Development Foundation (Incorporation) Bill, a Private Member’s Bill, is scheduled to be taken up for Second Reading and thereafter referred to the Legislative Standing Committee.From 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., an Motion at the Adjournment Time moved by the Opposition is scheduled to be taken up for debate.On Wednesday, September 23, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the debate on the Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka Bill (Second Reading) will be held.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 24, from 11.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m., time has been allocated for the Second Reading debate on the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill.It was agreed that the two-day debate would be held subject to the Hon. Speaker making an announcement to Parliament following the delivery of the Supreme Court determination on the petitions filed against the respective Bills under Article 121 of the Constitution.On Friday, September 25, from 11.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m., it has been decided to continue the Second Reading debate on the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill for the second day.
2026-09-09
The Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill was passed in Parliament today (Sep. 09).The debate on the second reading of the Bill was held in Parliament from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. today, following which the Bill was passed without a division.The Bill was presented to Parliament for its first reading on 4th August 2026.The Bill has been introduced to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act, No. 35 of 2009. The Act was enacted in 2009 to carry out functions including the coordination of activities between the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence, in accordance with the requirements of the time.Accordingly, with the repeal of the Chief of Defence Staff Act, No. 35 of 2009, the position of Chief of Defence Staff is also set to be repealed under this Bill.Furthermore, upon the commencement of this Act, all movable and immovable property belonging to the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff will be transferred to the Ministry of Defence.
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