2022-10-07
The Parliamentary Council agreed to the recommendation by the Hon. President to appoint Hon. B.P. Aluwihare, PC, judge of the Supreme Court to act in the post of the Chief Justice given the period from 08.10.2022 to 13.10.2022 in which Hon. Jayantha Jayasuriya President’s PC, Chief Justice would be overseas. The approval was given on yesterday (Oct. 06).
Furthermore, the nomination of Retired DIG Mr. P. J. K. S. W. Wickramasinghe to the vacant post of the member of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP).
Prime Minister Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena and Minister Hon. Douglas Devananda were present at the Parliamentary Council chaired by the Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana.
2026-09-08
Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka”The Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (Sep. 08) announced in Parliament that he had received the Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka” which was challenged in the Supreme Court in terms of Articles 121 (1) of the Constitution. Accordingly, the Supreme Court has determined that; (i) Clause 3(i) of the Bill is vague and is therefore inconsistent with Articles 12(1) and 14(1)(g) of the Constitution and may only be passed by the special majority required under Article 84(2) of the Constitution. The inconsistency would cease if the said clause is deleted.(ii) Clause 4(o) of the Bill is inconsistent with Articles 12(1) and 14(1)(g) of the Constitution and may only be passed by the special majority required under Article 84(2) of the Constitution. The inconsistency would cease if the said clause is amended as proposed by the Court.(iii) Clause 5(4)(b) of the Bill is inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution and may only be passed by the special majority required under Article 84(2) of the Constitution. The inconsistency would cease if the clause 5 is amended as proposed by the Court.(iv) The rest of the clauses of the Bill are not inconsistent with the Constitution.Petitions filed at the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121(1) of the Constitution, in respect of the Bill titled “Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution”The Hon. Speaker also informed the Parliament that, he had received copies of petitions filed at the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121(1) of the Constitution, in respect of the Bill titled “Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution” as mentioned below, in addition to the receipt of nine Petitions mentioned in his announcements dated 19th, 20th & 21st of August 2026: —• Seven Petitions on 21st of August 2026• Four Petitions on 24th of August 2026• Eight Petitions on 25th of August 2026• Five Petitions on 28th of August 2026• Thirty-one Petitions on 31st of August 2026• Ten Petitions on 01st of September 2026• Three Petitions on 03rd of September 2026• Two Petitions on 04th of September 2026Petitions filed at the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Anti-Corruption (Amendment)”The Hon Speaker announced that he had received copies of fifteen petitions filed at the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121(1) of the Constitution in respect of the Bill titled “Anti-Corruption (Amendment)”.Petitions filed at the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Judicature (Amendment)”The Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne further informed the Parliament that he had received seven more copies of Petitions filed at the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121(1) of the Constitution in respect of the Bill titled “Judicature (Amendment)”, in addition to the receipt of the Petition mentioned in his announcement dated 19th of August 2026.
2026-09-08
Hon. Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne endorsed the certificate on the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill today (Sep. 08).The Bill, which seeks to amend the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act No. 47 of 1956, was presented to Parliament by the Minister of Labour and was passed by Parliament on the 20th August.The primary objective of this amendment is to update the fines imposed for offences under the Act relating to the employment of women, young persons and children, in order to bring them in line with current circumstances.The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act No. 47 of 1956 completely prohibits the employment of children under the age of 16. As the fines that may be imposed by a court for offences under the Act are no longer adequate in view of prevailing socio-economic conditions, the new amendment provides for the revision of those fines. Accordingly, the Bill has been introduced to increase the fines imposed for offences under the Women, Young Persons and Children (Employment) Act No. 47 of 1956, from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 100,000.Accordingly, the Bill will come into force as the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Act No. 21 of 2026.
2026-09-01
Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka accompanied by Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna, Member of Parliament, successfully participated in the 2nd Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC-2) held from 26 to 28, August 2026, at the GDT Convention Centre in Phnom Penh, The Kingdom of Cambodia. Hosted jointly by the Senate and the National Assembly of Cambodia, the prestigious global forum brought together legislative leaders, heads of international organizations, and Parliamentary delegations from Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Oceania, and Latin America. The conference convened under the theme, “Solidarity for Peace and Shared Prosperity: Strengthening International Law and Resolving Conflicts Peacefully”. The official proceedings commenced following a royal audience with His Majesty King Preah Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace, alongside courtesy call with the President of the Senate and Chairman of the ISC-2, Hon. Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen. The Programme also included a courtesy call with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Hon. Samdech Mohaborvor Thipadei Hun Manet. Addressing the high-level General Debate, Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, Speaker championed Parliamentary diplomacy as a critical, resilient complement to traditional statecraft. He emphasized that legislative bodies must act as guardians of democracy and rule of law, keeping communication channels open to build trust even during times of severe political friction. The Speaker firmly asserted that true, lasting peace cannot exist merely as the absence of war; rather, it demands a foundation built on justice, mutual respect, and inclusive development that leaves no citizen behind. Highlighting Sri Lanka's strategic maritime location, the Hon. Speaker reiterated the nation’s historic foreign policy rooted in non-alignment, friendship, and peaceful coexistence. He stressed that borderless modern crises including climate change, cybercrime, and food insecurity cannot be tackled by any nation in isolation, demanding unified regional and international solidarity. Concluding his remarks, Hon. (Dr.) Wickramaratne pledged Sri Lanka’s unwavering support for the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, framing the achievement of these global goals as the ultimate vehicle for achieving widespread social justice and shared economic prosperity. During his stay in Cambodia, Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, held a bilateral meeting with Hon. Milton Dick, Speaker of the Parliament of Australia. The two Speakers discussed matters of mutual interest and explored avenues for further strengthening Parliamentary cooperation and the longstanding relations between Sri Lanka and Australia. They also exchanged views on enhancing collaboration between the two Parliaments through greater engagement and the sharing of Parliamentary experiences and best practices. Hon. Speaker Wickramaratne also met with Rt. Hon. Narayan Prasad Dahal, Chairperson of the National Assembly of Nepal. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the longstanding and cordial relations between Sri Lanka and Nepal, with particular emphasis on further strengthening bilateral Parliamentary relations. They also exchanged views on enhancing cooperation between the two legislatures and promoting greater interaction and collaboration in areas of mutual interest. The conference concluded with the formal adoption of the landmark Phnom Penh Declaration, cementing a unified legislative framework to peacefully resolve international differences. Closing remarks were delivered by the President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, Hon. Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary.
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.
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