2022-11-25
News Categories : News
• Saturday, December 10th set aside for Question for Oral Answers
It was decided to hold the debate on the Second Reading of the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill and Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bills on December 09th. This was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business held today (Nov. 25) under the chairmanship of Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker of Parliament.
Accordingly, The Secretary General stated that time is allotted from 9.30 am to 10.30 am for Questions for Oral Answers on the 9th, and from 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. the said Bills are scheduled to be taken up for debate. Furthermore, the Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Government is scheduled from 5.00 p.m. – 5.30 p.m. on the same day.
The entire day on December 09th was reserved for Questions for Oral Answers previously. However, it was decided to hold it on December 10th.
Furthermore, post the committee stage debate on the Appropriation Bill 2023 scheduled on the 30th, the Second Reading of the Appropriation (Amendment) Bill related to the fiscal year 2022 and the Resolution under the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance are to be presented in Parliament for approval.
2026-06-17
The Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, endorsed the certificate on the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill today (Jun. 17).The Bill was first read in Parliament on 17 March 2026 and was subsequently passed by Parliament following a debate held on 6 May 2026. The Act provides for the amendment of the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Act, the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007, the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, and the Mediation Boards Act, No. 72 of 1988, while repealing the Insolvency Ordinance (Chapter 97).The Act introduces specific procedures relating to personal insolvency, including provisions for debt protection, moratoria, and debt restructuring, while ensuring the protection of a debtor’s reasonable income and essential assets.In addition, the legislation addresses matters relating to corporate governance, receivership, and cross-border insolvency, with a view to enhancing predictability and confidence in the credit market.The Act is also intended to provide a fresh start for honest individual debtors and establish a structured mechanism for the rehabilitation of distressed but fundamentally viable companies.Accordingly, the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill shall come into force as the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Act, No. 12 of 2026.
2026-06-12
Hon. Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih emphasized that the student community, who are the leaders of tomorrow, must respect their elders, safeguard ethical values, and act as honest citizens.The Deputy Speaker made these remarks while participating as the Special Guest at the inaugural sitting of the Student Parliament of Vidyartha College, Kandy, held recently at the historic Old Parliament Chamber located within the Presidential Secretariat.The programme was jointly organized by Vidyartha College, Kandy, the Presidential Secretariat and the Department of Communications of the Parliament of Sri Lanka with the objective of providing students with practical exposure to parliamentary affairs and an understanding of the democratic governance process.Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Speaker stated that it is essential to cultivate discipline, responsibility, and leadership qualities from the student stage itself. He further noted that the public also has an important role to play in ensuring that individuals elected as representatives of the people become ethical, responsible and law-abiding persons.Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, explained the services provided by the President’s Fund for students and the general public. He stated that assistance could be obtained through the President’s Fund for various needs, including educational requirements and that these services have been brought closer to the people through Divisional Secretariat offices.Mr. M. Jayalath Perera, Director of Legislative Services of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, briefed the students on the structure, functions, and parliamentary procedures of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.Mr. Chandana Sooriyabandara, Media Adviser to the President, spoke on the importance of developing the knowledge and skills required to successfully face the competitive world in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).Thereafter, the inaugural sitting of the Student Parliament commenced, during which the Speaker was elected and Members took their oaths. Students holding ministerial portfolios presented to the House the programmes and development proposals they expected to implement within the school through their respective ministries.Certificates were also presented to the participating students by the Hon. Deputy Speaker and other distinguished guests. At the conclusion of the programme, Mr. M.A.S. Srilal, Principal of Vidyartha College, delivered the vote of thanks.The programme was organized as another successful step in the series of Student Parliament programmes jointly implemented by the Presidential Secretariat and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Air Commodore Asiri Gallage, Director of the Tri-Forces Coordination Unit of the Presidential Secretariat, Lieutenant Colonel Nadeeka Dangolla, Assistant Director, Mr. Samantha Mallawaarachchi, Director (Communication) of Parliament, as well as members of the teaching staff, parents, and students of Vidyartha College were also present at the occasion.
2026-06-11
The Sri Lankan Parliamentary delegation, which participated in the Workshop for Members of Parliament of Sri Lanka in the People’s Republic of China, returned to Sri Lanka on 05th June 2026 upon the successful completion of its official programme.The delegation, led by Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathna, M.P., Deputy Minister of Mass Media, participated in the programme conducted by the International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China from 26th May to 04th June 2026.During the course of the visit, the delegation participated in sessions conducted by senior Chinese academics, researchers, and officials on China’s governance framework, development strategy, democratic consultation mechanisms, and national policy direction.The delegation also undertook official visits to key national institutions, including the National People’s Congress (NPC) Conference Hall and the Great Hall of the People. In addition, it attended a reception hosted by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing on 29th May 2026 to mark International Tea Day, highlighting Sri Lanka’s rich tea heritage and its contribution to cultural and economic ties.The programme continued in Shenzhen and later in Guangzhou, where the delegation visited institutions and development projects in the fields of smart infrastructure, advanced technology, communications, agriculture, and new energy industries.The Workshop provided a valuable platform for enhancing parliamentary diplomacy, institutional exchange, and knowledge-sharing between Sri Lanka and the People’s Republic of China, further strengthening the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries.
2026-06-10
A programme to brief Hon. Members of Parliament on Sri Lanka’s current monetary policy, exchange rate policy and the country’s economic situation was held in Parliament today (10th June).The programme was conducted under the patronage of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. Resource persons included the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, together with a group of senior officials from the Central Bank.During the session, Members of Parliament were briefed on the current monetary policy in the country, the behavior of the exchange rate, economic stability and matters relating to the economic progress of Sri Lanka. Central Bank officials also responded to questions and comments raised by Members, providing clarifications and explanations.The event was attended by the Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara, Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, Hon. Members of Parliament and the Secretary General of Parliament (Ms.) Kushani Rohanadeera and several other officials.
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