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.
2026-05-08
Viet Nam President Holds Discussions with Hon. Speaker and Sri Lanka - Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Association to Strengthen Bilateral RelationsThe President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, His Excellency To Lam, visited the Parliament of Sri Lanka today (08) and delivered a special address to Members of Parliament, reaffirming the longstanding friendship and growing Comprehensive Partnership between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka. Addressing Members of Parliament, President To Lam highlighted Viet Nam’s development journey, the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, and the shared commitment of both countries towards peace, sustainable development, regional cooperation and people-centered growth.President To Lam arrived at the Parliamentary Complex at 11.05 a.m. and was received by the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne and the Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera. The President was ceremonially escorted into the Parliament Building by the Serjeant-at-Arms Mr. Kushan Jayaratna, the Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms Mr. Achintha Cooray and Assistant Serjeant-at-Arms Mr. Lakmal Kadigamuwa.A cordial bilateral meeting was subsequently held between President To Lam and the Hon. Speaker of Parliament, reaffirming the longstanding bilateral relations and strengthening Parliamentary cooperation between the two countries. The Hon. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Dr. Rizvie Salih, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka – Viet Nam Friendship Association and Hon. Minister of Environment, Dr. Dammika Patabendi, Secretary-General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera and Assistant Secretary-General Mr. Hansa Abeyratna also participated in the discussions.During the meeting, both parties assured the deep-rooted friendship and longstanding diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Viet Nam. Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne emphasized the importance of further strengthening bilateral engagement, particularly through Parliamentary exchanges under the Sri Lanka – Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Association.President To Lam expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to address the Parliament of Sri Lanka and extended an invitation to the Hon. Speaker and a Parliamentary delegation to visit Viet Nam to further enhance collaboration and mutual engagement. The President also commended Sri Lanka’s political stability and ongoing development efforts, while reiterating Viet Nam’s support and the importance of strengthening Parliamentary diplomacy between the two nations.President To Lam also signed the Special Visitors’ Book of Parliament.President To Lam entered the Chamber at 11.35 am and took his seat in the specially designated chair placed near the Speaker’s Chair. He delivered his special address to Parliament at 11.40 a.m. Following the address by President To Lam, statements were delivered by the Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and the Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa. After the temporary suspension of the House, President To Lam departed the Parliamentary Complex at 12.30 p.m.
2026-05-07
The President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, His Excellency To Lam, is scheduled to visit the Parliament of Sri Lanka tomorrow (08) and deliver a special address to Members of Parliament.President To Lam is expected to arrive at the Parliamentary Complex at 11.05 a.m. tomorrow, where he will be received by the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne and the Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera. Following the reception, a brief meeting between the President of Viet Nam and the Hon. Speaker has been arranged. The Chairman of the Sri Lanka -Viet Nam Friendship Association Hon. Minister of Environment (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi and the Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, will also participate in this occasion.During the visit, the President of Viet Nam is also scheduled to sign the special visitors’ book of Parliament.Thereafter, President To Lam will enter the Chamber and take his seat in the specially designated chair placed near the Speaker’s Chair. He is scheduled to deliver his special address to Parliament at 11.40 a.m. Accordingly; this will mark the first occasion since 2015 that a Head of State addresses the Parliament of Sri Lanka.Following the address by the President of Viet Nam, statements are scheduled to be delivered by the Hon. Prime Minister and the Hon. Leader of the Opposition. After the temporary suspension of the House, the President of Viet Nam will depart from the Parliamentary Complex.
2026-05-07
The Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Sri Lanka, H.E. Ms. Patricia Lázara Pego Guerra, paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, at the Parliament of Sri Lanka yesterday (May 06). The Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, was also present on the occasion.During the meeting, both parties reaffirmed the longstanding and cordial relations between Sri Lanka and Cuba, highlighting over 65 years of strong and friendly bilateral ties.The Hon. Speaker congratulated the Ambassador on her recent appointment and recalled the enduring friendship between the two nations. He also paid tribute to distinguished Cuban leaders, including Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, acknowledging their contributions to strengthening international solidarity.The Speaker expressed sincere appreciation for Cuba’s consistent support for Sri Lanka at multilateral forums, particularly at successive sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council, where Cuba has delivered statements in support of Sri Lanka.He further commended Cuba’s advanced medical sector and shared his personal experiences with Cuban doctors who served in Sri Lanka with exceptional dedication and compassion during his time as a medical student. The Speaker extended his gratitude to the Government of Cuba for its assistance in combating dengue in Sri Lanka and sought continued support in developing Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector, particularly through access to advanced Cuban medical technology.Emphasizing the importance of Parliamentary diplomacy, the Speaker noted the potential to further strengthen bilateral cooperation through the Sri Lanka - Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Association across multiple sectors.Ambassador Pego Guerra reaffirmed Cuba’s enduring friendship and continued support for Sri Lanka. She commended the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts in governance, particularly its effective response in mitigating the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. The Ambassador extended an invitation to the Hon. Speaker to visit Cuba with a Parliamentary delegation to further enhance bilateral relations.Discussions also focused on expanding cooperation in areas such as education through Cuban scholarship programmes, development of the sports sector, and collaboration in the plantation industry for mutual benefit.Following the meeting, the Ambassador met with a group of members of the Sri Lanka - Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Association and held cordial discussions on further strengthening bilateral relations.
2026-05-06
Hon. Speaker of Parliament (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne met with the Maldivian President H.E. (Dr.) Mohamed Muizzu recently. Hon. Speaker warmly received the Maldivian President and his accompanying delegation at the Hilton Hotel Colombo, during the President’s first State Visit to Sri Lanka. The Hon. Speaker noted that the visit reflects the close and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives and expressed confidence that bilateral relations would be further strengthened through continued cooperation.Recalling the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, both sides reaffirmed their strong historical, cultural, and people-to-people ties.Attention was also drawn to the importance of Parliamentary diplomacy, with the Hon. Speaker highlighting the role of the Sri Lanka–Maldives Parliamentary Friendship Association in fostering closer engagement between the two legislatures.Discussions further covered economic cooperation and national priorities, including good governance, transparency, anti-corruption efforts, and digital transformation aimed at enhancing efficiency and economic resilience.The Hon. Speaker also emphasized the strong people-to-people linkages between the two countries, noting the presence of Maldivian students in Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka’s contribution to the Maldivian hospitality sector, while appreciating the support extended to Sri Lankans residing in the Maldives. He further acknowledged the continued cooperation in addressing maritime-related matters involving Sri Lankan fishermen.The President of the Maldives reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between the two nations and expressed commitment to further strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation.The meeting was attended by the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Maldives, H.E. Rizvi Hassen; Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera; and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Parliament Secretariat.
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