2022-11-28
A multi-party delegation from the Parliament of Sri Lanka and the Delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia in the European Parliament (DSAS) conducted a productive virtual dialogue on Thursday 17 November, 2022. The respective delegations to the meeting were led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka M.U.M. Ali Sabry and Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Chair of DSAS Nicola Procaccini. The virtual meeting was the first such dialogue to take place between the two Parliaments since the last in-person meeting in November 2017 in Colombo.
Highlighting the importance of the Sri Lanka-EU partnership, Foreign Minister Sabry welcomed the EU’s steadfast support to Sri Lanka in the process of socio-economic recovery, including in the provision of humanitarian assistance. Appreciating the support and solidarity extended by members of the Paris Club, the Foreign Minister apprised the MEPs of the current economic situation, negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), debt restructuring and discussions with creditors. The Minister also briefed the MEPs on recent developments in Sri Lanka including the 21st Amendment to the Constitution; anti-corruption measures; discussions on a suitable Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) model; the process of repeal and replacement of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) with appropriate counter-terrorism legislation in accordance with international norms and standards; the release of PTA detainees; and overall progress in reconciliation and human rights.
The EU Co-chair Nicola Procaccini welcomed progress in EU – Sri Lanka bilateral relations with reference to the multi-faceted thematic cooperation existing under the Joint Commission process, and support under the EU’s Multi-annual Indicative Programme (MIP). The EU assured of its continued support to Sri Lanka, and referred to the benefits accrued to Sri Lanka through the EU GSP Plus regime, as well as the country’s compliance process. The EU being Sri Lanka’s second largest export market, the Foreign Minister expressed the Government’s deep appreciation of the GSP Plus concessions which provide duty free access for Sri Lanka’s exports to the EU market.
The discussion also focused on the EU’s wider engagement with Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean; cooperation related to climate action; and the disproportionate impact of the global pandemic and rising energy, fertilizer and food prices on developing country economies.
The MPs from Sri Lanka in their respective interventions welcomed the various aspects of Sri Lanka’s cooperation with the EU. They highlighted the importance of the EU GSP Plus facility for Sri Lanka, especially in the current socio-economic context. An MP representing the Women’s Caucus in Parliament pointed to the contribution of GSP Plus in the empowerment of women at grass-roots level, and the employment opportunities provided to women in the apparel and other sectors. The contribution of the EU countries to Sri Lanka’s foreign direct investment and tourism were also appreciated.
The EU Co-chair welcomed the varying interventions by the cross-party MPs from Sri Lanka, as well as the frank exchange of views. The two sides reiterated their shared commitment to further strengthen cooperation between the Sri Lanka and EU Parliaments.
Nineteen (19) MPs representing the Government and the Opposition parties of Sri Lanka, i.e., the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), including the State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya, participated in the virtual meeting. Interventions by MEPs included that of MEP Maximilian Krah representing the Committee on International Trade (INTA) in the European Parliament. The Head of South Asia Division of the European External Action Service (EEAS) also spoke.
The Ambassadors of Sri Lanka to the EU and of the EU to Sri Lanka, Secretary General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka were also associated with the meeting.
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 2025.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.
2026-09-09
The Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated in Parliament that plans have been prepared to modernize the Government Printing Corporation by gradually phasing out old and outdated machinery that has been in use for more than 50 years and procuring efficient equipment equipped with modern technology.She further stated that the modernization programme aims to establish a modern printing unit equipped with advanced technology, capable of targeting international markets and providing Smart Security Printing capabilities.The Prime Minister made these remarks in response to Questions for Oral Answers raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Major General (Retired) G.D. Sooriyabandara.The Prime Minister stated that the Government Printing Corporation currently employs 445 permanent employees, along with a further 21 employees on a contractual basis.She further noted that the printing facility of the Government Printing Corporation, which is currently operational in Wataraka, Padukka, carries out printing work based on orders received from the Government. These services include the printing of school textbooks and modules, as well as security printing, including the printing of provincial examination papers, lottery tickets and confidential documents.In addition, the Corporation undertakes the printing of SPC exercise books, printing requirements of various government institutions, other commercial printing work, private printing orders and election-related printing. The Corporation also maintains a network of SPC outlets across several districts of the country, the Prime Minister said.The Prime Minister also pointed out that the Government derives numerous benefits from having a printing institution operating under the Ministry.Accordingly, these benefits include the presence of the Government Printing Corporation as a factor that helps regulate market prices, maintain market standards and quality, meet the requirement for a reliable Security Printing facility, and maintain the Corporation as the only state-owned enterprise in the printing sector.She further highlighted the Corporation’s role in meeting the need for large-scale printing capacity, ensuring access to government-owned printing facilities, and reducing the costs associated with printing activities.Furthermore, the Prime Minister emphasized that the continued existence of the Government Printing Corporation provides employment opportunities as a state institution, maintains a skilled and trained workforce, and enables the Government to derive financial benefits as its state share.
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.
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