2023-01-05
Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Prime Minister requested from all parties on behalf of the Government and Parliament to join hands in working actively for the development of all sectors, prioritizing food security and the revival of the rural economy. He stated that working towards achieving such, should be done in strategies to strengthen the local economy that affects people's lives. The Prime Minister stated the above today (Jan. 05) in Parliament whilst extending his good wishes to the Hon. Speaker and all Members of Parliament.
Sri Lanka, which has enjoyed 91 years of universal suffrage, seeks the support of all Members of Parliament to further advance parliamentary democracy at the time when it is about to celebrate the 75th year of independence the Prime Minister added.
While stating that the government, including the President, has taken many measures regarding economic, social, legal and international relations, and has strengthened democracy by allowing criticism, the Prime Minister highlighted that though there are problems with the cost of living, Parliament should work together to transform this year into a year where everyone can come together to overcome challenges.
He further stated that the government has taken steps to strengthen the parliamentary committee system, which was a major demand in the past and affirmed that the adoption of the 21st Amendment will proceed accordingly. Furthermore, he stated that the support of all parties is necessary to carry forward the work of the National Council established on the basis of the all-party consensus of the Parliament.
The Prime Minister also stated:
“Hon. Speaker, first and foremost, we would like to wish the Hon. Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and all Hon. members on behalf of the government as we meet for the first time of the year 2023. Furthermore, as per the statements made by the Hon. President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament, I wish to express again the desire to work together as a united government and as a parliament to transform these challenges this year where we can overcome these challenges.
On this occasion, we wish you not only the best wishes for the new year, but let us dedicate ourselves towards building a better country in the face of various challenges. Let us work actively in developmental exercises for all other sectors, giving priority to food security and rural economic revival in particular. We appeal again on behalf of the government, to work hand in hand with the hope of the countrymen to rise as prosperous country in the new year by working within the strategies to strengthen the local economy that affects people's lives.
As our journey towards the celebration of the 75th Independence Day in less than a month this year, we request the support of all Members of Parliament to keep alive the 91 years of universal suffrage continued among the protecting of the democratic parliamentary system, the process taken by the people to form governments and decide the course of the governments in Sri Lanka.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, through the crisis’s occurred during the last period, Hon. President Ranil Wickremesinghe central government has made progress by taking many steps in terms of economic and social deterioration of the law, as well as to build the confidence and strength of the country that should be created internationally.
The democratic society has been strengthened by allowing criticisms and considering criticisms. There is a belief throughout the country that the month of July, which was in an economic crisis, has been changed and has been created to meet the needs of the people as at today.
There are cost of living issues, burdened by the cost-of-living increase, but we would like to reiterate the trust that the government have to go through the issues together and find solutions for everyone to rise from this challenge.
Also, one of the main demands of that period was that we should change the parliamentary committee system and take a new path. We hope again that the Parliament will work in 2023 to make the committee system established by the government to be maximally effective.
We would like to mention that we expect the cooperation of all parties in the Parliament to actively continue the activities of the committees that have been announced by the Speaker.
Also, the 21st Amendment, which was the subject of great constitutional controversy in the last period, was presented to the Parliament and passed, and the government committed itself to successfully carry out the measures that should be taken according to the said in the process of creating the necessary laws and provisions for its implementation. For that, I would like to appeal once again to the Parliament that all parties work together with agreement and commitment to act according to the constitution.
Moreover, while emphasizing the need and the support of the government and the opposition to activate the National Council, which was formed by the consensus of the Parliament and all parties, and to represent all the parties, I wish to also mention that we are commited to take action and deliver to build the future of our country, to transform our country's economy into a stronger one, the discussions that have been held internationally, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, as well as the groups that support us, and many countries especially like India, and China.
We hope for the support of all parties to make it a success very soon and at this time we will work for a journey where all the citizens of the country can overcome the challenge that will build the future of our country with the cooperation of all Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim citizens. In the midst of the difficulties faced by our country's farmers, fishermen and our national business community, who are going through the crisis and going through those challenges, as the national community, with the cooperation of the business community, we will work together for additional financial foreign exchange that we can win internationally to win economic production, exports that translate economic strength into a productive future.
As we have promised to the Parliament, I would like to mention again to the Parliament that we will present a very clear course of action according to the schedule for presenting every law agreed by the President in 2023 to the Parliament. In addition to the statement made by the President on this occasion, on behalf of the Parliament, we would like to express our condolences on the passing away of former Pope Benedict XVI.”
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.
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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