2023-05-25
Many Members of the Parliament representing the Government and the Opposition parties expressed their views in the Parliament today (May 25), appreciating the services of Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake, the former Secretary General of the Parliament, who retired from service on the 23rd.
In accordance to the customs and traditions of Parliament, when a Secretary General of the Parliament retires, time is allocated for the presenting of a Vote of Appreciation. Accordingly, time of 9.30 am - 12.30 pm was reserved for the vote to appreciate the service rendered by the former Secretary General Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake. Accordingly, with the permission of the House, the Hon. Speaker invited the former Secretary General to a seat in the secretarial panel below the Speaker's seat.
Accordingly, the Vote of Appreciation on Retiring Secretary-General of Parliament was moved by Hon. (Dr.) Susil Premajayantha, the Leader of the House.
Presenting the vote, the Leader of the House said that this Parliament highly appreciates valuable service rendered by Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake for 29 years and his extensive knowledge about the procedures and practices of the Parliament. Moreover, he added that his strong commitment in the performance of his duties and the excellent contribution in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association as the Asian Regional Secretary and outside of it and in various parliamentary associations are gratefully acknowledged.
Addressing the House, Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Prime Minister said that the former Secretary General had the ability to face various challenging times in the Parliament independently and in the strongest manner. The Prime Minister pointed out that he managed to protect the independence and dignity of the Parliament under seven Speakers as well as in many governments.
Also, Hon. Ajith Rajapakse, Deputy Speaker said that the former Secretary General had the ability to meticulously manage the most challenging situations he had to face during his tenure, including the election of the President by the Parliament.
Hon. Sajith Premadasa, the Leader of the Opposition pointed out that the former Secretary General played an excellent role in the establishment of the Sectoral Oversight Committees of Parliament, including more democratic measures. The opposition leader also requested the former Secretary General to publish a book that would be useful for future generations based on his experiences. He also said that he wishes him the best for his future work as the secretary of the Constitutional Council.
Also, the Hon. Lakshman Kiriella, the Chief Opposition Whip also congratulated and said that the excellent service of Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake is commendable.
Former Speaker, Member of Parliament Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, while speaking, said that the former Secretary General was highly respected and recognized in international conferences and events, including the Commonwealth Parliamentarians' Conference. Moreover, the former Speaker recalled that when there was a flood in the Parliament, he used to conduct Parliamentary sessions by using candlelight and he was a great strength in every challenging situation.
Thereafter, many members of the Government and the Opposition expressed their wishes while appreciating the service of the former Secretary General. Many Members pointed out that he was able to deal impartially and directly by managing the pressure from all sides of the Government and the opposition in Parliament and thus his excellent service is commendable.
Mrs. Salini Nilmalgoda, the wife of the former Secretary General, relatives including children also joined to watch the event from the special guests' gallery.
A brief introduction about former Secretary General Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake
Having schooled from D.S. Senanayake College and form Royal College, Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake completed his Bachelors of Laws (LLB) and Masters of Laws (LLM) from the University of Colombo. After being sworn in as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, he became the Legal Adviser (Research) for the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau since 1988.
Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake joined the service of the Attorney General's Department as a State Counsel in 1989 and has carried out cases on behalf of the government in many High Courts including Galle, Colombo, Gampaha, Ratnapura, Halawatha, Panadura, Negombo and Avissawella. Furthermore, he has represented the government in many cases pertaining to the violations of fundamental rights assigned before the Supreme Court as well as many criminal appeals assigned before the Court of Appeal.
Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake, who started his Parliamentary career as the Assistant Secretary General of the Parliament in 1994, became the Deputy Secretary General of the Parliament in 2003 and was promoted to the position of Secretary General of the Parliament in 2012.
During his long years in parliamentary service, Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake has contributed to many domestic and international diplomatic activities and he has represented Sri Lanka in many conferences of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and SAARC Parliamentary Association.
He has been a member of the working committee representing the South Asian region of the Parliamentary Secretaries General Forum of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the secretary of the South Asian Regional Secretaries General Forum during the period 2010-2012, and the secretary of the SAARC Speakers and Members of Parliament Forum. Moreover, in the year 2000, the Commonwealth Foundation has awarded Mr. Dasanayake with a scholarship in Parliamentary Administration.
Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake retired on 22.05.2023 as the 6th General Secretary of the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka after completing 29 years of parliamentary service.
2026-09-11
H.E. Wei Huaxiang, the newly appointed Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, at the Parliament premises recently (Sep. 10). Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera was also present at the meeting.The Hon. Speaker warmly welcomed Ambassador H.E. Wei Huaxiang and congratulated him on his appointment, while reaffirming the longstanding friendship and close relations between Sri Lanka and China.The Hon. Speaker expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the continued support extended by China to Sri Lanka as a true friend, particularly during various challenging periods, including the country’s recent economic crisis. He also appreciated China’s assistance following the recent Ditwah Cyclone and its continued support for the people of Sri Lanka, including the provision of school uniform material.Highlighting the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, the Hon. Speaker noted the steps taken to strengthen cooperation between the two Parliaments, including parliamentary exchange programmes. He said further initiatives and future programmes would be pursued through the Sri Lanka–China Parliamentary Friendship Association to further deepen relations between the two countries.The Hon. Speaker also briefed the Ambassador on the Government’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and advance national reconciliation. He observed that cooperation between Sri Lanka and China has expanded into a wide range of sectors under the Belt and Road Initiative, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries.Ambassador Wei Huaxiang thanked the Hon. Speaker for the warm welcome and said he had been deeply impressed by the friendliness and smiles of the Sri Lankan people. Referring to Sri Lanka as a “beautiful Island of Smiles,” he expressed his appreciation for the warmth and hospitality extended to him since his arrival in the country.The Ambassador highlighted the longstanding historical ties between China and Sri Lanka, noting the centuries of maritime and cultural exchanges between the two nations. He said bilateral relations had continued to strengthen since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka.Referring to recent high-level engagements, Ambassador Wei noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping had met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Dr.Harini Amarasuriya during their respective visits to China in 2025. He said these high-level engagements had provided new strategic direction for the further development of bilateral relations.The Ambassador stated that China regards Sri Lanka as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and expressed China’s readiness to further strengthen cooperation in support of Sri Lanka’s economic development and efforts to improve the livelihoods of its people.Both sides also highlighted the significance of 2027, when Sri Lanka and China will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of the Rubber-Rice Pact.Ambassador Wei Huaxiang further expressed his commitment to working towards strengthening the long-standing friendship between the two countries, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese institutions and citizens in Sri Lanka.
2026-09-11
Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution to be Debated on September 24 and 25The Parliamentary Business for the next Parliamentary Week, scheduled to be held from September 22 to 25, has been decided.The decisions were taken at the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held yesterday (Sep. 10), under the chairmanship of the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.On each day that Parliament meets, the period from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for Parliamentary Business specified under Standing Orders 22(1) to 22(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).Accordingly, on Tuesday, September 22, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the Orders published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2497/37 under the Petroleum Resources Act and the Promotion of Export Agriculture (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading) will be taken up for debate at.Thereafter, at 5.00 p.m., the Tredso Development Foundation (Incorporation) Bill, a Private Member’s Bill, is scheduled to be taken up for Second Reading and thereafter referred to the Legislative Standing Committee.From 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., an Motion at the Adjournment Time moved by the Opposition is scheduled to be taken up for debate.On Wednesday, September 23, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the debate on the Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka Bill (Second Reading) will be held.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 24, from 11.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m., time has been allocated for the Second Reading debate on the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill.It was agreed that the two-day debate would be held subject to the Hon. Speaker making an announcement to Parliament following the delivery of the Supreme Court determination on the petitions filed against the respective Bills under Article 121 of the Constitution.On Friday, September 25, from 11.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m., it has been decided to continue the Second Reading debate on the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill for the second day.
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.
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