2023-10-11
Hon. Ajith Rajapakse, Deputy Speaker recently stated in Parliament that it is very important to strengthen the role of Parliament for policy making by using evaluations.
He mentioned the above while addressing the session held at the Parliament of Sri Lanka for the 2023 National Evaluation Week. Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Kabir Hashim, Member of Parliament and President, Global Parliamentarians Forum for Evaluation, Secretary of the Forum Member of Parliament Hon. Mayantha Dissanayake, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Chaminda Kularatne, president of the International Development Evaluation Association Ada Ocampo, Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program in Sri Lanka and Dr. Asela Kalugampitiya, President of the Sri Lanka Evaluation Association, were present at this occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Speaker mentioned that the Colombo Declaration on Evaluation signed in the Parliament of Sri Lanka in the context of Eval Colombo 2018 has become the main guideline for the institutionalization of evaluation in the Sri Lankan Parliament. He also mentioned that the institutionalization of evaluation based on the principles of that statement has already started.
The National Evaluation Policy was approved by the government in 2018, and the Deputy Speaker expressed his appreciation for the exemplary role played by a group of Parliamentarians in approving the National Evaluation Policy.
Speaking at the session, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Chaminda Kularatne stated that Sri Lanka is the first and only country in South Asia to have approved the National Evaluation Policy. The Deputy General Secretary also stated that the implementation of the National Evaluation Policy in Sri Lanka is commendable especially through the perfect vision, leadership and guidance of the President.
Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya, Chair of the Sub Committee on Identifying the Priorities in Formulation of Short-, Medium- & Long-Term National Policies of the National Council Hon. Namal Rajapaksa participated in the panel discussion held pertaining to the importance of institutionalizing evaluation in Parliament; Implementation of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Select Committee report.
The session was moderated by Hon. Thilakarajah and Ms. Rishmya Nutan, Public Outreach Officer of the Parliament.
2026-09-18
A delegation from the South Asia Parliamentary Group of the German Parliament visited the Parliament of Sri Lanka on 16 September 2026 as part of an official visit aimed at strengthening Parliamentary dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.The delegation was headed by Hon. Nicklas Kappe, Member of the German Parliament, and included Hon. Gerold Otten, Hon. Johann Saathoff and Hon. Ms. Ulle Schauws, Members of the German Parliament. The delegation was accompanied by Ms. Sarah Hasselbarth, Chargé d’Affaires; Ms. Katerina Bienert, Staff Member of the Parliamentary Secretariat and Ms. Dharini Daluwatte, Senior Advisor, Political Affairs.The Hon. Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvi Salih welcomed the delegation and hosted a luncheon meeting with members of the Sri Lanka - Germany Parliamentary Friendship Association. The Chair of the Friendship Association, the Hon. Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law, along with several other Members of Parliament, participated in the meeting. Acting Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Hansa Abeyrathne was also present.During the meeting, discussions focused on Parliamentary procedures and the committee system, enhancing women’s political participation and leadership, ensuring gender equality, and encouraging greater involvement of the younger generation in the political process. Views were also exchanged on the growing interest among young people in integrity and respect for the law. Discussions further addressed the resolution of ethnic and religious issues and the importance of building trust among all communities.Following the luncheon meeting, the delegation participated in a joint roundtable discussion with three Ministerial Consultative Committees and two Sectoral Oversight Committees. The participating committees were the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Energy, the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, and the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development.The Hon. Member of Parliament Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law, Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, and the Hon. Member of Parliament S. M. Marikkar, Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, together with several Members of Parliament representing the above Committees participated in the roundtable discussion. The Director Legislative Services Mr. M Jayalath Perera and a group of Parliamentary officials were also present.The Committees were invited to participate in the roundtable discussion in response to the areas of interest identified by the delegation, with the objective of facilitating a focused exchange of views on matters of mutual interest. The discussion provided an opportunity to share perspectives on the key roles, current activities and strategic priorities of the respective Committees. Among the areas discussed were waste management, water supply and treatment, power and energy, as well as other matters relating to economic and strategic development.The engagement provided a valuable platform for the exchange of experiences and perspectives between Parliamentarians of Sri Lanka and Germany and contributed to further strengthening Parliamentary dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding between the two countries.
2026-09-14
Acting Secretary-General of Parliament Mr. Hansa Abeyratne has informed the Chairman of the Election Commission that a vacancy has arisen in Parliament of a Member of Parliament following the resignation of M.S. Abdul Wahid, National List Hon. Member of Parliament representing the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress.In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Election Commission, the Acting Secretary General of Parliament stated that Mr. M.S. Abdul Wahid had submitted to him a letter of resignation from his office as a Member of Parliament.According to the letter submitted by Mr. M.S. Abdul Wahid, the resignation will take effect from 14 September 2026, the Acting Secretary General further stated.Accordingly, the Chairman of the Election Commission has been informed, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, that a vacancy has arisen in a seat of the Tenth Parliament.
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.
Handbook of Parliament
The System of Elections in Sri Lanka
How Parliament Works
Business of Parliament
Copyright © The Parliament of Sri Lanka.
All Rights Reserved.
Design & Developed by TekGeeks
